Elizabeth Brown

Who is Elizabeth Brown?

Elizabeth Brown was a British astronomer who specialized in solar observation, especially sunspots and solar eclipses.

She was also instrumental in founding the British Astronomical Association.

Elizabeth was born in Cirencester, Gloucestershire. Her father, Thomas Brown, introduced her to the telescope, and she began observing sunspots. When her father died at age 91, she was released of domestic and filial duties and began to travel the world to record her observations. She published two books anonymously on her travels.

She joined the Liverpool Astronomical Society following the death of her father in 1883. At this time the society operated as an association of amateur astronomers across Britain, rather than as a merely local organisation. Brown travelled a 140-mile round journey from her home near Cirencester to Liverpool to attend its meetings. She soon afterwards became the director of its Solar Section.

Brown had a central role in organising in 1890 the formation of the British Astronomical Association to coordinate the work of amateur astronomers. She became the Director of the new Association's Solar Section, a post which she held until her death in 1899. She also contributed to the activities of other observing sections, including the lunar, variable star and coloured star sections.