Mathematician and astronomer Robert Stawell Ball (1840-1913) was one of the most successful popularizers of science of his time. Tutor to the children of the fourth Earl of Rosse and observer at Birr Castle, he later moved to Dublin as Royal Astronomer of Ireland until becoming Lowndean professor at Cambridge in 1893. He was named an Honorary Member of the Astronomical and Physical Society of Toronto on 1894-01-09. The asteroid (4809) Robertball is dedicated to him.
