An Invaluable Resource: The ‘Tebbutt Collection’ in the Mitchell Library, Sydney

  • Wayne Orchiston
Chapter
First Online:
Part of the Historical & Cultural Astronomy book series (HCA)

Abstract

This chapter, which is largely based on Orchiston, discusses the ‘Tebbutt Collection’, a unique assemblage of letters, observing notebooks, astronomical diaries, meteorological measurement and other records that was donated to the Mitchell Library in Sydney in 1917 by one of John Tebbutt’s sons, after his father’s death. This is an invaluable resource for those who wish to research the history of the nineteenth century Australian astronomy, and it also throws some light on the state of British, South African and New Zealand astronomy at this time.

Keywords

Journal Entry Variable Star Double Star Minor Planet Lunar Occultation 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

Notes

Acknowledgements

I am grateful to Professor Nick Lomb (University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba) and the staff at the Mitchell Library for their assistance and for kindly supplying Fig. 2.5.

References1

  1. Brooks, J. (1897). Letter to John Tebbutt, dated 13 December. In TL.Google Scholar
  2. Campbell, R. (2001). Arthur Beverly 1822–1907. Southern Stars, 40 (3), 23–24.MathSciNetGoogle Scholar
  3. Challis, J. (1879). Lectures on Practical Astronomy and Astronomical Instruments. London: Deighton, Bell and Co.Google Scholar
  4. Débarbat, S. (2002). The IAU, astronomical archives and Commissions 41 and the ICHA. Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage, 5, 181–183.ADSGoogle Scholar
  5. Dick, J.A. (1897). Letter to John Tebbutt, dated 11 December. In TL.Google Scholar
  6. Fire at Windsor. Daily Telegraph, 11 December 1897.Google Scholar
  7. Gale, W. (1897). Letter to John Tebbutt, dated 13 December. In TL.Google Scholar
  8. Irvine, K. (1990). Letter to Wayne Orchiston, dated 13 November. In Orchiston Collection.Google Scholar
  9. Knibbs, G.H. (1897). Letter to John Tebbutt, dated 11 December. In TL.Google Scholar
  10. Merfield, C.J. (1897). Letter to John Tebbutt, dated 16 December. In TL.Google Scholar
  11. Mourot, S. (1973). Astronomical archives in Australia (1). Journal for the History of Astronomy, 4, 66–68.ADSCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  12. Mr. Hugh Wright. Distinguished Librarian to retire. The Sydney Morning Herald, 27 September 1924, page 8.Google Scholar
  13. Orchiston, W. (1982). Illuminating incidents in Antipodean astronomy: John Tebbutt and the abortive Australian association of comet observers. Astronomical Society of Victoria, 35, 70–83.ADSGoogle Scholar
  14. Orchiston, W. (1985a). The contribution of Alfred Barrett Biggs to Australian and Tasmanian astronomy. Records of the Queen Victoria Museum, 89, 1–28.Google Scholar
  15. Orchiston, W. (1985b). A survey of manuscript material in the Mitchell Library (Sydney) relating to the history of astronomy in New Zealand. Southern Stars, 31, 225–238.ADSGoogle Scholar
  16. Orchiston, W. (1986). Taking Stock of early astronomy books. Southern Stars, 31, 326–328.ADSGoogle Scholar
  17. Orchiston, W. (1988). Illuminating incidents in Antipodean astronomy: formation of the New South Wales Branch of the British Astronomical Association. Journal of the British Astronomical Association, 98, 75–84.ADSGoogle Scholar
  18. Orchiston, W. (1993). John Grigg, and the genesis of cometary astronomy in New Zealand. Journal of the British Astronomical Association, 103, 67–76.ADSGoogle Scholar
  19. Orchiston, W. (1995). John Grigg, and the development of astrophotography in New Zealand. Australian Journal of Astronomy, 6, 1–14.ADSGoogle Scholar
  20. Orchiston, w. (1997). The role of the amateur in popularising astronomy: an Australian case study. Australian Journal of Astronomy, 7, 33–66.ADSGoogle Scholar
