Arthur Kett Barclay

Arthur Kett Barclay FRS, FRAS, FRGS, FGS (Bury Hill, Derbyshire, 20 June 1806 – 20 November 1869, Bury Hill, Dorking, Surrey) was the son of Charles Barclay (1780–1855) and Anna Maria (née Kett) (1781–1841). He was also a member of the Meteorological Society.

Early life

Barclay attended Harrow School after a period of private tutoring.
At the age of twenty (in 1826) he joined Barclay, Perkins & Co. brewers of Southwark, London.
He travelled through Europe between 1829 and 1833.

Marriage and children

Arthur married Maria Octavia Wright (ca. 1806–??) on an unknown date and had the following children.

• Robert Barclay (1837–1913)
• Reverend Charles Wright Barclay (1853–1926)

Astronomy

In 1848 Arthur Kett Barclay built his own astronomical observatory at Bury Hill, Dorking, Surrey. The revolving dome was made by Ransomes & May of Ipswich and the eight-inch (203mm) aperture refracting telescope was by Troughton & Simms of London

Barclay supported the Conservative Party, but "would never consent to be brought forward as a candidate".
He was also a magistrate and deputy lieutenant for the county of Surrey.

Fellow of the Geological Society from 1827
Master of the Worshipful Company of Brewers in 1840
Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society from 1840
Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society from 1845
Member of the Meteorological Society from 1850
Fellow of the Royal Society from 1852