Keywords
Citation
(2005), "Patrick Moore – the auto biography", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 77 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2005.12777cae.001
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2005, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Patrick Moore – the auto biography
Patrick Moore – the auto biography
Keywords: Astronomy
Sir Patrick Moore, the Godfather of Astronomy, has only now, after 81 years, given us this long-awaited opportunity to read his truly remarkable life story.
Throughout his distinguished career, Patrick Moore has, without a doubt, done more to raise the profile of astronomy among the British public than any other figure in the scientific world. As the presenter of The Sky at Night on BBC television for nearly 50 years he was honoured with an OBE in 1968 and a CBE in 1988. In 2001 he was knighted for services to the popularisation of science and to broadcasting.
The BBC first aired The Sky at Night in April 1957 and it is now in the record books as the world's longest running TV series with the same presenter. He is also the author of over 60 books on astronomy, all of which, including his autobiography have been written on his 1908 typewriter. Partly thanks to his larger-than-life personality, Sir Patrick's own fame extends far beyond astronomical circles. A self-taught musician and talented composer, he has displayed his xylophone-playing skills at the Royal Variety Performance and as a passionate supporter of cricket, he has played for the Lord's Taverners charity cricket team.
Sir Patrick has crossed paths with numerous phenomenal people including: Neil Armstrong, the Pianist Rachmaninov, and Einstein. He has certainly lived an extremely illustrious life and this is superbly depicted in what is, the only autobiography that he has ever written.
Patrick was born on 4 March 1923 in Pinner, Middlesex. At the age of 6 months he and his parents moved to Sussex where he has lived ever since. Between the ages of 6 and 17 years Patrick was ill, on and off, and so was mostly educated at home.
During this time he picked up his mother's copy of The Story of the Solar System which sparked his lifelong passion for astronomy.
In 2001, Patrick received a knighthood from the Queen, won a BAFTA for his services to television and became a member of the celebrated Royal Society. Astronomy remains his first love and his enthusiasm for the subject shows no sign of dwindling as he enters his 82nd year.
Details available from: Sutton Publishing. Tel: +44 (0) 1453 732452; web site: www.suttonpublishing.co.uk