Joseph Gurney Barclay

Joseph Gurney Barclay FRAS (1816 – 25 April 1898) was the son of Robert and Elizabeth Barclay (née Gurney). Joseph Gurney Barclay followed the banking profession for more than fifty years. In his later career he was head of the Barclay & Bevan bank and retired at the age of 80 when his bank amalgamated with others into a limited company in 1896, becoming Barclays.

Biography Barclay was a banker by profession and an amateur astronomer.

Astronomical Work Barclay built an observatory in the grounds of Knotts Green in 1862. The observatory, which was located at 51° 34' 34" N latitude and 0h 0.87m W longitude (equivalent to just under 0.22°), was equipped with a -inch (184mm) aperture equatorial telescope made by Thomas Cooke & Sons of York in 1854.

Marriage and children Barclay married twice, first to Mary Walker Leatham and second to Margaret Exton. With his first wife he had two sons and one daughter., and Henry Albert Barclay CVO.

Religion

Barclay was a member of the Religious Society of Friends.

Published works Leyton Observations (4 volumes).

Honours, decorations, awards and distinctions Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society from 1855.

References/Notes and references