Reynold Kenneth Young

Reynold Kenneth Young

Reynold Kenneth Young, astronomer, professor (b at Binbrook, Ont 4 Oct 1886; d at Peterborough, Ont 24 Dec 1977). He was astronomer at the Dominion Observatory in Ottawa 1913-18 and at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory in Victoria, BC, 1918-24, professor at U of T 1924-45 and director of the David Dunlap Observatory in Richmond Hill, Ont, 1935-45. Young's research was primarily in the field of stellar radial velocities, the velocities of stars in the line of sight. His work helped place Canada among the world leaders in radial velocities. His unique contribution was his guidance in the design and construction of the 1.88 m telescope at the David Dunlap Observatory, where he planned and developed a far-reaching program of fundamental astrophysics. Copies of the telescope have been mounted in Egypt, South Africa, Japan and Australia.