Robertson, Abram 1751 - 1826

(1751 – 1826) Astronomer

Abram Robertson, sometimes known as Abraham Robertson, was born on 4th November 1751 in Duns. He moved to London at the age of 24 but his patron died so he was forced to relocate to Oxford. Whilst there he hoped to make money teaching evening class in mechanics but this did not prove profitable so he ended up as an assistant to an apothecary.

Due to patronage from John Smith, Savilian Professor of Geometry, he was able to attend Christ Church, obtaining a BA in 1779 and an MA in 1782. By 1784 he was deputising for Smith and in 1797 he took his place. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1795 and in 1810 became Savilian Professor of Astronomy. As part of this role, he acted as Radcliffe Observer until he died on 4th December 1826.