Alexander Aubert

He observed the transit of Venus of 3 June 1769 at Austin Friars,[1] and that of Mercury, 4 May 1786[2] at an observatory built by him at Loampit Hill, near Deptford, and furnished with the best instruments by Short, Bird, Ramsden, and Dollond.

In 1788 he purchased Highbury House, Islington, for 6,000 guineas, and erected on the grounds, with the assistance of his friend John Smeaton, the celebrated engineer, a new observatory on improved plans of his own.

His mechanical knowledge caused him to be appointed chairman of the trustees for the completion of Ramsgate Harbour, and his energy contributed materially to the ultimate success of Smeaton's designs.

In 1792 Aubert headed a society for the suppression of sedition, and in 1797 he organised, and was appointed lieutenant-colonel of, the 'Loyal Islington Volunteers.'

While staying in the house of Mr. John Lloyd, of Wygfair, St. Asaph, he was struck with apoplexy, and died 19 October 1805, at the age of 75, highly esteemed both in scientific and commercial circles, and widely popular, owing to his genial manners and unstinted hospitality.