Donald Harry Sadler | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1908-08-22)22 August 1908 |
| Died | 24 October 1987(1987-10-24) (aged 79) Bexhill-on-Sea,East Sussex, England |
| Occupation | |
| Spouse | Flora Sadler |
Donald Harry Sadler (22 August 1908 – 24 October 1987) was an English astronomer and mathematicianwho developed an international reputation for his work in preparingastronomical and navigational almanacs. He worked as theSuperintendent of His Majesty's Nautical Almanac Office from 1937 to 1971.[1][2][3]
Donald Sadler was born inDewsbury,Yorkshire, on 22 August 1908. Heattended the local grammar school where he excelled in mathematics.He studied mathematics at theUniversity of Cambridge and received afirst-class degree in 1929.[1][2]
Sadler developed an interest in celestial mechanics during his studiesat Cambridge. He contributed to the work of the Computing Section of theBritish Astronomical Association.[1][2]
Sadler began work as an assistant atHis Majesty's Nautical Almanac Office in 1930,working under the direction of theSuperintendent,Leslie Comrie, when it was based at theRoyal Naval CollegeinGreenwich, London. Sadler was promoted to Deputy Superintendent of the Office in 1933.[1][2]
Comrie left the Nautical Almanac Office in 1936. A decision was taken tomove the Office to theRoyal Observatory, Greenwich, placing it under the direction of theAstronomer Royal, and Sadler was appointed a Chief Assistant at the observatory. Sadler was appointed Comrie's successor asSuperintendent of the Nautical Almanac Office in 1937. Sadler was the eighth person to occupy this post since it was created in 1818.[1]
Sadler took on the task of consolidating projects begun by Comrie,publishing new tables for use in navigation.The Second World War soon intervened and the Nautical Almanac Officewas moved temporarily out of London to the safer environment ofBath.The Office expanded in size temporarily to prepare data for military use.Sadler was awarded theOBEin 1948 in recognition of this work.[1]
Sadler supervised the relocation of the Nautical Almanac Officein 1949 fromBath to the new home of theRoyal Greenwich Observatory atHerstmonceux Castle in Sussex. He expanded the use of calculatingmachines in astronomical calculations. He increased internationalcooperation in preparing astronomical tables, particularly with theUnited States Naval Observatory.[1]
In 1954 Sadler married his colleague,Flora Sadler (née McBain), in what was described as 'the astronomical romance of the decade'.[4]
Donald Sadler oversaw the transfer of the Nautical Almanac Office withinthe Royal Greenwich Observatory from the control of theAdmiralty to the newScience Research Council.[1]
Donald Sadler became a fellow of theRoyal Astronomical Society in1931, and served on the society's council. He acted as a secretarybetween 1939 and 1947, contributing to sustaining the society'swork during the war. He served as the society'spresident from 1967 to 1969.[1]
Sadler contributed to other scientific societies, including theRoyal Institute of Navigation, of which he was president from 1953 to 1955.[5] He served as general secretary of theInternational Astronomical Union (1958–1964), then as vice-president, and president (1968–1970) of the Council of the Federation of Astronomical and Geophysical Services.[1]
In 1981, Sadler became a founding member of theWorld Cultural Council.[6]
Donald Sadler retired as Superintendent of the Nautical Almanac Office in1971. He continued working at the office for a further year, retiring inFebruary 1972. Sadler continued with his activities in theRoyal Institute of Navigation.[1][2]
Donald Sadler died atBexhill-on-Sea,East Sussex, on 24 October 1987.[3]
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