Biography
Allan Chapman is a historian of science at Oxford University, with a special interest in the history of astronomy. He has written 13 books and numerous academic articles, and made several television programmes. He has received honorary doctorates and awards from the Universities of Central Lancashire, Salford, and Lancaster, and in 2015 was presented with the Jackson-Gwilt Medal by the Royal Astronomical Society. His latest books include Stargazers: Copernicus, Galileo, the Telescope, and the Church. The Astronomical Renaissance, 1500–1700 (Lion Hudson, 2014), a revised edition of The Victorian Amateur Astronomer: Independent Astronomical Research in Britain 1820–1920 (Gracewing, 2017), and Comets, Cosmology, and the Big Bang: A History of Astronomy from Edmond Halley to Edwin Hubble, 1700–2000 (Lion Hudson, 2018).
Allan Chapman’s greatest astronomers in history
At its heart, astronomy is a human endeavour of curiosity and investigation. As such, a multitude of colourful characters have shaped our knowledge of the Universe over hundreds of years, as each generation and culture has tried to make sense of their place in the cosmos. Join our very own Astrofest colourful character Allan Chapman, in conversation at this year’s event with one of our co-chairs. Allan will discuss his life-long passion for history and astronomy, which he has so expertly communicated to audiences for decades. Come and listen as Allan reveals his favourite characters from the past and shares his favourite Astrofest anecdotes.