Temple Chevallier

Temple Chevallier (19 October 1794, Badingham, Suffolk - 4 November 1873, Harrow Weald) was a British clergyman, astronomer, and mathematician. Between 1847 and 1849, he made important observations regarding sunspots. Chevallier has been called "a remarkable Victorian polymath" (Kenworthy, 1994). Not only did he write many papers on astronomy and physics, he also published a translation of the Apostolic Fathers that went into a second edition, and translated the works of Clement of Alexandria, Polycarp and Ignatius of Antioch.

Educated at Pembroke College, Cambridge, he was ordained a priest in 1818. He became a Fellow of Pembroke College a year later. He was a Fellow and Tutor of Catharine Hall (St Catharine's College, Cambridge) in 1820 and Hulsean lecturer in Divinity from 1826 to 1827.

His lectures were published as Of the proofs of the divine power and wisdom derived from the study of astronomy in 1835.

That same year, Chevallier was invited to become Professor of Astronomy at the newly-founded University of Durham. A chair of Mathematics and Astronomy existed at the University of Durham between 1841-1871; Chevallier was the one to hold this post. He also served as Reader in Hebrew 1835-1871, Registrar 1835-1865, and from 1834-1835 also assisted with lectures in Divinity.

He was instrumental in establishing the Durham University Observatory (in 1839), serving as its Director for thirty years, and from which he made important observations of Jupiter's moons and regular meteorological observations. From 1835 until his death, he also served as perpetual Parish Priest at Esh, just outside Durham, where he founded the village school and restored the church.

After his resignation in 1871 from his academic posts following a stroke, he died two years later.

Legacy

• Chevallier was the first British astronomer to institute regular and continuous observation of sunspots.

• He is entablatured in the Cathedral Chapel of the Nine Altars (Durham) and is portrayed in the Great Hall of Durham Castle (University College, Durham) as a large, imposing man, with a heavy beard.

• The lunar crater Chevallier is named after him.

References

• Archives Collection: Temple Chevallier

Further reading

• Kenworthy, J.M., 1994, "The Durham University Observatory meteorological record," Observatories and Climatological Research, Occasional Publication, no. 29, Department of Geography, University of Dunham.
• Kenworth, J.M. and Lowes, M.D., 1993, "The Chevalier family: their contribution to meteorology in the north-east of England," Weather, 48 (2), 51-6.