George Bishop's Observatory

In eighteen thirty-six, a wealthy wine merchant named George Bishop established a private astronomical observatory at his home, South Villa, in Regent's Park. Bishop was determined that his facility would achieve real scientific results rather than serving as a mere hobbyist's curiosity. He spared no expense on the equipment, most notably a seven-inch refracting telescope made by the famous instrument maker Dollond. This instrument was among the most powerful of its time and allowed the observatory to punch far above its weight in the scientific community.