William Parsons Collection

Lord Rosse's great reflecting telescope
864568 Lord Rosse's great reflecting telescope; (add.info.: Lord Rosse's great 72-inch (1.828m) diameter reflecting telescope of 1845, called the Leviathan of Parsonstown

Lord Rosse's great reflecting telescope
864573 Lord Rosse's great reflecting telescope; (add.info.: Lord Rosse's great 72-inch (1.828m) diameter reflecting telescope of 1845, called the Leviathan of Parsonstown

Mr William Parsons in the character of Periwinkle in Susannah Centlivres A Bold Stroke for a Wife
6337644 Mr William Parsons in the character of Periwinkle in Susannah Centlivres A Bold Stroke for a Wife, Covent Garden Theatre, 1762 by Thornthwaite, J

Portrait of William Parsons (engraving)
558819 Portrait of William Parsons (engraving) by English School, (18th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Portrait of William Parsons); Look and Learn / Peter Jackson Collection; English

The Installation of the Earl of Rosse as Chancellor of Trinity College, Dublin (engraving)
1588185 The Installation of the Earl of Rosse as Chancellor of Trinity College, Dublin (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

The progress of science in the Victorian era (photogravure)
6030864 The progress of science in the Victorian era (photogravure) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The progress of science in the Victorian era)

William Parsons (engraving)
3628826 William Parsons (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: William Parsons. Illustration for Half-Hours with the Highwaymen by Charles Harper)

Highwayman William Parsons (engraving)
2654232 Highwayman William Parsons (engraving) by English School, (18th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: William Parsons (1718-1751), son of a baronet

The Earl of Rosses Great Telescope at Parsonstown (engraving)
1100738 The Earl of Rosses Great Telescope at Parsonstown (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Earl of Rosses Great Telescope at Parsonstown)

Famous Players of the Past (engraving)
1616172 Famous Players of the Past (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Famous Players of the Past)

William Parsons, Esquire (engraving)
821357 William Parsons, Esquire (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: William Parsons, Esquire)

Parsons, Bransby, And Watkyns In A Scene From Lethe, 1766. Creator: Johan Zoffany
Parsons, Bransby, And Watkyns In A Scene From Lethe, 1766. This depicts a scene from the playwright David Garricks comedy Lethe

The Ouse Bridge, York, 1844. Creator: Smyth
The Ouse Bridge, York, 1844. Meetings of the British Association for the Advancement of Science were held in York, and... have continued through the week with increasing interest and popularity

Scene in a Farce called The Quaker, December 22, 1783. December 22, 1783
Scene in a Farce called The Quaker, December 22, 1783

The Great Telescope constructed by Lord Rosse, 1828-1845, 1901. Creator: Unknown
The Great Telescope constructed by Lord Rosse, 1828-1845, (1901). Irish astronomer and engineer William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse (1800-1867)

Birr Castle, Count Offaly, Ireland, home of the Earl of Rosse, c1880. William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse, a keen astronomer

Lord Rosses telescope, Birr, Offaly, Ireland, 1924-1926. Artist: W Lawrence
Lord Rosses telescope, Birr, Offaly, Ireland, 1924-1926. William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse (1800-1867), Irish astronomer and engineer

Observation of a spiral galaxy in Canes Venatici drawn by Lord Rosse, 1850. Artist: William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse
Observation of a spiral galaxy in Canes Venatici drawn by Lord Rosse, 1850. Known as the Whirlpool Galaxy, this was the first galaxy to be recognised as having a spiral structure

Lord Rosses 72 in / 1. 8m reflecting telescope, 1849
Lord Rosses 72 in/1.8m reflecting telescope, 1849. William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse (1800-1867), Irish astronomer and engineer

Robert Stawell Ball, British astronomer, mathematician, lecturer and populariser of science, 1905. Artist: Spy
Robert Stawell Ball, Irish-born British astronomer, mathematician, lecturer and populariser of science, 1905. Ball (1840-1913), Lord Rosses astronomer at Parsonstown, Ireland

Spiral galaxy (M 51) in Canes Venatici, 1910. Photograph taken at Mount Wilson Observatory, California, USA. Known as the Whirlpool Galaxy

William Parsons 3rd Earl of Rosse : 17 June 1800 - 31 October 1867, was an Anglo-Irish astronomer who had several telescopes built

The Leviathan of Parsonstown, the 72 inch telescope built by William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse, in 1845. It was located at Birr Castle, Parsonstown, County Offaly

Drawings Prints, Print, Scene, Farce, called, Quaker, Subject, Artist, William Parsons
Drawings and Prints, Print, Scene in a Farce called The Quaker, Subject, Artist, Subject, William Parsons, Thomas Rowlandson, John Bannister, British, 1735-1795 London, British

The Late Earl of Rosse, K. P. illustration from the Illustrated London News
XJF701493 The Late Earl of Rosse, K.P. illustration from the Illustrated London News, 1867 (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: William Parsons)

Lord Rosses Great Telescope
This is the 6-foot telescope (the Leviathan of Birr), at Birr Castle, Parsonstown, Ireland. This telescope was constructed in 1845 by the Irish astronomer William Parsons (1800-1867)

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William Parsons was a man of many talents and accomplishments. From his portrayal of Periwinkle in Susannah Centlivres' A Bold Stroke for a Wife at Covent Garden Theatre in 1762 to his involvement in various engravings capturing significant moments in history, he left an indelible mark on the world. One such engraving depicts Parsons himself, showcasing his captivating presence and undeniable charm. Another engraving showcases the flooded colliery at Troedyrhiw, where Parsons can be seen among the brave rescuers and sufferers, demonstrating his selflessness and willingness to help others. Parsons' passion for knowledge and advancement is evident through his involvement in the installation of the Earl of Rosse as Chancellor of Trinity College, Dublin. This event symbolizes not only Parsons' dedication to education but also his commitment to progress. The Victorian era was a time marked by scientific advancements, and William Parsons played a crucial role in this progress. Through a photogravure depicting the era's scientific achievements, we catch a glimpse of Parson's contribution to this transformative period. Not limited to just one field or profession, William Parsons even dabbled in acting. An engraving captures him alongside other famous players from the past - proof that he possessed both talent and versatility. However, it is important to note that not all aspects of William Parson's life were filled with glory. An engraving portrays him as Highwayman William Parsons - perhaps hinting at some darker chapters within his story. Yet amidst these varied roles and experiences lies one constant: The Earl of Rosse's Great Telescope at Parsonstown. This awe-inspiring structure stands tall as a testament to Parson's unwavering curiosity about our universe and his relentless pursuit of knowledge. Whether it be on stage as Periwinkle or behind an engraver's tools capturing historical moments.