The position of Savilian Professor of Astronomy was established at the University of Oxford in 1619. It was founded by Sir Henry Savile, a mathematician and classical scholar who was Warden of Merton
Sir Henry Savile, founder of the professorship
John Greaves, professor 1643–1648, also an Orientalist who surveyed the Great Pyramid of Giza.
Seth Ward, professor 1649–1660 and later Bishop of Salisbury
The architect Christopher Wren (painted here by Sir Godfrey Kneller in 1711) was astronomy professor from 1661 to 1673.
Seth Ward was an English mathematician, astronomer, and bishop.
Bishop Ward, portrait by John Greenhill
