Newcomb, Simon National Historic Person
Wallace Bridge, Nova Scotia
![Professor Simon Newcomb, between 1905-1909 © Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, photograph by Harris & Ewing | photo de Harris et Ewing, [LC-DIG-hec-16238]](Resources/Images/Image.aspx?id=85804)
Professor Simon Newcomb, between 1905-1909
© Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, photograph by Harris & Ewing | photo de Harris et Ewing, [LC-DIG-hec-16238]
Address :
Wallace Bridge, Nova Scotia
Recognition Statute:
Historic Sites and Monuments Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. H-4)
Designation Date:
1935-05-29
Life Date:
1835 to 1909
Other Name(s):
-
Simon Newcomb
(Designation Name)
Importance:
Astronomer, United States Naval Observatory, director of the Nautical Almanac (1877-97)
Plaque(s)
Existing plaque: Highway 6, Wallace Bridge, Nova Scotia
Born at Wallace Bridge, Newcomb moved to the United States in 1853. Graduating from Harvard he became Professor of Mathematics in the U.S. Navy and was assigned to the Naval Observatory. He was soon recognized as an authority on mathematical astronomy. As director of the Nautical Almanac (1877-97), and as Professor at Johns Hopkins (1884-94 and 1898-1900) his revision of the lunar and planetary tables led to the simplification of all nautical almanacs throughout the world, while his many scientific books and papers earned him international distinction and high honour. He died at Washington.