Stephen Peter Rigaud (1774-1839), astronomer, was Savilian Professor of Astronomy at Oxford University, 1810-39, and also Radcliffe Observer from 1827. He came of a French Protestant family, and was the son of Stephen Rigaud, Observer at Kew. He was educated at Richmond and Exeter College, Oxford (matriculated 15 April 1791, BA 1797, MA 1799, Fellow of the College, 1794-1810). He was especially interested in the historical side of science, and is best known for his editions of Miscellaneous works and correspondence of the Rev. James Bradley (Oxford, 1832) and of Correspondence of Scientific Men of the Seventeenth Century, a posthumous work (Oxford, 1841). Further details are given in the Dictionary of National Biography.

Correspondence and papers of Stephen Peter Rigaud and members of his family, consisting of:

• Miscellaneous Rigaud family letters and papers, including copies of obituaries of Stephen Peter Rigaud, 1839
• Correspondence book of Stephen Peter Rigaud
• Grant to Stephen Peter Rigaud of MA degree from Trinity College, Dublin, 1839
• J[ohn] R[igaud], Stephen Peter Rigaud: A Memoir (privately printed Oxford, 1883)
• Miscellaneous genealogical notes on Rigaud and related families, 19th century

The papers were bought at Sotheby's in 1978.

Entry to read in the Library is permitted only on presentation of a valid reader's card (for admissions procedures see http://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/services/admissions/).

A full description is available in the Library.

See also Rigaud Manuscripts and the Savile Collection.

Astronomy

Genealogy

Rigaud | Stephen Peter | 1774-1839 | Astronomer