Arthur Butler Phillips Mee

:"There was also a Arthur Mee, who produced" The Children's Encyclopedia.Arthur Butler Phillips Mee (born Aberdeen, October 21 1860-died Llanishen, January 15 1926) was a Scottish-born newspaper journalist, editor and notable amateur astronomer.

He was born the son of a Baptist pastor George S. Mee and his wife Elizabeth. After leaving the ministry, Arthur's father became a journalist and he moved the family to western Wales. The son joined his father's profession, becoming a journalist in the town of Llanelli. He was married to Claudia Thomas in 1888.

In 1892 the couple moved to Cardiff where he began working at the "Western Mail", a regional newspaper. He continued to work at the same newspaper up until his death, writing a regular column and performing editorial work as an assistant.

He was most noted for his efforts in support of amateur astronomy. In 1890 he was a founding member of the British Astronomical Association, and for a period of time was a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. His observations focused on the Moon and Mars, including making detailed charts and drawings of the features. Two of his drawings appeared in "La Planète Mars" by
Camille Flammarion.

He was a regular contributor to various scientific and technical publications. In 1892 he became the first person to observe the shadow of the moon Titan during a transit of the planet Saturn.

In 1893 he published the book "Observational Astronomy". Two years later in 1895 he helped initiate foundation of the "Astronomical Society of Wales", thereafter becoming the first president and editing the Society's journal. He continued to contribute to the society until the start of World War I, when it was disbanded.

He was the editor of the first edition of "Who's Who in Wales", published in 1921.

Mee crater on the Moon was named in his honor.

External links

* [http://brynjones.members.beeb.net/wastronhist/p_amee.html ARTHUR MEE (1860-1926)] , biography by Bryn Jones with references.