Sir Robert Stawell Ball (1 July 1840–25 November 1913)

Irish astronomer and mathematician . Became Professor of Applied Mathematics at the Royal College of Science, Dublin in 1867. Appointed Royal Astronomer of Ireland and Andrews Professor of Astronomy in the University of Dublin at Dunsink Observatory in 1874. Appointed Lowndean Professor of Astronomy and Geometry at Cambridge University in 1892; at the same time becoming director of the Cambridge Observatory. FRS.