  21. Orchiston, W. (1998a). Illuminating incidents in Antipodean astronomy: John Tebbutt and the Great Comet of 1861. Irish Astronomical Journal, 25, 167–178.ADSGoogle Scholar
  22. Orchiston, W. (1998b). Nautical Astronomy in New Zealand. The Voyages of James Cook. Wellington: Carter Observatory (Occasional Papers No. 1).Google Scholar
  23. Orchiston, W. (1999a). C/1881 K1: a forgotten “Great Comet” of the nineteenth century. Irish Astronomical Journal, 26, 33–44.ADSGoogle Scholar
  24. Orchiston, W. (1999b). Comets and communication:amateur-professional tension in Australian astronomy. Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia, 16, 212–221.ADSCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  25. Orchiston, W. (2000). John Tebbutt of Windsor, New South Wales: a pioneer southern hemisphere vartiable star observer. Irish Astronomical Journal, 27, 47–54.ADSGoogle Scholar
  26. Orchiston, W. (2001). The Thames observatories of John Grigg. Southern Stars, 40 (1), 14–22.Google Scholar
  27. Orchiston, W. (2004a). An introduction to the astronomical archives of Australia and New Zealand. Journal of Astronomical Data, 10, 67–76.ADSGoogle Scholar
  28. Orchiston, W. (2004b). Highlighting the history of nineteenth century Australian astronomy: the Tebbutt Collection in the Mitchell Library, Sydney. Journal of Astronomical Data, 10, 77–103.ADSGoogle Scholar
  29. Orchiston, W. (2004c). The nineteenth century transits of Venus: an Australian and New Zealand overview. Journal of Astronomical Data, 10, 219–308.ADSGoogle Scholar
  30. Orchiston, W. (2016). Exploring the History of New Zealand Astronomy: Trials, Tribulations, Telescopes and Transits. Cham: Springer.Google Scholar
  31. Reports of the Branches. New South Wales Branch. Journal of the British Astronomical Association, 5, 243–245 (1895).Google Scholar
  32. Reports of the Branches. New South Wales Branch (Sydney). Journal of the British Astronomical Association, 7, 376–378 (1897).Google Scholar
  33. Russell, H.C. (1863). Letter to John Tebbutt, dated 13 February. In TL.Google Scholar
  34. Tebbutt, J. (n.d.).Tebbutt Papers. Miscellaneous MSS, Mitchell Library (A3775).Google Scholar
  35. Tebbutt, J. (1853–1859). Observations made by John Tebbutt Jun r . at the Peninsula, near Windsor, in the Colony of New South Wales, during the years 1853, 1854, 1855, 1856, 1857, 1858, and 1859. MS, Mitchell Library (A3745−1).Google Scholar
  36. Tebbutt, J. (1863). Diary. MS, Mitchell Library (A3786).Google Scholar
  37. Tebbutt, J. (1864–1869). Journal. Observatory, Peninsula, Windsor, New South Wales. MS, Mitchell Library (A3747).Google Scholar
  38. Tebbutt, J. (1868). Meteorological Observations Made at the Private Observatory of John Tebbutt, Junr., The Peninsula, Windsor, New South Wales, in the Years 1863, 1864, 1865, and 1866. Sydney: printed for the author.Google Scholar
  39. Tebbutt, J. (1873–1879). Untitled journal. MS, Mitchell Library (A3783).Google Scholar
  40. Tebbutt, J. (1874). Meteorological Observations Made at the Private Observatory of John Tebbutt, The Peninsula, Windsor, New South Wales, in the Years 1867, 1868, 1869, and 1870. Sydney: printed for the author.Google Scholar
  41. Tebbutt, J. (1877). Results of Meteorological Observations Made at the Private Observatory of John Tebbutt, The Peninsula, Windsor, New South Wales in the Years 1871, 1872, 1873, 1874, 1875 & 1876. Sydney: printed for the author.Google Scholar
  42. Tebbutt, J. (1878). The Testimony Which Astronomy Furnishes to the Attributes of the Creator. Sydney: Young Men’s Christian Association.Google Scholar
  43. Tebbutt, J. (1879–1881). Journal for Astronomical Observations. MS, Mitchell Library (A3749).Google Scholar
  44. Tebbutt, J. (1880). On the longitude of the Observatory, Windsor, N.S. Wales. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 40, 440.Google Scholar
