CLERKE,AGNES,MARY, CHRONICLER OF ASTRONOMY

Agnes Mary Clerke (1842-1907) (Fig. I), a prolific writer on astronomy and allied sciences, is best remembered today as the author of A Popu lar History of Astronomy During the Nineteenth Century and of numerous entries in the Dictionary of National Biography. Born in a remote par t of Ireland she received her education entirely within her family and through her own private studies. The History first published in 1885 brought her instant fame, and she soon became an influential commentat or on the progress of the fast expanding field of astrophysics. Two ot her major books followed - The System of the Stars (1890) and Problems in Astrophysics (1903), both highly acclaimed. Agnes Clerke enjoyed t he friendship and patronage of many well-known astronomers, including Sir William and Lady Huggins, Sir David Gill, Sir Norman Lockyer, Edwa rd Holden and George Ellery Hale. She was one of the small band of wom en to be made honorary Members of the Royal Astronomical Society in th e days before women became eligible for fellowship. This paper describ es how she rose to her position as an authority on the astrophysics of her day with special reference to her three major books.