Le Verrier-- magnificent and detestable astronomer / James Lequeux ; edited and with an introduction by William Sheehan ; translated by Bernard Sheehan
The Years of His Youth (1811-1845) -- The Discovery of Neptune (1845-1846) -- Waiting in the Wings (1847-1853) -- The Observatory: At Last! -- The Dictator (1854-1870) -- The Fall (1870-1872) -- The Second Reign (1873-1877) -- Telegraphic Longitudes -- Le Verrier and Meteorology -- The Legacy of Le Verrier
Summary
Le Verrier was a superb scientist. His discovery of Neptune in 1846 made him the most famous astronomer of his time. He produced a complete theory of the motions of the planets which served as a basis for planetary ephemeris for a full century. Doing this, he discovered an anomaly in the motion of Mercury which later became the first proof of General Relativity. He also founded European meteorology. However his arrogance and bad temper created many enemies, and he was even fired from his position of Director of the Paris Observatory
