Nationality Welsh, Scottish Role Journalist Name Arthur Phillips | Occupation Journalist Citizenship British | |
Born October 21, 1860 ( 1860-10-21 ) Aberdeen, Scotland Died January 15, 1926, Cardiff, United Kingdom Known for Journalism, Astronomy, History | ||
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.
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Journalist
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 the editor of the first edition of Who's Who in Wales, published in 1921.
Astronomer
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 later acted as editor of the society's magazine the Cambrian Natural Observer. He continued to contribute to the society until World War I, when it was disbanded.
The crater Mee on the Moon is named in his honor.
Historian
Mee became noted for his writing about history, particularly about Carmarthenshire. His works included Caermarthenshire Notes, and Miscellany for South-West Wales and a history of the Anglican parish church in Llanelli.