Edinburgh Astronomical Institution

[2] The Institution raised funds, mostly by member subscription, to create three departments: A scientific observatory with an observer was to be under the control of the professors of mathematics, philosophy and astronomy of the University of Edinburgh, a popular observatory was to provide general instruction and amusement and a "physical cabinet" would comprise books, globes, meteorological and other instruments.

The members were predominantly landed gentry, advocates, bankers, academics, clergy, etc.

[2] With Government grants and after much delay in procuring instruments it was only in 1834 that Thomas Henderson was appointed the first observer.

[1] Due to the deteriorating finances of the Institution it was forced to hand over its property to the Government in 1847.

After Piazzi Smyth's resignation in 1888 it moved in 1896 to its present site on Blackford Hill.