Talk:Alexander Wilson (astronomer)

Mathematician, Astronomer or Scientist?

Apparently, he was best known for contributions to astronomy; he was a professor of astronomy at the University of Glasgow, and according to the article "Wilson primarily made contributions to astronomy and meteorology". So shouldn't the title be rather "Alexander Wilson (astronomer)" or perhaps "Alexander Wilson (scientist)" (seeing as he also made contributions to meteorology) rather than "Alexander Wilson (mathematician)"? -- Ekjon Lok (talk) 18:51, 12 January 2009 (UTC)

Yes, but I don't know how to change it :-( Abmcdonald (talk) 22:59, 26 February 2009 (UTC)

Nor do I know whether the picture I have posted a link to is available for use. Abmcdonald (talk) 23:03, 26 February 2009 (UTC)

The way to change the title of the page is to use the "move" tab. Let's wait for a few days, and if nobody objects I'll move this to "Alexander Wilson (scientist)". Any thoughts? -- Ekjon Lok (talk) 22:24, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

I am not keen on "scientist". I don't think that word had been invented until after he died. "Astronomer" is probably what he is best remembered for. A B McDonald (talk) 22:40, 10 March 2009 (UTC)

I agree with you; I don't like "scientist" that much myself. So, let's say, "Astronomer" is a good compromise (despite the fact that he made significant contributions to meteorology and typography, among other things.) So, in any case, if you think this is sensible, why can't you be bold and make the move yourself? I'm sure there won't be any objections! So, go ahead -- just do it -- it's fairly simple!!! -- Ekjon Lok (talk) 22:24, 13 March 2009 (UTC)

medal merit

What merited Alexander Wilson his gold medal from the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters? Did he supply a Danish alphabet typeface that brought him to the attention of the Academy? Was the Academy impressed with is observations of the solar surface? Perhaps some other service merited the award.Rgdboer (talk) 22:12, 6 June 2010 (UTC)

By a spot of good luck I recently found volume 1 and 3 of the work on the Royal Danish Academy at a second hand bookshop for next to nothing. Unfortunately it does not seem like much information about his essay has survived. From 1768 the society annually posed questions in various scientific fields and invited scholars to answer them. He answered a question that was posed by the society on September 11 1770 that read: "Define sun spots, and determine their longevity." ("Hvad Solpletter er, og Bestemmelse af deres Bestandighed.") His answer was received by the society October 31 1771, and he was awarded the gold medal for it February 18 1772. Apparently the copy of his essay does not exist in the archives of the society anymore, but the work cited above suggests that it might be Observations on the Solar Spots which was published in Phil. Trans. Royal Soc. Vol. 64, Part. I, London, 1774. On account of lack of surviving information about this, regretfully your question about what impressed the society about Wilson's essay cannot be answered. (A. Lomholt (ed.), Det Kongelige Danske Videnskabernes Selskab 1742-1942 - Samlinger til Selskabets historie, vol. III, Copenhagen, 1960, p. 455.)--Saddhiyama (talk) 18:50, 19 September 2010 (UTC)

In connection with unrelated research work I stumbled upon the coverage of the meeting where Wilson's prize was awarded by the Royal Danish Society printed in the Danish learned review Kiøbenhavnske Efterretninger om lærde Sager from Thursday May 7 1772 (No. 19, p. 289). It reads: "In the Mathematics category it was found that Alexander Wilson, M.D., professor of Astronomy at the University of Glasgow in Scotland, deserved the prize; although his hyptohesis about the solar spots is not deemed to have been sufficiently proven." ("I den Mathematiske Classe, hvor det Problem om Soel-Pletterne etc. var udsat, fandt man, at Alexander Wilson, M.D., Professor i Astronomien ved Universitetet i Glasgow i Scotland, havde fortient Præmium; Skiønt man ey anseer hans Hypothese over Soel-Pletterne at være tilstrækkelig beviist."). --Saddhiyama (talk) 17:03, 10 October 2010 (UTC)

What good luck for all fans of Alexander Wilson that you found why he merited a gold medal. The references from RS London and the Danish learned review are now posted as references, thanks to your follow up on a loose end.Rgdboer (talk) 02:18, 11 October 2010 (UTC)

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