P000104 revised AU-VU:EOAS Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation

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 English AACR2 Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules Person created 1993-10-20 human Gavan McCarthy [P004098] and Helen Cohn updated 2026-04-29 human https://www.eoas.info/biogs/P000104b.htm person Neumayer Georg Balthasar von AACR2 21 June 1826 24 May 1909 Place of Birth Kircheimbolanden, Bavaria Place of Death Neustadt, Germany Magnetician Meteorologist Georg Neumayer's keen interest in terrestrial magnetism took him in the 1830s and 1840s to South America, a chair in physics in Hamburg, Germany, and to the magnetic observatory in Hobart, Tasmania. He returned to Australia in 1857, with the backing of prominent supporters and equipped with the latest instruments, with the intention of establishing the requisite observatory in Victoria. The Victorian Government was ultimately persuaded to appoint him to undertake both magnetic and meteorological observations from 1858. His survey program was highly successful and resulted in the publication of a number of significant reports. During his time in Victoria Neumayer became immersed in the activities of the Philosophical Institute of Victoria and its successor, the Royal Society of Victoria, holding executive office and being made a Life Member in 1864, and serving on the Exploration Committee that launched the Victorian Exploring Expedition. After his return to Europe in 1864 he pioneered international cooperation for meteorology and scientific observation, particularly in polar regions, and held senior positions such as Hydrographer to the German Admiralty and Director of the Hamburg Observatory.

von Neumayer, a Bavarian Ship's Officer who had obtained his doctorate at Munich in 1849, first arrived in Melbourne in 1852. Convinced of the importance of meteorology, he returned to Europe in 1854 and obtained the instruments necessary to establish an observatory in Melbourne. Initially working as a private citizen, he established a number of observing stations throughout Victoria, mainly at lighthouses. In 1859, he was appointed as Government Astronomer. He gradually built up the observatory recruiting, inter alia, W. J. Wills who was subsequently to perish in the ill-fated Burke and Wills expedition. Neumayer played a leading role in the early scientific life of Melbourne before returning again to Europe in 1863. A Hundred Years of Science and Service, Bureau of Meteorology, 2001.

1857 1859 Career position - Member, Philosophical Institute of Victoria 1857 1859 Career position - Member, Exploration Committee of the Philosophical Institute of Victoria 1858 1863 Career position - Director, Flagstaff Observatory for Geophysics, Magnetism and Nautical Science, Melbourne 1858? 1864 Career position - Victorian Government Meteorologist 1859 1859 Career position - Member of Council, Philosophical Institute of Victoria 1859 1861 Career position - Member, Exploration Committee of the Royal Society of Victoria 1860 1860 Career position - Vice-President, Royal Society of Victoria 1864 1909 Award - Life Member, Royal Society of Victoria 1872 Career position - Hydrographer to the German Admiralty 1876 1903 Career position - Member, Exploration Committee of the Philosophical Institute of Victoria Flagstaff Observatory for Geophysics, Magnetism and Nautical Sciences, Colony of Victoria (1858 - 1863)

Director 1858 - 1863

 Victorian Exploring Expedition (1860 - 1861)

Member of the Exploration Committee of the Philosophical Institute of Victoria (later Royal Society of Victoria) 1857 - 1861

 Royal Society of Victoria (1859 - )

Vice-President 1860; Life Member 1864 - 1909

 Philosophical Institute of Victoria (1855 - 1859)

Member 1857 - 1859; Member of Council 1859

 Board of Science, Colony of Victoria (1858 - 1860)

Member 1858 - 1860

Wikidata

VIAF - Virtual International Authority File

 Neumayer, G (1826-1909)

