Joseph M. Baldwin
Encyclopedia
Joseph Mason Baldwin was Victorian
government astronomer 1920–1943.
Baldwin was born in Carlton
, Melbourne, Australia, the third son of Joseph Baldwin (d.1887) and his wife Emma Maria, née Graham. J.M. Baldwin's maternal grandfather was astronomer Andrew Graham who was involved in his grandson's training.
Baldwin received his professional education at the University of Melbourne
in the state of Victoria, Australia from 1896 to 1913, where he received two Bachelor's, a Master's and lastly a Doctor of Science
degree.
He was chief assistant at the Melbourne Observatory
from 1908, acting Director from 1915 and served as government astronomer in the state of Victoria from 1920–1943.
Baldwin was president, Royal Society of Victoria
1925-26; president, Section A, Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science
1930-31 and fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society
.
Baldwin became acquainted with the work of Edward J. Nanson
, a professor of mathematics at the University of Melbourne, and wrote an article describing an elimination method for the Borda count
based on Nanson's research.(1) This method is referred to as Baldwin's method.
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
government astronomer 1920–1943.
Baldwin was born in Carlton
Carlton, Victoria
Carlton is an inner city suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 2 km north from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Melbourne...
, Melbourne, Australia, the third son of Joseph Baldwin (d.1887) and his wife Emma Maria, née Graham. J.M. Baldwin's maternal grandfather was astronomer Andrew Graham who was involved in his grandson's training.
Baldwin received his professional education at the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
in the state of Victoria, Australia from 1896 to 1913, where he received two Bachelor's, a Master's and lastly a Doctor of Science
Doctor of Science
Doctor of Science , usually abbreviated Sc.D., D.Sc., S.D. or Dr.Sc., is an academic research degree awarded in a number of countries throughout the world. In some countries Doctor of Science is the name used for the standard doctorate in the sciences, elsewhere the Sc.D...
degree.
He was chief assistant at the Melbourne Observatory
Melbourne Observatory
Melbourne Observatory was founded in 1862 to serve as a scientific research institution for the rapidly growing city of Melbourne, the capital of the colony of Victoria. The observatory was tasked by the Victorian government with maintaining an accurate time reference for the colony through...
from 1908, acting Director from 1915 and served as government astronomer in the state of Victoria from 1920–1943.
Baldwin was president, Royal Society of Victoria
Royal Society of Victoria
The Royal Society of Victoria is the oldest learned society in the state of Victoria in Australia.The Royal Society of Victoria was formed in 1859 from a merger between The Philosophical Society of Victoria and The Victorian Institute for the Advancement of Science , both founded...
1925-26; president, Section A, Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science
Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science
The Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science is an organisation that was founded in 1888 by Archibald Liversidge as the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science to promote science. It was modelled on the British Association for the Advancement of Science...
1930-31 and fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society
Royal Astronomical Society
The Royal Astronomical Society is a learned society that began as the Astronomical Society of London in 1820 to support astronomical research . It became the Royal Astronomical Society in 1831 on receiving its Royal Charter from William IV...
.
Baldwin became acquainted with the work of Edward J. Nanson
Edward J. Nanson
Edward John Nanson was a mathematician known for devising Nanson's method , a variation of the Borda count using successive elimination down to the winner....
, a professor of mathematics at the University of Melbourne, and wrote an article describing an elimination method for the Borda count
Borda count
The Borda count is a single-winner election method in which voters rank candidates in order of preference. The Borda count determines the winner of an election by giving each candidate a certain number of points corresponding to the position in which he or she is ranked by each voter. Once all...
based on Nanson's research.(1) This method is referred to as Baldwin's method.