Jeur India Total Eclipse Jan 22, 1898
Angela O'Sullivan contacted the High Altitude Observatory in August 2017. She felt it important to share with us certain historical photographs taken by her Great Grandfather, Henry Cousens, during the Jeur India Total Eclipse, Jan 22, 1898. These photographs have been in the possession of M. Barbara Duncan (Henry Cousens' granddaughter), since the late 1950's or early 1960's, having inherited them through her 'Cousens' family lineage. The 'Cousens eclipse photos' became part of the M. Barbara Duncan 'Estate' at her passing. Barbara Duncan's son confirmed that under the laws of the United Kingdom, any publication right lasts for 25 years from first publication (in this case c. 1898). Therefore, he believed, that the family now in possession or ownership of the photos would now have the right to give any permission to now publish those photos. Possibly inspired by the total eclipse that occurred in the U.S. on August 21, 2017, Angela O'Sullivan was eager to share her families photographic heritage with an organization, HAO, that would appreciate her desire to honor her Great Grandfather and share in her enthusiasm for the historical significance of his photographic legacy.
Henry Cousens (b. 13 Sep 1854; d. Tunbridge Wells, 1933) was a renowned archaeologist (Superintendent of the Archaeological Survey of India), engineer and photographer. He was part of the British Astronomical expedition to Jeur to photograph the eclipse on Jan 22 1898. Cousens' remarkable eclipse photograph and several photos of him and the photographic equipment that was used for the event are shown below. Also included are some 1898 Solar Eclipse background reports.
1898 Solar Eclipse photograph by Henry Cousens, Jeur, India
1898 Jeur Camp British Astronomical Association. Front row L to R: Riddle, Lawrence, Drew, Lord Curzon (Viceroy of India), Almadi, Sir W. Cunningham, The Honorable Major Baring, (X = Henry Cousens, standing behind Drew and Lord Curzon).
Professor Campbell's Eclipse Camp and Telescope at Jeur, India 1898
Henry Cousens adjusting Telescope at Professor Campbell's Eclipse Camp, Jeur, India 1898.
Henry Cousens and Marion Cousens next to Prof. Naegamvala's six-inch Objective Prismatic Camera.
Henry Cousens (right) with Prof. Naegamvala’s siderostat and slit spectroscope.
Miss MacBean, Mrs. Campbell and Prof. Campbell—the base of Campbell's Great Telescope—photo by Henry Cousens.
Permission given in an email from Greg Duncan: "I give NCAR/HAO permission to publish these photos." Greg Duncan (Son of M. Barbara Duncan and 'Executor' for the Estate of M. Barbara Duncan, Victoria BC Canada).