  45. Tebbutt, J. (1882). Results of Meteorological Observations Made at the Private Observatory of John Tebbutt, The Peninsula, Windsor, New South Wales, in the Years 1877, 1878, 1879, 1880, & 1881. Sydney: printed for the author.Google Scholar
  46. Tebbutt, J. (1882–1884). Journal for Astronomical Observations. The Peninsula, Windsor, N.S. Wales. MS, Mitchell Library (A3750).Google Scholar
  47. Tebbutt, J. (1884). On the latitude of the Observatory, Windsor, N.S. Wales. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 44, 101–103.ADSCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  48. Tebbutt, J. (1886). Results of Meteorological Observations Made at the Private Observatory of John Tebbutt, The Peninsula, Windsor, New South Wales, in the Years 1882, 1883, 1884, & 1885. Sydney: printed for the author.Google Scholar
  49. Tebbutt, J. (1887). History and Description of Mr. Tebbutt’s Observatory, Windsor, New South Wales. Sydney: printed for the author.Google Scholar
  50. Tebbutt, J. (1888). On the difference of longitude between Mr Tebbutt’s Observatory, Windor, New South Wales, and the Government Observatories at Sydney and Melbourne. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 48, 313–316.ADSCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  51. Tebbutt, J. (1890–1892). Journal for Astronomical Observations. The Peninsula, Windsor, New South Wales. MS, Mitchell Library (A3754).Google Scholar
  52. Tebbutt, J. (1891). Results of Meteorological Observations Made at the Private Observatory of John Tebbutt, The Peninsula, Windsor, N.S, Wales, in the Years 1886, 1887, 1888, 1889, & 1890. Sydney: printed for the author.Google Scholar
  53. Tebbutt, J. (1894–1896). Untitled journal. MS, Mitchell Library (A3756).Google Scholar
  54. Tebbutt, J. (1896–1898). Untitled journal. MS, Mitchell Library (A3757).Google Scholar
  55. Tebbutt, J. (1898a). Report of Mr. Tebbutt’s Observatory, The Peninsula, Windsor, New South Wales, For the Year 1897. Sydney: printed for the author.Google Scholar
  56. Tebbutt, J. (1898b). Results of Meteorological Observations Made at the Private Observatory of John Tebbutt, The Peninsula, Windsor, New South Wales, in the Years 1891, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895, 1896, and 1897. Sydney: printed for the author.Google Scholar
  57. Tebbutt, J. (1899). Report of Mr. Tebbutt’s Observatory, The Peninsula, Windsor, New South Wales, For the Year 1898. Sydney: printed for the author.Google Scholar
  58. Tebbutt, J. (1905–1915). Reductions of Observations of Binary Stars 1905 to 1915. MS, Mitchell Library (A37452).Google Scholar
  59. Tebbutt, J. (1908). Astronomical Memoirs. Sydney: printed for the author.Google Scholar
  60. Tebbutt, J. (1916). Results of Meteorological Observations Made at Mr. Tebbutt’s Observatory The Peninsula, Windsor, New South Wales, During the Period 1898–1915. Sydney: printed for the author.Google Scholar
  61. Tebbutt, J. (1986). Astronomical Memoirs. Windsor: Hawkesbury Shire Council (Reprinted Edition, with additional material added).Google Scholar
  62. ‘The Mitchell Library Sydney N.S.W.Guide for Readers.’ Cyclostyled notes, Mitchell Library (1967).Google Scholar
  63. Todd, Sir Charles (1893). Meteorological work in Australia: a review. In R. Tate, E.H. Rennie & W.H. Bragg (Eds.), Report of the Fifth Meeting of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science, Held in Adelaide, South Australia, September, 1893 (pp. 246–270). Melbourne: AAAS.Google Scholar
  64. Tupman, G.L. (1883). Letter to John Tebbutt, dated 16 January. In TL.Google Scholar
  65. Wright, H. (1908). Letter to John Tebbutt, dated 25 October. In TL.Google Scholar
  66. Wright, H. (1912). Letter to John Tebbutt, dated 21 August. In TL.Google Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2017

Authors and Affiliations

  • Wayne Orchiston
    • 1
  1. 1.National Astronomical Research Institute of ThailandSuthep District, MuangThailand

Personalised recommendations