Archbishop James Ussher

Armagh Planetarium and Observatory

(1581–1656, in office 1625–1656)

James Ussher is considered one of the greatest scholars and theologians of his time. In his search for knowledge he travelled widely in Britain and Europe, seeking the earliest available manuscripts, buying those he could and copying others. After his death, his extensive and valuable library formed the nucleus of the great library of Trinity College Dublin.

His uncle, Henry Ussher (c.1550–1613), also the Archbishop of Armagh (1595–1613) and one of the founders of Trinity College Dublin, had a hand in James’s education, and James held a professorship at the recently established institution.

Ussher is best known for his calculation of the age of the Universe, known as the ‘Ussher chronology’. He determined the first day of biblical creation was October 23, 4004 BC. While this, of course, disagrees with the modern understanding of the Earth and the Universe, the work nonetheless represented a considerable feat of scholarship. He had to be very learned in ancient history, the Bible, languages, ancient calendars and, indeed, astronomy. His work helped continue Armagh’s reputation as a renowned centre of learning.

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