Much has been written about the renowned astronomer John Tebbutt whose observations assisted in advancing astronomy internationally though he rarely left the Hawkesbury. He has been universally recognised for his work, with Tebbutt performing the complex calculations required for his computations, mostly himself. Occasionally he employed assistants known as computers to help out with his reckonings. This is the story of some of his early assistants.
Born in Windsor in 1834,
John Tebbutt was locally educated. Tutored in the classics including Latin and Greek, in later years he taught himself French and German. To work in astronomy, an advanced understanding of not only science, but also higher mathematics was crucial.
With his aptitude for astronomy, Tebbutt began examining the skies in earnest from 1853. Not only did he study the skies, but meticulously recorded the weather, flood levels and provided a local time service.
In later years he bought more substantial telescopes and discovered in 1861 the Great Comet which gave him international recognition then discovered the Great Comet of 1881. Living on the family property on the Peninsula, in Windsor, Tebbutt built several observatories and these were well-equipped.
He was considered one of Australia’s foremost astronomers by his peers, receiving many accolades and international awards throughout his lifetime. His consistent observations and astronomical computations were highly regarded by his international colleagues and advanced astronomy worldwide.
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| Daily Observation notebook 1890 held Mitchell Library. Photo: M. Nichols |
An astronomer’s work was observing the skies, recording as well as performing complex and often laborious, calculations. Prior to 1880s, all of the observations and complex calculations were made by Tebbutt and his “untiring energy and unremitted diligence” were noted.(1) As well as his scientific workload, Tebbutt also had to oversee his farm and business affairs.
Tebbutt was known for being blunt. Murray Allen, a teacher from Collector had expectations to be Tebbutt’s computer but was reprimanded in 1886 for getting his calculations wide of the mark. Allen responded to Tebbutt, “it was rather harsh, considering that it is some fourteen years since I opened trigonometry and … I am truly sorry that I was so far out”.(2) He must have improved as several years later, Allen’s assistance was acknowledged.
n 1888, Tebbutt advertised in the ‘Hawkesbury Chronicle’ for a computer. A computer at that time was not electronic but a person who performed mathematical calculations. Aged in his mid-fifties, he was seeking assistance to calculate his meteorological observations. Tebbutt wrote, “he must be tolerably quick and accurate at simple addition and division” as computers, at the time, were predominantly male.(3)
Despite Tebbutt’s successes in 1888, he observed the difficulties in finding the “occasional assistance of a competent person in ordinary arithmetical calculation”. Nevertheless he concluded that “considerable help was afforded by Miss M. Arnold, of the Public School Department, Sydney” and “Mr. L. A. Parker, late of the local Commercial Bank, has also rendered able assistance.”(4)
So who were Miss Arnold and Mr Parker that competently provided Tebbutt with help in the late 1880s?
Margie Arnold was born in Windsor in 1866 and was the only daughter of William Clifford and Mary Arnold. William was a farm labourer from Sussex and Irish born Mary was a servant and they were living in Windsor around 1860. William was a reliable employee of the Tebbutt family for over twenty years.
It is likely Margie was educated in Windsor and by 1882 appeared on a pupil teachers list. She was sixteen and was employed at Pennant Hills and worked in a variety of schools before passing her exams in 1889.
It is not known if Margie applied for the position Tebbutt had advertised in the local newspaper or whether Tebbutt knew of her abilities through family connections. She may have even trained with him. Margie assisted Tebbutt with reductions for several years. He was impressed with her and acknowledged, “the intelligence, quickness, and accuracy” of Margie “as a computer, both in logarithms and natural numbers, is exceptional, and I have, therefore, much pleasure in bearing testimony to her qualifications in this respect.” (5)
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| NSW Teachers’ Rolls, 1869-1908 for Margie Arnold |
By 1890 she was promoted as headmistress at the North Broken Hill Public School.
Miss Arnold has been a very careful and diligent student, and … all the more creditable … when it is known that she has attained her present place by virtue of her own hard work alone…(6)
In 1891, she wed Farquhar Wallace, the headmaster at the same school. As was the custom, Margie resigned from her paid teaching job, after she married.
