An Ingenious Young Man

Abstract Bradley was introduced to astronomy in 1711 in Wanstead, soon becoming Pound’s observational partner when they often worked for Newton and Halley. Bradley’s skills were soon noted by Halley; he was employed to observe Jupiter and its satellites in order to determine the longitude and discovered the gravitational resonances between the inner three satellites. His skills were recognized by Newton. In 1717 Bradley contracted smallpox and was isolated and nursed before he recovered. Bradley was ordained a deacon and then a priest in the Church of England in 1719. He was elected as the Savilian Professor of Astronomy in 1721 by a London-based Whig power base, much resented by many Oxford-based Tories, and relinquished all Church livings as required by the office.