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Temple Chevallier - Early Astronomy
A black and white architects rendition of how Durham Observatory would look when completed. 1839

Temple Chevallier

In 1835 Temple Chevallier, a Cambridge University maths professor, was invited to become Professor of Astronomy at the newly founded University of Durham. He also served as Reader in Hebrew from 1835 to 1871, Registrar from 1835 to 1865, and from 1834 to 1835 also assisted with lectures in Divinity. He originated the teaching of astronomy at Durham, fighting for the creation of an Observatory on which construction began in 1839. The lasting effects of his effort is the third longest continuous meteorological record in the country. He contributed to many early attempts to establish a Department of Science in Durham, unfortunately, until 1924, they would all be short-lived. 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

1830s

Illustration of male students studying in the library of Durham University in 1832

1833

Teaching commences in the newly founded Durham University, including lessons in Natural Philosophy, the closest thing at the time to modern science. It is largely amateur and there are few Scientific Journals. University College and Kings College in London are pioneering science teaching. UCL which opened its doors in 1828, has professors in Chemistry, Physics and Botany. Johnston, a chemist trained in Glasgow where science is booming, arrives in Durham, encouraging the teaching of science.

Portrait of Temple Chevallier

1834

Temple Chevallier arrives from Cambridge with experience to his name. He is a fellow of Pembrooke College Oxford, a tutor at Catherine Hall, and a parish priest, invited to Durham by Archdeacon Charles Thorpe, warden of the University. He comes with the intention of teaching divinity, but within a year takes the title of Professor of Mathematics. Despite his new vocation, he retained his link with religion, believing in cultivating his mind, only so that he might better appreciate God's creation.

A sketch by Cuthbert Bede, a student at Durham University in the 1840s.

1836

The first Durham Graduates include 3 B.A.s in Mathematics and Physical Sciences

A black and white architects rendition of how Durham Observatory would look when completed. 1839

1838

Chevallier created an engineering class, eventually choosing his first three ‘Observers’ from its graduates for his observatory. He believed in mastering a natural progression of subjects in mathematics, beginning with geometry, before using mathematical reasoning to explain physical concepts, such as time, space, and motion. He also believed they should be exposed early to more exciting elements of physical science to 'render the study less repulsive'.

1832 - 1838

On the 4th of July 1832, parliament officially recognised Durham University, with the first students being accepted in August of the next year. Durham Cathedral was a wealthy institution known for its commitment to education, which in this time was linked closely with the teachings of the Christian Church. The earliest students had to pass exams on topics such as the Gospel of St. Luke and the Old Testament. Initially a school of theology, a faculty of arts emerged in the University, under which umbrella fell many subjects, including mathematics.

To find out more about the founding of Durham University visit the UNESCO Durham World Heritage website below.

Durham Uni in the 1840s

The 1840s

Find out about the development of Astronomy at Durham, Richard C. Carrington and the role of the Observers

Durham in the 1840s