# Percival Lowell

> American astronomer (1855-1916)

**Wikidata**: [Q218575](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q218575)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percival_Lowell)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/percival-lowell

## Summary

Percival Lowell was born on March 13, 1855, in Boston [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] and died on November 12, 1916, in Flagstaff [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. A citizen of the United States , he worked as an astronomer, mathematician, businessperson, writer, entrepreneur, and diplomat [9][10]. His professional fields included astronomy, mathematics, entrepreneurship, and diplomacy [9].Lowell attended Noble and Greenough School and Harvard University for his education . He was the son of Augustus Lowell [11] and Katherine Bigelow Lawrence [11]. His siblings were Amy Lowell, Abbott Lawrence Lowell, Katherine Lowell, and Elizabeth Lowell Putnam [11]. He married Constance Savage Keith [11].The cause of Lowell's death was a stroke . Following his death, he was buried at the Percival Lowell Mausoleum [12].

## Summary
Percival Lowell was an American astronomer, mathematician, and author who lived from 1855 to 1916. He is best known for his pioneering observations of Mars, which led to the popularization of the theory of Martian canals, and for initiating the search that eventually led to the discovery of Pluto.

## Biography
- **Born**: March 13, 1855
- **Died**: November 12, 1916
- **Nationality**: United States
- **Education**: Harvard University
- **Known for**: Observations of Mars, theories on planetary life, and the search for Planet X (Pluto)
- **Employer(s)**: Affiliated with Harvard University; Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Philosophical Society
- **Field(s)**: Astronomy, Mathematics, Diplomacy, Business, Writing, Botanical collection

## Contributions
Percival Lowell's work spanned multiple disciplines, leaving a lasting mark on astronomy and planetary science.
*   **Planetary Observation**: Lowell conducted extensive observations of Mars, Venus, and other celestial bodies. His work popularized the concept of "canals" on Mars, which he theorized were artificial structures created by an intelligent civilization.
*   **Search for Planet X**: He initiated the mathematical search for a trans-Neptunian planet, known as "Planet X." While he did not discover it himself, his calculations and efforts laid the groundwork for Clyde Tombaugh's discovery of Pluto in 1930.
*   **Astronomical Infrastructure**: He established the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, which became a major center for astronomical research.
*   **Publications**: Lowell was a prolific writer, authoring numerous books and papers on astronomy and his theories regarding the solar system.
*   **Botanical Collection**: Beyond astronomy, he contributed to science as a botanical collector.

## FAQs
**What was Percival Lowell's primary profession?**
While best known as an astronomer, Lowell was a polymath who worked as a mathematician, businessperson, entrepreneur, and diplomat. He was also a writer who used written words to communicate ideas and produce literary works.

**Where was Percival Lowell educated?**
Percival Lowell was educated at Harvard University.

**What honors did Percival Lowell receive?**
He was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a member of the American Philosophical Society. In 1897, he received the Prix Jules Janssen, a prestigious French astronomy award.

**What celestial features are named after Percival Lowell?**
Several features bear his name, including the **Lowell Regio** (a region on Pluto), **Lowell** (a crater on Mars), and **Lowell** (a lunar crater).

## Why They Matter
Percival Lowell matters as a pivotal figure in the history of planetary science who bridged the gap between 19th-century observation and 20th-century discovery. His intense focus on Mars ignited public imagination and influenced science fiction for generations, fundamentally shaping how humanity views its potential neighbors in the solar system. Although his theories about artificial canals on Mars were eventually disproven, his rigorous mathematical work regarding the perturbations of Uranus and Neptune orbits directly led to the discovery of Pluto. The observatory he founded remains a premier research institution, ensuring his legacy continues to drive astronomical discovery.

## Notable For
- **Founder of Lowell Observatory**: Established a major astronomical research facility.
- **Popularizer of Martian Canals**: His theories on Mars stimulated global interest in planetary science.
- **Predicting Pluto**: His calculations for "Planet X" paved the way for Pluto's discovery.
- **Prix Jules Janssen Recipient**: Awarded in 1897 for contributions to astronomy.
- **Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences**: Recognized for his scholarly contributions.
- **Member of the American Philosophical Society**: Inducted into the prestigious learned society founded by Benjamin Franklin.
- **Namesake Legacy**: Honored with a region on Pluto (Lowell Regio) and craters on both Mars and the Moon.

## Body

### Core Identity and Professional Roles
Percival Lowell was a multifaceted American figure, classified formally as an instance of a human (Homo sapiens). His professional life was defined by a diverse set of occupations. Primarily, he was an **astronomer**, a scientist who studies celestial bodies. He was also a **mathematician**, possessing extensive knowledge of mathematics, and a **businessperson** involved in revenue-generating activities. As an **entrepreneur**, he owned and operated business enterprises, assuming the risks inherent in such ventures. Additionally, Lowell served as a **diplomat**, appointed to conduct negotiations, and was a **writer**, producing literary works to communicate his ideas. He also functioned as a **botanical collector**, collecting plants for scientific research.

### Academic and Society Affiliations
Lowell's academic background included education at **Harvard University**. He held significant memberships in elite scholarly organizations. He was a **Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences**, an honorary society and policy research center founded in 1780. He was also a member of the **American Philosophical Society**, an American scholarly organization founded in 1743, headquartered in Philadelphia.

### Contributions to Astronomy and Science
Lowell's primary field of work was **astronomy**, the natural science studying celestial objects and phenomena. He was deeply involved in **entrepreneurship**, specifically the creation of economic value through his scientific endeavors. His most enduring contribution was the establishment of the Lowell Observatory. His research focused heavily on the solar system, leading to significant (though later debated) theories about Mars and Venus. His mathematical work on planetary orbits suggested the existence of a ninth planet, a hypothesis that was confirmed 14 years after his death with the discovery of Pluto.

### Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Lowell received several prestigious accolades. In **1897**, he was awarded the **Prix Jules Janssen**, a French astronomy award established in the same year. His fellowship in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and membership in the American Philosophical Society further cemented his status in the scientific community.

### Celestial Nomenclature
Percival Lowell's legacy is permanently inscribed on the maps of the solar system. **Lowell Regio** is a named region on Pluto. On Mars, a crater bears the name **Lowell**, as does a lunar crater on the Moon. These features serve as lasting tributes to his contributions to planetary science.

### Bibliographic and Archival Identifiers
Percival Lowell is extensively documented across global library and knowledge systems. His authority records include the Library of Congress Authority ID (**n86865348**), the Virtual International Authority File (**VIAF ID: 51821004**), and the German National Library ID (**GND ID: 11725133X**). He is indexed in the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) and has a significant digital footprint, including a Google Knowledge Graph ID (**/m/05_m5**) and a Reddit community presence. His works are cataloged under the Dewey Decimal Classification and are accessible via major encyclopedias including Britannica and the Great Russian Encyclopedia.

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