The Royal Observatory, Greenwich: A Pocket History: A History in Objects book cover illustrated with an image of Flamsteed House and a map of constellations
Book titled 'A History in Objects' by Royal Observatory Greenwich on a white background
Vintage-style globe on a stand with text on a white background
Detailed view of a mechanical device with text on the left side.
Back cover of a book with text and a red border on a white background
Book titled 'A History in Objects' by Louise Devey with a background of the Royal Observatory Greenwich.

Royal Observatory Greenwich: A History in Objects

£35.00
£35.00

Royal Observatory Greenwich: A History in Objects is a true celebration of the Observatory, its history, collections and the people who worked in it. The Observatory’s Senior Curator, Dr Louise Devoy, charts the development of Britain’s first state-funded scientific institution, from its founding by royal warrant to the present day. Featuring some of the Museum’s best-known treasures, as well as more unassuming items, it reveals the varied work of three centuries of astronomers, researchers and scientists in the Observatory’s 350th anniversary year. Beautifully illustrated, the book is the perfect gift for astronomy and history enthusiasts, and for anyone who wants to learn more about the workings and contributions to science of this remarkable institution.

Arranged in chronological order, the 100 instruments, photographs, plans and archival documents in this book tell the story of the Royal Observatory from its early days as Britain’s first state-funded purpose-built scientific institution, through periods of rapid scientific and social change, all the way to its twilight years at the forefront of astronomical research in the early twentieth century. Short biographies of each of the Astronomers Royal who lived at the site are included, as well as longer discussions of sports and social clubs, the women of the ‘Carte du Ciel’ project, splitting starlight, the transit of Venus expeditions and the search for longitude.

Louise Devoy is Senior Curator, Royal Observatory at Royal Museums Greenwich. She has a background in astrophysics and the history of science and has worked at various museums in the UK and abroad. Her research interests encompass astronomical instruments, women in astronomy and networks
of knowledge exchange between historic observatories.
  • Author: Louise Devoy
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Royal Observatory Greenwich
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 16 Oct. 2025
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 156 pages
  • ISBN ‏ : ‎ 9781906367916
  • Item weight ‏ : ‎ 788 g
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 17.8 x 2.5 x 25 cm

Members

Museum Members receive 10% off* shopping both online and at the museum sites.

Join as a Member today

Subscribers

Sign up to our newsletter for a 10% discount* off your next order.

Subscribe now

*Exclusions apply, please see our Terms and Conditions

 
Royal Observatory Greenwich: A History in Objects
£35.00

Frequently asked questions

Our standard processing and fulfillment time is 1-2 working days from the time you placed your order, excluding Custom Prints, online-only telescopes and personalised clothing.

All UK orders (excluding personalised clothing) are sent using a tracked service.

Custom Prints (those which are customised by choosing a size and frame) and personalised clothing take a little longer to fulfill due to being made to order.

Please see our Delivery and returns page for more information and last order dates.

Online-only telescopes are shipped directly from Celestron.

FREE Standard UK delivery for all orders over £50 (Royal Mail)

For all other orders, we offer Standard UK delivery for £4.95 per order (Royal Mail).

Delivery rate varies by country and value of order, and starts from as little as £6.95. 

Please allow 5-7 working days for standard orders to be dispatched.

Custom Prints (those which are customised by choosing a size and frame) and personalised clothing take a little longer to fulfill due to being made to order. Please see our recommended last order dates for these items on our  Delivery and returns page.

We send using a Royal Mail/FedEx tracked delivery service (excluding personalised products). Please allow 7-10 working days to receive after we have dispatched.

Please see our Delivery and returns page for all information.

For all returns, please contact us as soon as possible using the contact form, expressing your wish to return. Please wait for confirmation from one of our team before returning.

Custom Prints (those which are customised by choosing a size and frame) and personalised clothing are made to order and therefore we are unable to offer a refund or exchange, unless they are faulty.

Please see our Delivery and returns page for full information.