Edward Joseph Lowe

Edward Joseph Lowe FRS FGS FRAS FLS (11 November 1825 – 10 March 1900) was a British botanist, meteorologist and astronomer, who published papers on a wide variety of subjects, including luminous meteors, sunspots, the zodiacal light, meteorological observations during the 1860 solar eclipse (at Fuente del Mar, near Santander), conchology, ferns, grasses and other plants.

His most noted work was Ferns: British and Exotic and consisted of eight illustrated volumes published in London by Groombridge and Sons in 1856.

"a paper on 278 thunderstorms" & the Conchology of Nottingham, & various Papers on zodiacal light, meteors, 'Solar spots, Lana & Freshwater shells &c published in the Transactions of the British Association, Royal Astronomical Society, Zoological Society- &c – The discoverer of a new method of propagating cuttings of plants by the application of collodium.

Henry Lawson offered his collection of astronomical telescopes, but the project failed through lack of government funding.

The pendulum rod was of deal wood and terminated in a loaded bulb of brass and lead of 2 lbs in weight with a steel point which acted upon a smooth surface of hard baked chalk.

A Government expedition was despatched to Spain to observe the solar eclipse of 18 July 1860 and Lowe was placed in charge of the meteorological department in Santander.