John Smith (astronomer)

(baptised 14 October 1711 – 17 June 1795) was a British academic and astronomer.

His father was an attorney named Henry Smith and his mother was Elizabeth Johnson.

He was born in Coltishall, Norfolk and was educated at Norwich School and Eton.

He was Master of Caius from 1764 to 1795, and Lowndean Professor of Astronomy from 1771 to 1795.

He installed a transit telescope above his college ante-chapel.