# William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse

> Anglo-Irish astronomer (1800-1867)

**Wikidata**: [Q310121](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q310121)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Parsons,_3rd_Earl_of_Rosse)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/william-parsons-3rd-earl-of-rosse

## Summary
William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse, was an Anglo-Irish astronomer and politician who lived from 1800 to 1867. He is best known for constructing the Leviathan of Parsonstown, a large telescope built in 1845 that represented a significant advancement in astronomical instrumentation. As a prominent figure in the scientific community, he was affiliated with major learned societies such as the Royal Society and the Russian Academy of Sciences.

## Biography
- **Born:** June 17, 1800
- **Nationality:** United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Kingdom of Great Britain
- **Education:** Magdalen College, Trinity College Dublin
- **Known for:** Construction of the Leviathan of Parsonstown telescope; contributions to astronomy
- **Field(s):** Astronomy, Politics
- **Citizenship:** United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Kingdom of Great Britain

## Contributions
William Parsons' primary contribution to science was the development and creation of the **Leviathan of Parsonstown**, a telescope completed in **1845**. This instrument served as his most notable work and established his reputation in the field of astronomy. Additionally, his professional life was marked by his involvement in politics and his membership in prestigious scientific organizations, including the Royal Society, the Saint Petersburg Academy of Sciences, and the Russian Academy of Sciences.

## FAQs
**What is William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse famous for building?**
He is famous for building the Leviathan of Parsonstown, a telescope that was completed in 1845 and is considered his most notable work.

**Where did William Parsons receive his education?**
He was educated at Magdalen College, a constituent college of the University of Oxford, and Trinity College Dublin.

**What awards and honors did William Parsons receive?**
He received the Royal Medal, the Royal Society Bakerian Medal, and the Order of St Patrick.

**What scientific societies was William Parsons associated with?**
He was affiliated with the Royal Society, the Saint Petersburg Academy of Sciences, and the Russian Academy of Sciences.

**What were William Parsons' primary occupations?**
He worked as an astronomer and a politician.

## Why They Matter
William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse, matters significantly for his role in advancing astronomical engineering through the construction of the Leviathan of Parsonstown. This work contributed to the capabilities of celestial observation during the 19th century. His recognition by major institutions, such as the receipt of the Royal Medal and the Royal Society Bakerian Medal, highlights his influence on the scientific landscape of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. His legacy is further cemented by his membership in international academies and the naming of the lunar impact crater "Rosse" in his honor.

## Notable For
- **Leviathan of Parsonstown:** Construction of this major telescope in 1845.
- **Awards:** Recipient of the Royal Medal, the Royal Society Bakerian Medal, and the Order of St Patrick.
- **Memberships:** Member of the Royal Society, the Saint Petersburg Academy of Sciences, and the Russian Academy of Sciences.
- **Eponym:** The lunar impact crater Rosse is named after him.
- **Affiliations:** Connected to the Irish astronomer Robert Stawell Ball.
- **Titles:** Also known as Baron Oxmantown, Lord Oxmantown, and Lord Rosse.

## Body

### Identity and Background
William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse, was an Anglo-Irish human born on June 17, 1800, and died on October 31, 1867. He held the titles of Baron Oxmantown, Lord Oxmantown, and Lord Rosse. His citizenship was tied to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland as well as the Kingdom of Great Britain. He was a multifaceted individual, working professionally as both an astronomer and a politician.

### Education
Parsons pursued his higher education at two prominent institutions. He attended Magdalen College, a constituent college of the University of Oxford in England. He also studied at Trinity College, Dublin, a constituent college of the University of Dublin in Ireland.

### Scientific Work and The Leviathan of Parsonstown
The centerpiece of Parsons' scientific career was the construction of the Leviathan of Parsonstown. This telescope, built in 1845, became his most notable work and stood as a significant achievement in the field of astronomy. The creation of this instrument placed him at the forefront of astronomical research and observation during his lifetime.

### Professional Affiliations and Memberships
Throughout his career, Parsons maintained strong ties with the scientific community. He was a member of the Royal Society, an English learned society for science established in 1660. His influence extended internationally, as he was also affiliated with the Saint Petersburg Academy of Sciences (a historical academy existing from 1724 to 1917) and the Russian Academy of Sciences.

### Awards and Recognition
Parsons received numerous accolades for his contributions to science. He was awarded the Royal Medal, a silver-gilt medal awarded by the Royal Society, and the Royal Society Bakerian Medal, which recognizes exceptional and outstanding science. Additionally, he was honored with the Order of St Patrick, an order of chivalry associated with Ireland.

### Related Entities and Legacy
Parsons' legacy is intertwined with other notable figures and geographic features. He was affiliated with Robert Stawell Ball, an Irish astronomer who lived from 1840 to 1913. Furthermore, a lunar impact crater named Rosse is listed among the entities related to him, serving as a celestial testament to his impact on the science of astronomy.

## References

1. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
2. Integrated Authority File
3. The Peerage
4. Hansard 1803–2005
5. The History of Parliament
6. [Source](https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=OM1BAQAAMAAJ&pg=PR20&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false)
7. Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary
8. A Short History of Astronomy
9. Virtual International Authority File
10. SNAC
11. Croatian Encyclopedia
12. Dictionary of Irish Biography
13. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
14. Parsons, William, Baron Oxmantown
15. CERL Thesaurus
16. LIBRIS. 2005