Russell W. Porter

Astronomer

Birthday December 13, 1871

Birth Sign Sagittarius

Birthplace Vermont

DEATH DATE Feb 22, 1949 (77)

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About

One of founders of amateur astronomy and telescope making, who built up interest in backyard sky observations through his club, the Springfield Telescope Makers. He also did the preliminary designs for the famous Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles California.

Before Fame

He was an arctic explorer in his youth, in several expeditions to Greenland and the North Pole.

Trivia

He started a class to teach others how to make their own telescopes at home, creating with his students an amateur astronomer club they called Stellafane.

Family Life

He was born in Springfield, Vermont.

Associated With

His and other amateur astronomers' observations helped professional astronomers like David Rittenhouse.