George Madeira
Encyclopedia
George David Madeira was a mining
engineer
and mineralogist who founded the first astronomical observatory in California
in the town of Volcano
.
Madeira arrived with his family from Illinois
in Volcano on August 30, 1852. They, like many others, had come in search of gold
during the California Gold Rush
. He had been interested in astronomy as a child, reporting to have observed a comet
in February, 1843. Although his formal education had ended at age 15, he continued to study mathematics
from a neighbor, a Methodist minister from British Columbia
named Telerand.
In 1860, he set up a crude observatory consisting of his telescope (which he had delivered from San Francisco), and a heavy canvas and oilcloth covering. On October 18 of that year, the Sacramento Daily Union published a letter from him (under a pseudonym
) regarding sunspot
activity, the earliest recorded publication of astronomical research in California. On June 30, 1861, he observed a large and bright comet, which was later dubbed the Great Comet of 1861 (unbeknownst to him, it had already been discovered by Australia
n John Tebbutt
over a month earlier, but news of the discovery had not reached the northern hemisphere yet). The family left Volcano for Carson City, Nevada
in 1862 and Madeira sold his telescope to Josiah Whitney
of the California Geological Survey
.
In addition to his recorded observations, Madeira made another important contribution to astronomy. He was a paid lecturer even as a young man, taking his telescope around the state. After one such lecture in 1860 in San José
attended by James Lick
, he and Lick spent the next few nights observing the skies at Lick's estate. At one point, Madeira told Lick, "If I had your wealth, Mr. Lick, I'd build the world's largest telescope on top of that mountain," pointing out a spot where the present Lick Observatory
sits. Although he was not the only influence, he was probably the first to suggest to Lick the idea of a large telescope.
Madeira went on to a varied career as a mining geologist
, mineralogist (he was Curator of the California mineral exhibit at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, Missouri
), journalist
, prospector
, and mining consultant. He never lost his interest in astronomy and he wrote many articles on aspects of astronomy for the newspapers he worked at. At one point, he applied for a position at Lick Observatory when it opened, but in this he was not successful.
Mining
Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or seam. The term also includes the removal of soil. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock...
engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
and mineralogist who founded the first astronomical observatory in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in the town of Volcano
Volcano, California
Volcano is a census-designated place in Amador County, California. It lies at an elevation of 2070 feet . The population was 115 at the 2010 census. It is located at , just north of Pine Grove. The town is registered as California Historical Landmark #29...
.
Madeira arrived with his family from Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
in Volcano on August 30, 1852. They, like many others, had come in search of gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
during the California Gold Rush
California Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. The first to hear confirmed information of the gold rush were the people in Oregon, the Sandwich Islands , and Latin America, who were the first to start flocking to...
. He had been interested in astronomy as a child, reporting to have observed a comet
Comet
A comet is an icy small Solar System body that, when close enough to the Sun, displays a visible coma and sometimes also a tail. These phenomena are both due to the effects of solar radiation and the solar wind upon the nucleus of the comet...
in February, 1843. Although his formal education had ended at age 15, he continued to study mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
from a neighbor, a Methodist minister from British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
named Telerand.
In 1860, he set up a crude observatory consisting of his telescope (which he had delivered from San Francisco), and a heavy canvas and oilcloth covering. On October 18 of that year, the Sacramento Daily Union published a letter from him (under a pseudonym
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
) regarding sunspot
Sunspot
Sunspots are temporary phenomena on the photosphere of the Sun that appear visibly as dark spots compared to surrounding regions. They are caused by intense magnetic activity, which inhibits convection by an effect comparable to the eddy current brake, forming areas of reduced surface temperature....
activity, the earliest recorded publication of astronomical research in California. On June 30, 1861, he observed a large and bright comet, which was later dubbed the Great Comet of 1861 (unbeknownst to him, it had already been discovered by Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n John Tebbutt
John Tebbutt
John Tebbutt was an Australian astronomer, credited with discovering the "Great Comet of 1861" .-Early life:...
over a month earlier, but news of the discovery had not reached the northern hemisphere yet). The family left Volcano for Carson City, Nevada
Carson City, Nevada
The Consolidated Municipality of Carson City is the capital of the state of Nevada. The words Consolidated Municipality refer to a series of changes in 1969 which abolished Ormsby County and merged all the settlements contained within its borders into Carson City. Since that time Carson City has...
in 1862 and Madeira sold his telescope to Josiah Whitney
Josiah Whitney
Josiah Dwight Whitney was an American geologist, professor of geology at Harvard University , and chief of the California Geological Survey...
of the California Geological Survey
California Geological Survey
Although it was not until 1880 that the California State Mining Bureau, predecessor to the California Geological Survey, was established, the "roots" of California's state geological survey date to an earlier time...
.
In addition to his recorded observations, Madeira made another important contribution to astronomy. He was a paid lecturer even as a young man, taking his telescope around the state. After one such lecture in 1860 in San José
San Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
attended by James Lick
James Lick
James Lick was an American carpenter, piano builder, land baron, and patron of the sciences. At the time of his death, he was the wealthiest man in California, and left the majority of his estate to social and scientific causes.-Early years:James Lick was born in Stumpstown Pennsylvania on August...
, he and Lick spent the next few nights observing the skies at Lick's estate. At one point, Madeira told Lick, "If I had your wealth, Mr. Lick, I'd build the world's largest telescope on top of that mountain," pointing out a spot where the present Lick Observatory
Lick Observatory
The Lick Observatory is an astronomical observatory, owned and operated by the University of California. It is situated on the summit of Mount Hamilton, in the Diablo Range just east of San Jose, California, USA...
sits. Although he was not the only influence, he was probably the first to suggest to Lick the idea of a large telescope.
Madeira went on to a varied career as a mining geologist
Geologist
A geologist is a scientist who studies the solid and liquid matter that constitutes the Earth as well as the processes and history that has shaped it. Geologists usually engage in studying geology. Geologists, studying more of an applied science than a theoretical one, must approach Geology using...
, mineralogist (he was Curator of the California mineral exhibit at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
), journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
, prospector
Prospecting
Prospecting is the physical search for minerals, fossils, precious metals or mineral specimens, and is also known as fossicking.Prospecting is a small-scale form of mineral exploration which is an organised, large scale effort undertaken by mineral resource companies to find commercially viable ore...
, and mining consultant. He never lost his interest in astronomy and he wrote many articles on aspects of astronomy for the newspapers he worked at. At one point, he applied for a position at Lick Observatory when it opened, but in this he was not successful.