Luke Howard

Luke Howard (November 28, 1772 – March 21, 1864) was a British meteorologist with broad interests in science. His lasting contribution to science is a nomenclature system for clouds, which he proposed in an 1802 presentation to the Askesian Society. Image File history File links Luke_Howard. ... Image File history File links Luke_Howard. ... November 28 is the 332nd day (333rd on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1772 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... March 21 is the 80th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (81st in leap years). ... 1864 (MDCCCLXIV) was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... Meteorology is the scientific study of the atmosphere that focuses on weather processes and forecasting. ... This article is about clouds in meteorology. ... --69. ... The Askesian Society was a social club for scientific thinkers, established in 1796 in London and lasting for about twenty years. ...

Howard has been called "the godfather of clouds". He named the three principal categories of clouds - cumulus, stratus, and cirrus, as well as a series of intermediate and compound modifications, such as cirrostratus and stratocumulus, in order to accommodate the transitions occurring between the forms. Howard was not the first to attempt a classification of clouds: Jean-Baptiste Lamarck (1744-1829) had earlier proposed a list of descriptive terms in French, but the success of Howard's system was due to his use of universal Latin, as well as to his emphasis on the mutability of clouds. By applying Linnean principles of natural history classification to phenomena as short-lived as clouds, Howard arrived at an elegant solution to the problem of naming transitional forms in nature. In addition to his seminal work on clouds he also contributed numerous papers on other meteorological topics, although with less success. Howard was also a pioneer in urban climate studies, publishing The Climate of London in 1818-20. A godparent, in Christianity, is someone who sponsors a childs baptism. ... Cumulus Clouds A cumulus cloud (Cu) is a cloud belonging to a class characterized by dense individual elements in the form of puffs, mounds or towers, with flat bases and tops that often resemble cauliflower. ... A Stratus cloud is a cloud belonging to a class characterized by horizontal layering with a uniform base, as opposed to convective clouds that are as tall or taller than wide (these are termed Cumulus clouds). ... A sky filled with cirrus clouds A cirrus cloud is a type of cloud characterized by thin, wisplike strands. ... Jean-Baptiste Lamarck Jean-Baptiste Pierre Antoine de Monet, Chevalier de Lamarck (August 1, 1744 – December 28, 1829) was a French naturalist and an early proponent of the idea that evolution occurred and proceeded in accordance with natural laws. ... Linnean is closely associated to the alternate spelling Linnaean, and can refer to any of the following: Linnean Linnean Society of London Linnean Medal Swedish Linnean Society Linnaean Carolus Linnaeus Linnaean taxonomy Linnaean enterprise This is a disambiguation page: a list of articles associated with the same title. ... Urban climate refers to climatic conditions in an urban area that differ from neighboring rural areas and are attributable to urban development. ...

Howard was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1821. He was a Quaker and a pharmacist by profession. He was born and lived in London, although he spent the years 1824-52 in Ackworth, Yorkshire. There is a blue plaque to Howard at 7 Bruce Grove, Tottenham, the house in which he died, aged 91. A fellow in the broadest sense is someone who is an equal or a comrade. ... The premises of the Royal Society in London (first four properties only). ... The Religious Society of Friends, commonly known as Quakers, or Friends, is a religious community founded in England in the 17th century. ... Pharmacists are health professionals who practice the art and science of pharmacy. ... The Houses of Parliament and the clock tower containing Big Ben Part of the London skyline viewed from the South Bank London (see Wiktionary:London for the name in other languages) is the capital of the United Kingdom and England. ...

Sources

Richard Hamblyn, The Invention of Clouds (London: Picador, 2001)

External links

• Luke Howard Biography
• More on Luke Howard