# Wilhelm Beer

> Astronomer and banker (1797-1850)

**Wikidata**: [Q60133](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q60133)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm_Beer)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/wilhelm-beer

## Summary
Wilhelm Beer was a Prussian astronomer, banker, cartographer, and politician who lived from 1797 to 1850. A citizen of the Kingdom of Prussia, he is recognized for his contributions to the natural science of astronomy and his work in financial and political sectors. His legacy is honored through the naming of a lunar crater and a Martian crater after him, as well as receipt of prestigious scientific awards.

## Biography
- **Born:** January 4, 1797
- **Died:** March 27, 1850
- **Nationality:** Kingdom of Prussia
- **Education:** [Data not available in source material]
- **Known for:** Astronomy, banking, cartography, and politics
- **Employer(s):** [Data not available in source material]
- **Field(s):** Astronomy

## Contributions
Wilhelm Beer's professional contributions spanned multiple distinct disciplines. In the field of astronomy, he was recognized for scientific advances that earned him the Lalande Prize from the French Academy of Sciences. As a cartographer, he contributed to the preparation of geographical maps. His career also included significant roles in banking, where he worked as a person who manages or owns a bank, and in politics, where he held or sought positions in government.

## FAQs
**What was Wilhelm Beer's primary profession?**
Wilhelm Beer was known for his work as an astronomer and a banker, though he was also active as a cartographer and a politician.

**When did Wilhelm Beer live?**
He was born on January 4, 1797, and died on March 27, 1850.

**What awards did Wilhelm Beer receive?**
He received the Lalande Prize for scientific advances in astronomy, the Royal Order of Vasa (a Swedish order of chivalry), and the Order of the Dannebrog (an award in Denmark).

**What celestial features are named after Wilhelm Beer?**
Both a crater on Mars and a lunar crater are named "Beer" in his honor.

**Where was Wilhelm Beer from?**
He was a citizen of the Kingdom of Prussia, a former European state that existed from 1701 to 1918.

## Why They Matter
Wilhelm Beer matters for his multidisciplinary impact on 19th-century science and society. His receipt of the Lalande Prize signifies that his work in astronomy provided concrete scientific advances in the study of celestial objects and phenomena. By having craters on both the Moon and Mars named after him, his influence extends into the modern era of space exploration and celestial cartography. Additionally, his roles as a banker and politician highlight his engagement with the economic and governmental structures of the Kingdom of Prussia during a pivotal historical period.

## Notable For
- **Astronomical Recognition:** Recipient of the Lalande Prize, an award given by the French Academy of Sciences for advances in astronomy from 1802 until 1970.
- **International Honors:** Awarded the Royal Order of Vasa, a Swedish order of chivalry established in 1772.
- **Danish Award:** Recipient of the Order of the Dannebrog, a Danish award established in 1671.
- **Celestial Nomenclature:** The namesake of "Beer," a crater on Mars.
- **Lunar Nomenclature:** The namesake of "Beer," a lunar crater.
- **Multidisciplinary Career:** Distinguished himself across four different professions: astronomy, banking, cartography, and politics.

## Body

### Identity and Nationality
Wilhelm Beer, also known by the alias Wilhelm Wolff Beer, was a human and a citizen of the Kingdom of Prussia. This former European state, which was part of the German Empire after 1871, existed from 1701 to 1918. Beer's life spanned from January 4, 1797, to March 27, 1850, placing him within the first half of the 19th century.

### Professional Occupations
Beer's career was characterized by a diverse range of professional occupations. He was an astronomer, defined as a scientist who studies celestial bodies. In addition to his scientific pursuits, he was a banker, described as a person who works for, manages, or owns a bank. His professional portfolio also included work as a cartographer—a person preparing geographical maps—and as a politician, a person who holds or seeks positions in government.

### Field of Work: Astronomy
The primary field of work for Wilhelm Beer was astronomy. Astronomy is the natural science dedicated to the study of celestial objects and phenomena originating outside the Earth's atmosphere. It is classified as an exact science and a branch of physical science that organizes knowledge about the cosmos through systematic observation and theoretical modeling. The field encompasses various sub-disciplines, including astrophysics, cosmology, and astrometry, and involves the study of stars, galaxies, and celestial spheres.

### Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Beer received significant recognition for his contributions. He was awarded the Lalande Prize, an accolade specifically for scientific advances in astronomy. This prize was administered by the French Academy of Sciences from 1802 until 1970. Beyond his scientific achievements, he was honored with the Royal Order of Vasa, a Swedish order of chivalry instituted in 1772, and the Order of the Dannebrog, an award established in Denmark in 1671.

### Legacy and Celestial Features
Wilhelm Beer's legacy in the scientific community is cemented by the naming of planetary surface features in his honor. There is a crater on Mars named "Beer," as well as a lunar crater sharing the same name. These features serve as a lasting testament to his impact on the field of astronomy and the study of the solar system.

## References

1. Source
2. Beer, Wilhelm (ADB)
3. Integrated Authority File
4. International Standard Name Identifier
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. [LIBRIS. 2018](https://libris.kb.se/katalogisering/tr578bfc5jqslqg)