Harold Jacoby

Harold Jacoby (4 March 1865 – 20 July 1932) was an American astronomer, born in New York City.^[1]

Harold Jacoby
Born	(1865-03-04)March 4, 1865
Died	July 20, 1932(1932-07-20) (aged 67)
Nationality	American
Alma mater	Columbia University
Occupation	Astronomer

Career overview

Jacoby received his B.A. from Columbia College in 1885 and his Ph.D. from Columbia in 1896.^[2] He applied himself to astronomical research, and was appointed assistant astronomer for the United States eclipse expedition to West Africa (1889–90).

He was a professor at Columbia University from 1885 until 1929, teaching Astronomy, Geodesy, and Navigation.^[2] He chaired the department until shortly before his death. Columbia's Rutherfurd Observatory was started during his tenure, with a twelve-inch Clarke refractor telescope and a transit instrument emplaced atop Pupin Hall.

Jacoby made many observations of celestial events such as lunar and solar eclipses. He was well known in Europe and America, and was a member of a large number of scientific groups. He published Practical Talks by an Astronomer (1891, 1902), Astronomy: A Popular Handbook (1913)^[3][4] and Navigation (1917).