Fearon Fallows, first Astronomer Royal at the Cape, is born in England

Fearon Fallows, the first Astronomer Royal at the Cape, was born in Cockermouth, Cumberland on 4 July 1789. The son of a weaver, he was brought up in the profession of hand-weaving. However, Fallows spent his spare time studying, especially subjects like mathematics. At the age of 19, he became an assistant at a school, and went on to study at St. John's College in Cambridge, where he became a teacher and fellow. On 26 October 1813, Fallows was appointed to be the principal astronomer at the newly established, but yet to be constructed, observatory at the Cape of Good Hope. He arrived in Cape Town on 21 August 1821 to investigate possible sites, but it was only in 1825 that building commenced. The main building of the observatory was completed in 1828, but Fallows was unfortunately unable to take advantage of the new facilities due illness. He died of scarlet fever in Simon's Town on 25 July 1831, and was buried at the Royal Observatory. References: Potgieter, D.J. et al. (eds) (1970) Standard Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa. Cape Town: NASOU, v. 4, p. 424.