Mary Proctor

Mary Proctor FRAS FRMetS (1 April 1862 – 11 September 1957) was a British-American popularizer of astronomy.[1] While not a professional astronomer, Proctor became well known for her books and articles written for the public – particularly her children's fiction.[2]

For the African American folk artist, see Mary L. Proctor.
For other uses, see Proctor (surname).
Mary Proctor

FRAS FRMetS
Proctor in 1932
Born(1862-04-01)1 April 1862
Dublin, Ireland
Died11 September 1957(1957-09-11) (aged 95)
Finchley, Middlesex, England
Alma mater
Parent(s)Richard A. Proctor
Marty Proctor
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Early life

Mary Proctor was born 1 April 1862 in Dublin, Ireland, the daughter of Mary (née Mills) and Richard Proctor.[3][4] Proctor's mother died in 1879. Her father remarried in 1881 and her family immigrated to the United States settling in Saint Joseph, Missouri in 1882.[4]

Proctor's father was a British popularizer of astronomy, lecturer, and writer. As she grew up, Proctor often assisted her father in his work, looking after his library and correcting proofs of his books before they went to publication. She graduated from the College of Preceptors in London in 1898.[2]

Career

In 1881, Proctor assisted her father in founding and producing a journal called Knowledge. She wrote a series of articles on the topic of comparative mythology. After a well-received appearance at the World's Columbian Exposition 1893, she eventually developed a career as an astronomy lecturer. Her book-length debut, Stories of Starland (1898), was adopted by the New York City Board of Education. She worked as an astronomy teacher in private schools while attending Columbia University.[2]

Works

Proctor authored many articles for newspapers, journals and published numerous popular books. Her articles and books were mostly aimed for young readers, which earned her the nickname "the children's astronomer." Her books were easy to read, accurate, informative and well illustrated. Known and respected by many professional astronomers, Proctor became an elected member of the British Astronomical Association in 1897 and the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1898.[2][5] On 11 February 1916, she was elected as a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society.[6]

Death and legacy

Proctor died 11 September 1947 in Finchley, Middlesex, England.[3] The 52 km (32 mi) wide lunar crater Proctor is named after her.[3][7][8]

Bibliography
  • Stories Of Starland, 1895.
  • Giant Sun And His Family, 1896.
  • "Halley's Comet after 75 years rushes Earthward again", San Francisco Call, August 23, 1908.
  • Half Hours With The Summer Stars, 1911.
  • Legends Of The Stars, 1922.
  • The Children's Book Of The Heavens, 1924.
  • Evenings With The Stars, 1924.
  • Legends Of The Sun And Moon, 1926.
  • The Romance Of Comets, 1926.
  • The Romance Of The Sun, 1927.
  • The Romance Of The Moon, 1928.
  • The Romance Of The Planets, 1929.
  • Wonders Of The Sky, 1931.
  • Our Stars Month By Month, 1937
  • M. Proctor and A. C. D. Crommelin, Comets, 1937.
  • Everyman's Astronomy 1939.
  • Comets, Meteors And Shooting Stars, 1940.

References
  1. "Corresponding Member: Miss Mary Proctor". Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. 24 May 2013. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
  2. Moore, Patrick (2007). "Proctor, Mary". In Hockey, Thomas; Trimble, Virginia; Williams, Thomas R. (eds.). Biographical Encyclopedia of Astronomers. Vol. 2. New York, NY: Springer Publishing. p. 934. doi:10.1007/978-0-387-30400-7_1125. ISBN 9780387304007.
  3. "Proctor, Mary". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/59855. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  4. Hoffleit, Dorrit (2001). "The Maria Mitchell Observatory--For Astronomical Research and Public Enlightenment". The Journal of the American Association of Variable Star Observers. 30 (1): 67. Bibcode:2001JAVSO..30...62H.
  5. "Proceedings of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, August 1898". Archived from the original on 12 February 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
  6. "1916MNRAS..76..250. Page 250". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 76: 250. 1916. Bibcode:1916MNRAS..76..250.. doi:10.1093/mnras/76.4.250. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  7. Autostar Suite Astronomer Edition. CD-ROM. Meade, April 2006.
  8. Saum, Lewis O. (February 1999). "The Proctor interlude in St. Joseph and in America: Astronomy, romance and tragedy" (PDF). American Studies International. 37 (1): –54. Retrieved 24 May 2014.

Further reading
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