Friedrich Williclm Bessel, a German astronomer, born in Minden, July 22, 1784, died in Konigsberg, March 17, 1846. His fondness for science w\as aroused in Bremen, where he was employed in a merchant's office and became interested in nautical and other studies. Acquiring some proficiency in astronomy, he received through Olbers an appointment as assistant in the observatory of Lilienthal. In 1810 he was called to Konigsberg, where under his direction an observatory was built and rose to the highest importance, his connection with it ending only with his death. In 1818 he published Fundamenta Astronomice, a discussion of the observations made upon the fixed stars by Bradley at Greenwich 60 years before, and including dissertations of inestimable value on the method of stellar astronomy. He afterward published regularly his own observations, measured the distance of the star 61 Cygni from the earth, took a distinguished part in all the astronomical discoveries and geodetic discussions of his day, and was considered one of the foremost astronomers of the world, blending theory and practice with a master hand.

His posthumous work, Populate Varies ungen uber wissenschaftliche Gegenstdnde, edited by his friend Schumacher, was published in Hamburg in 1848.