Christian Carl Ludwig Ruemker papers, 24 May 1825-6 July 1832

DLMSQ 569

fonds

24 May, 1825-6 July, 1832

944035

1 box of textual material - 36 cm.

Charles Stargard Rumker, 1788-1862, astronomer, was born in Germany. From 1809 until 1819, he served in British ships, and whilst at sea met Baron Franz-Xaver de Zach an Austrian astronomer, who introduced him to the study of astronomy. Rumker's first publications appeared in 1819. In 1821, he arrived in Sydney as Governor Brisbane's private astronomer, and worked at Brisbane's observatory at Parramatta, where in 1822, he rediscovered Encke's comet. Owing to disagreements with Brisbane in 1823, Rumker retired to his farm, Stargard. In 1826, he was recalled to Parramatta, where he discovered a new comet. In 1827, he was appointed government astronomer, and in 1829 went to London to obtain new instruments for the Parramatta Observatory, and to publish his astronomical observations. He quarrelled with Sir James South, president of the Royal Astronomical Society, who used his influence to have Rumker dismissed in June 1830. He returned to Hamburg and became director of the school of navigation and of the observatory. Rumker published many papers, and in 1854 the Royal Astronomical Society gave him its gold medal

Item 1
a. Correspondence, 24 May 1825-6 July 1832
Mainly regarding the circumstances of Rumker's dismissal from Parramatta Observatory in 1830, and includes correspondence between Rumker and the Secretary of State for the Colonies. Drafts of Rumker's letters to Governor Darling and the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies are included. Correspondents include Sir Thomas Brisbane, James Dunlop, Davies Gilbert, Peter Heywood, Robert William Hay, Viscount Howick, Alexander Macleay and Horace Twiss

Item 2
b. 'Report on the Parramatta observations. Copy'. 5 June 1830. Report of the committee set up to examine astronomical observations made by Rumker in 1822 and 1823 at Parramatta Observatory, and to report on which set is the original. Includes statements by Rumker, Brisbane and Dunlop

Item 3
c. 'Volage. Remark Book. 21 September 1825 to 20 December 1826'. Captain R. S. Dundas' remarks made on the voyage of H.M.S. Volage from Teneriffe via Cape of Good Hope, India, Ceylon to Port Jackson

Item 4
d. Deed of sale of Rumker's farm, Stargard, at Camden, N.S.W., to Henry Grattan Douglass, 2 November 1827

Contents list available in the Mitchell Library Reading Room -

Information transferred from Dixson Manuscript Card Catalogue as part of the eRecords Project, 2011-2012.