Robert FitzRoy, English Officer and Meteorologist

Robert FitzRoy, English Officer and Meteorologist

Robert FitzRoy (July 5, 1805 - April 30, 1865) was an English officer of the Royal Navy. He achieved lasting fame as the captain of HMS Beagle during Darwin's famous voyage. As Governor of New Zealand, serving from 1843 to 1845, he tried to protect the Maori from illegal land sales claimed by British settlers. FitzRoy was a pioneering meteorologist who made accurate daily weather predictions, which he called by a new name of his own invention: forecasts. In 1854 he established what would later be called the Met Office, and created systems to get weather information to sailors and fishermen for their safety. In 1860, he introduced a system of hoisting storm warning cones at the principal ports when a gale was expected. The Weather Book, published in 1863, was far in advance of the scientific opinion of the time. FitzRoy was promoted to Vice-Admiral due to seniority, but in the coming years internal and external troubles at the Meteorological Office, financial concerns as well as failing health, and his struggle with depression took their toll. On April 30, 1865, he committed suicide by cutting his throat with a razor, at the age of 59. He died having exhausted his entire fortune (GBP 6,000, the equivalent of GBP 400,000 today) on public expenditure. Queen Victoria gave the special favor of allowing his widow and daughter the use of grace and favor (rent-free) apartments at Hampton Court Palace.

Album / Science Source

Model: No - Property: No
Rights questions?

3317 x 4200 px | 39.9 MB

28.1 x 35.6 cm | 11.1 x 14.0 in (300 dpi)