The first women commenced employment as computers in astronomy, the same time Margie moved to Broken Hill.
Mary Greayer was employed by the Government Astronomer for South Australia. It is not known if Margie ever received remuneration for her work with Tebbutt, if she did, this would pre-date Greayer’s employment.
In 1894 Margie’s father passed away. At the time, William was renting a cottage in Pitt Street from Tebbutt. He must have been a trusted friend as the astronomer was a pallbearer at the funeral and also executor of William’s will. He was buried in the St Matthew’s Anglican Cemetery in Windsor, adjacent to Tebbutt’s vault. Margie’s mother Mary died in 1914 and was interred in the Windsor Catholic Cemetery. (7)
The couple had eight children. After Broken Hill, they moved around, living in Springwood, Port Macquarie, Kendall and Taree. Margie was still involved in teaching in an unofficial capacity, until her husband retired.
During the 1930s Margie experienced health issues and in 1948, she passed away aged 82. Her obituary records that she demonstrated “a keen interest in study” and her earlier work with Tebbutt, was mentioned. “While still in her teens she studied astronomy under Mr. Tebbutt.” It also mentions “her deep knowledge of the classics - and her alert mind, made her a most interesting companion.” Margie was buried at Wingham Cemetery.(8)
In 1889 Tebbutt paid tribute to Mr Parker who also assisted Tebbutt with his important calculations. Leslie Angwin Parker was born in 1867 in the Dubbo area. (9) His parents were Richard and Amelia.
He was a promising student and in 1884 he was awarded a gold medal for his excellent studies. After leaving school he joined the Commercial Banking Co. of Sydney in 1885. Leslie married Alice Parker in 1911 at the Burwood Presbyterian Church.
From 1911 he was organist and choirmaster of his local church, as well as trustee, and Sunday School teacher. He rose through the banking ranks and was appointed accountant in 1916, then assistant-manager two years later. By 1925 he was chief inspector and held this position until his death. He was a keen motorist and a member of various associations. Aged 65 he passed away in 1933 with his ashes scattered at Rookwood. Cemetery. Leslie’s obituary mentions he “was a man of education and culture” and that he “read widely, and was a fine musician.” It also records that he “was also a good mathematician and a student of astronomy.” A tablet was unveiled at his local church in 1935. (10)
The lack of capable assistance plagued Tebbutt’s research. In 1901 when he was interviewed about future opportunities, he told a journalist “that he was unable to obtain assistant computers competent to perform the calculations necessary, and that there were no fewer than 460 minor planets, whose movements were unable to be calculated." (11)
His son, John Thomas was not actively involved in astronomy however Tebbutt mentions his son’s assistance in the 1900s, recording statistics when he was absent, also Robert Bruce Walker. Walker, helped with clerical work and calculations, and became a solicitor and MP. Tebbutt also mentions support from his peers, Joseph Brooks a surveyor and astronomers Robert Innes and Charles Merfield.
In 1904 when Tebbutt was aged seventy, he “felt compelled” to retire from his regular recordings. He said “his declining years will be devoted to business of a private nature, with occasional attention to astronomical observations.”(12) But he continued his research. For years Tebbutt articulated “the hope of meeting someone who … could assist me in my work, partly out of love for the science, and partly for a remuneration” yet he never did.
During Tebbutt’s career, he published almost 400 articles, sharing his observations and research around the world. Aged 82, the brilliant Tebbutt died in 1916 and was buried in a vault which he personally designed at St. Matthew’s Anglican cemetery. After his death, Tebbutt continued to receive accolades for his contribution to astronomy. This article recognises the forgotten role played by Tebbutt’s gifted computers.
References
2. John Tebbutt: rebuilding & strengthening the foundations of Australian astronomy / Wayne Orchiston 2017 p. 7.
12. John Tebbutt's Annual Report 1903, p. 11. Published Windsor 1904.
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