John Pringle Nichol who, a Scottish Romantic astronomer, educator, and social reformer, who produced popular science books between 1846 and 1850. As the 5th Regius Professor of Astronomy at the University of Edinburgh , influenced the building of a large observatory beyond the city on Horselethill, paid for by the local citizens. In 1841, it was saved from financial collapse by the University. Part of the difficulties had arisen through Nichol's extravagance in purchasing unnecessarily expensive equipment. Eventually, Horselethill Observatory was kept in operation for 100 years. Nichol was a prolific writer and populariser of Astronomy; his books Contemplations on the Solar System and Views of the Architecture of the Heavens, the latter expanding on the Nebular Hypothesis, and one describing the discovery of Neptune

John Pringle Nichol who, a Scottish Romantic astronomer, educator, and social reformer, who produced popular science books between 1846 and 1850. As the 5th Regius Professor of Astronomy at the University of Edinburgh , influenced the building of a large observatory beyond the city on Horselethill, paid for by the local citizens. In 1841, it was saved from financial collapse by the University. Part of the difficulties had arisen through Nichol's extravagance in purchasing unnecessarily expensive equipment. Eventually, Horselethill Observatory was kept in operation for 100 years. Nichol was a prolific writer and populariser of Astronomy; his books Contemplations on the Solar System and Views of the Architecture of the Heavens, the latter expanding on the Nebular Hypothesis, and one describing the discovery of Neptune