About Sherburne Wesley Burnham
Lived 1838 – 1921 (aged 82). Sherburne Wesley Burnham was an American astronomer.
Sherburne Wesley Burnham (December 12, 1838 – March 11, 1921) was an American astronomer.
For more than 50 years Burnham spent all his free time observing the heavens, mainly concerning himself with binary stars.
Biography Sherburne Wesley Burnham was born in Thetford, Vermont. His parents were Roswell O. Burnham and Marinda (née Foote) Burnham.
He graduated from the academy in Thetford, and that was the extent of his schooling. which piqued his interest in astronomy.
After the war, he moved to Chicago and worked as a court reporter for over 20 years. At night Burnham was an amateur astronomer, except for four years (1888–1892) he worked as a professional astronomer at Lick Observatory. He left court reporting in 1902, but remained in Chicago. From 1897–1914 he was an astronomer at Yerkes Observatory.
The lunar crater Burnham and asteroid were named in his honour.
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Sherburne Wesley Burnham?
American astronomer (1838–1921)
When was Sherburne Wesley Burnham born?
Sherburne Wesley Burnham was born on 12 December 1838 in Thetford.
When did Sherburne Wesley Burnham die?
Sherburne Wesley Burnham died on 11 March 1921 in Chicago.
What was Sherburne Wesley Burnham's occupation?
Sherburne Wesley Burnham was an astronomer.
What nationality was Sherburne Wesley Burnham?
Sherburne Wesley Burnham was American.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: Sherburne Wesley Burnham
· DBpedia: Sherburne Wesley Burnham
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Sherburne Wesley Burnham. https://biography.guide/sherburne-wesley-burnham/
MLA: "Sherburne Wesley Burnham." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/sherburne-wesley-burnham/.
Chicago: "Sherburne Wesley Burnham." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/sherburne-wesley-burnham/.
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