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Aletil Qaskelpne, A, FAS., 
Astronomer Aropal. 
By T. S. MasKELyrne. 
{VIL MASKELYNE, afterwards Astronomer Royal of 
England, was born 5th October (15th October, N.S.), 1732, 
at Kensington Gore, where his father, Edmund Maskelyne, resided. 
But, though the place of his birth was thus beyond the borders of 
our county, there can be no more question that his name is properly 
included in any catalogue of “ Wiltshire Worthies” than his claim 
can be disputed to eminent rank in the field of pure science, and to 
the very foremost rank among those benefactors of their country 
who have applied the teachings of science directly to the public 
good. His observations at St. Helena and on Schehallien have 
their place in the history of science, but it is as the projector of the 
“ Nautical Almanac”’ that his name will live longest in the memory 
of a land of mariners. 
The family of which in his latter days he became the representa- 
tive had belonged for more than three hundred years to Purton, in 
this county, and its vicinity. His lineal ancestor, Robert Maskelyne, 
from whom his descent is perfectly well traced by evidences, ‘“ held 
land freely” within the manor of Lydiard Millicent, Co. Wilts, as 
early as 1435. 
In the year 1560 one “ Edmond Maslin,” Robert’s descendant in 
the fifth degree, was christened at Purton, the earliest extant entry 
in the baptismal register there. He was M.P. for Cricklade in 
1625,! and is described sometimes as ‘“‘of the Inner Temple,” 
sometimes as ‘“‘of Cliffords Inn, gentleman.” His wife was a 
granddaughter of Mary Nevill, sister of Lord Abergavenny, 
and, like his neighbours at Oaksey, the Pooles, and with equal — 
1 The returns for Cricklade, 1625, are missing, but Brown Willis states that 
EdmundMaskelyne was M.P. for Cricklade in that year. 
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