George James Gibbs

George James Gibbs (1866 – 22 February 1947) was an astronomer, engineer, inventor and public science lecturer. He invented a heliochronometer 'which was able to accurately determine GMT to within a minute at any time of the year and at any latitude', the patrons of which included H.M. The King and most of the large country house gardens of his time in England, including those designed by Lutyens and Mawson. The accuracy of Gibbs's heliochronometer 'was only truly alleviated with the broadcast of the BBC pips in the 1920s'.

Early life George James Gibbs was born in London in 1866. He was educated at Bedford Modern School, where he was head boy, and afterwards won an engineering scholarship to the City and Guilds of London Institute. He was a regular contributor to the journals of the Royal Astronomical Society and in 1914 was appointed a member of the Society's eclipse expedition to Härnösand, Sweden.

The Heliochronometer

In 1906 Gibbs invented a heliochronometer. The heliochronometer 'which was able to accurately determine GMT to within a minute at any time of the year and at any latitude', the patrons of which included H.M. The King. The accuracy of Gibbs's invention 'was only truly alleviated with the broadcast of the BBC pips in the 1920s'.

Public science lecturing Gibbs actively encouraged the study of astronomy through public lectures and demonstrations. During his curatorship of the Preston Municipal Observatory he 'devoted an incalculable amount of time to the service of the public, willingly sacrificing his own interests in order to foster in others the enthusiasm which never deserted him'.

Personal life George James Gibbs was affectionately known as "G.J.G." His obituary as a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society described his character thus: 'The pleasant recollections of his courteous manner, kindly teachings and the institutions he has left are memorials to a true amateur of science, whose exceptional talents enabled him to be also a fine musician and skilful artist'. He married Annie (née Thomlinson) of Bedford who predeceased him in November 1936. Gibbs died on 22 February 1947 and was survived by a daughter.