Edward Troughton

The highly innovative Edward Troughton was probably the greatest English scientific instrument maker of his generation. Born in Cumberland, he comes from a family of scientific instrument makers. Edward and his brother John managed their business – making instruments for navigation, surveying, and astronomy – in Fleet Street, London, in a shop called the ‘Sign of the Orrery’, with their uncle John, from whom they eventually inherited the business.  

From 1826, after his brother’s death, Edward worked in partnership with William Simms. The name of Troughton remained prominent until the late 20th century, first through the Troughton family, then through Troughton & Simms (1826–1922), then through Cooke, Troughton & Simms until the late 1980s. 

The 3″ equatorial telescope at Armagh Observatory was delivered by him in 1795 and is believed to be the oldest telescope still in its original dome. It was a revolutionary design; a type which no astronomer had ever seen before. Nevil Maskelyne, the Astronomer Royal of the time, was very impressed with its novel design. Troughton was one of the founding members of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1820 (then the ‘Astronomical Society of London’). He was colour blind, which was a family trait.