"Observationes Astronomicae in Specula Regia Monachiensi institutae. . .." by LAMONT, Johann von (1805-1879) - 1842

Extract from: Annalen d. Munchnen Sternwarte, Vol. 26, 1833. Monachii:: Hubschmanniana, 1842., 1842. FIRST EDITION. Two parts in one. 4to. [iv], 147; [iv], 119, [1] pp. Tables. Lacks binding. Ms. notation on top cover. Very good. "Lamont was the son of Robert Lamont, custodian of an earl's estate in Scotland. One of three sons of a second marriage, he displayed superior talents as early as primary school; but his education was placed in question when he was twelve by the death of his father. In 1817, however, he was accepted as a pupil at the St. Jacob Scottish Foundation in Regensburg. He never saw his family again. In Regensburg, Lamont studied primarily German, Latin, and Greek, but was particularly fond of mathematics. He studied the works of Euler and other classics in the original languages. In a mechanics workshop he acquired practical knowledge of great importance for his later work in constructing scientific measuring instruments. In 1827 he was sent to the astronomical observatory at Bogenhausen, near Munich, in order to develop his knowledge and abilities. His intelligence and dexterity won the full approval of the observatory's director, Soldner, and Lamont was consequently appointed an assistant at the observatory only one year later. Following Soldner's death in 1833, Lamont provisionally took over the directorship of the observatory. In this capacity he displayed initiative and extraordinary scientific industry. . .. The majority of his scientific findings are contained in the series of publications of the Bogenhausen observatory, especially Observationes Astronomicae in Specula Regia Monachiensi institutae. . .." - DSB. DSB, VII, pp. 607-609; Poggendorf, I, col. 1361.