The Family Tombstone of Edmond Halley (1656-1742)
2nd Astronomer Royal, 1720-42

This tombstone was moved to the Observatory from the churchyard of St Margaret’s in Lee when Edmond Halley’s tomb was restored by the Lord Commissioners of the Admiralty in 1854. The tomb itself is still located at St Margaret’s with a replica tombstone in place.

The Latin inscription reads:

’Beneath this gravestone, Edmond Halley, unquestionably the most eminent of the astronomers of his age, rests peacefully with his dearest wife. So that the reader may know what kind and how great a man [Halley] was, read his various writing in which he dignified, embellished and strengthened almost all the arts and sciences.

And, therefore, as he was a man so greatly cherished by his fellow-citizens during his lifetime, so let a grateful posterity venerate his memory. Born in the year of our Lord 1656. Died 1741/2. This stone was consecrated to excellent parents by two devoted daughters in the year 1742.’

The tombstone of the famous astronomer Edmund Halley who was added to his astronomical discoveries is also the one who developed the diving bell.
Halley’s comet is named after him.

The tombstone was photographed on the same day Click for a larger image