Dr Jesse Garrison, FRAS
Historian of Science | PhD in History & Philosophy of Science (UCL 2026)
History of Astronomy and Mathematics in the Nineteenth Century
I'm a historian of science primarily interested in the history of astronomy, particularly nineteenth century solar research.
My recent PhD thesis, British Solar Eclipse Expeditions in the Nineteenth Century (UCL 2026), explored how and why British astronomers travelled to observe total eclipses as well as how these expeditions evolved and adapted with changing attitudes around solar research, fluctuating government and organisational support, advancements in instrument design including new technologies such as photography and spectroscopy, as well as the shifting demographics of those conducting solar research.
Previously, I undertook research in observational astronomy and solar physics, including computer modelling of the upper atmosphere of M-dwarf class stars (see Publications).
In addition to my primary research, I'm also interested in:
- invisible labour in the history of astronomy, especially the role of women
- analysing historic scientific instruments
- the display and acquisition of museum artefacts
I am also a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society.