James Glaisher

Born in London in 1809, James Glaisher worked in observational science from an early age, including posts connected with the Cambridge and Greenwich observatories. At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, he became closely involved with meteorology and magnetism, helping to organize and expand systematic weather recording at a time when the field was still taking shape.

He is best remembered for his balloon ascents with aeronaut Henry Tracey Coxwell. Their flights were designed to measure temperature, humidity, and other atmospheric conditions high above the ground, and they became famous both for their scientific value and their danger. One ascent in 1862 reached such an extreme height that Glaisher lost consciousness, and Coxwell had to bring the balloon down alone.

Glaisher was also active in British scientific life beyond ballooning, publishing widely and supporting learned societies. He lived a long life, dying in 1903, and is still remembered as one of the key figures who brought careful measurement and public excitement together in the early history of weather science.