Trove

 'Neumayer, Georg Balthasar von', in Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation, Centre for Transformative Innovation, Swinburne University of Technology Neumayer, Georg Balthasar von Swinburne University of Technology, Centre for Transformative Innovation Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation Book Section: Georg Neumayer und die Grundung eines geophysikalisch-nautischen Observatoriums in Melbourne, 1857 Wiederkehr, K. H. Georg Neumayer und die Grundung eines geophysikalisch-nautischen Observatoriums in Melbourne, 1857 Bremen 1987 Past, Present and Future Trends in Geophysical Research: Selected Papers from the Symposia of the interdivisional Commission on History of IAGA during the IUGG Assembly, held in Vancouver, 1987 Wilfried Schroder Journal Article: Journeys of Dr. Neumayer in Victoria 1859-64 Barnard, F. G. A. Journeys of Dr. Neumayer in Victoria 1859-64 1918 The Victorian naturalist 34 185-200 Journal Article: Extracts From the Diary of Dr Neumayer, in His 'The Story of the Mallee' Kenyon, A. S. Extracts From the Diary of Dr Neumayer, in His 'The Story of the Mallee' 1914 Victorian Historical Magazine 4 64-70 Journal Article: Alexander von Humboldt und Georg von Neumayers geophysikalisches Projekt in Australien Wiederkehr, K. H. Alexander von Humboldt und Georg von Neumayers geophysikalisches Projekt in Australien 1988 Mitteilungen Arbeitskreis Geschichte der Geophysik in der Deutschen Geophysikalischen Gesellschaft 7 October 1-24 Journal Article: Georg von Neumayers geophysikalisches Projekt in Australien und Alexander von Humboldt Wiederkehr, K. H.; and Schroder, W. Georg von Neumayers geophysikalisches Projekt in Australien und Alexander von Humboldt 1989 Gesnerus 46 83-115 Edited Book: Steps of Foundation of Institutionalized Antarctic Research: Proceedings of the 1st SCAR Workshop on the History of Antarctic Research, Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities, Munich (Germany), 2-3 June 2005 Luedecke, Cornelia Steps of Foundation of Institutionalized Antarctic Research: Proceedings of the 1st SCAR Workshop on the History of Antarctic Research, Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities, Munich (Germany), 2-3 June 2005 Bremerhaven Alfred-Wegener-Institut für Polar- und Meeresforschung 2007 Book Section: Neumayer, Georg Balthasar von (1826-1909), scientist, magnetician, hydrographer, oceanographer and meteorologist Swan, R. A. Neumayer, Georg Balthasar von (1826-1909), scientist, magnetician, hydrographer, oceanographer and meteorologist Melbourne Melbourne University Press 1974 Australian dictionary of biography, volume 5: 1851 - 1890 K-Q Douglas Pike 329-331 Resource Section: Neumayer, Georg Balthazar Neumayer, Georg Balthazar Australian Science Archives Project 1995 Physics in Australia to 1945 R.W. Home, with the assistance of Paula J. Needham Book: The Origins of Australian Meteorology, Metarch Papers No. 12 Gibbs, W. J. The Origins of Australian Meteorology, Metarch Papers No. 12 Bureau of Meteorology 1998 Resource Section: The Origins of Australian Meteorology Gibbs, W. J. The Origins of Australian Meteorology 2001 Federation and Meteorology Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre Book: Georg von Neumayer: Auf zum Südpol Kremb, Klaus Georg von Neumayer: Auf zum Südpol 2001 Journal Article: Dr Neumayer's Projekt zur Wissenschaftlichen Erforschung Central-Australiens Dr Neumayer's Projekt zur Wissenschaftlichen Erforschung Central-Australiens 1868 Petermanns Georgaphische Mettheilungen 442-453 Journal Article: Address to the Royal Soc. Tasmania Neumayer, G. Address to the Royal Soc. Tasmania 1864 Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania 30-31 Book: Results of the Magnetic Survey of the colony of Victoria executed in the years 1858-1864 Neumayer, G. Results of the Magnetic Survey of the colony of Victoria executed in the years 1858-1864 Mannheim, Germany J. Schneider 1869 Book: Results of the meteorological observations taken in the colony of Victoria during the years 1859-1862; and of the nautical observations collected and discussed at the Flagstaff Observatory, Melbourne, during the years 1858-1862 Neumayer, G. Results of the meteorological observations taken in the colony of Victoria during the years 1859-1862; and of the nautical observations collected and discussed at the Flagstaff Observatory, Melbourne, during the years 1858-1862 Melbourne Government Printer 1864 Book: Discussion of the meteorological and magnetical observations made at the Flagstaff Observatory, Melbourne during the years 1858-1863 Neumayer, G. Discussion of the meteorological and magnetical observations made at the Flagstaff Observatory, Melbourne during the years 1858-1863 Mannheim, Germany J. Schneider 1867 Book: Results of the Magnetic Survey of the colony of Victoria executed in the years 1858-1864 Neumayer, G. Results of the Magnetic Survey of the colony of Victoria executed in the years 1858-1864 Mannheim, Germany J. Schneider 1869 Journal Article: Description and system of working at the Flagstaff Observatory Neumayer, G. Description and system of working at the Flagstaff Observatory Melbourne Philosophical Institute of Victoria 1859 Transactions of the Philosophical Institute of Victoria 3 94-103 Journal Article: Eugene von Guérard and Georg Neumayer: Recorded Journeys Pullin, V. R. Eugene von Guérard and Georg Neumayer: Recorded Journeys 2011 Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria 123 122-31 Journal Article: Special Centennial Anniversary Symposium Issue Commemorating Georg von Neumayer, His Australian, German and Polar Scientific Achievements and Legacies Morton, Anne M. Special Centennial Anniversary Symposium Issue Commemorating Georg von Neumayer, His Australian, German and Polar Scientific Achievements and Legacies 2011 Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria 123 vi-viii, 1-136 Journal Article: Georg Neumayer and Melbourne Observatory: an Institutional Legacy Gillespie, Richard Georg Neumayer and Melbourne Observatory: an Institutional Legacy 2011 Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria 123 19-26 Journal Article: Georg von Neumayer's Legacy in Geomagnetism Barton, Charles, Morrison, Douglas and Hitchman, Adrian Georg von Neumayer's Legacy in Geomagnetism 2011 Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria 123 62-9 Journal Article: Georg Neumayer und die Gedächtnisfeier für Alexander von Humboldt im Jahr 1859 in Melbourne Schlechter, Armin Georg Neumayer und die Gedächtnisfeier für Alexander von Humboldt im Jahr 1859 in Melbourne 2011 Mitteilungen des Historischen Vereins der Pfalz 109 1107-28 Journal Article: Georg von Neumayer and Geomagnetic Research Schröder, W.; Wiederkehr, K.-H.; and Schlegel, K. Georg von Neumayer and Geomagnetic Research 2010 History of Geo- and Space Sciences 1 77-87 Book Section: Georg Balthasar von Neumayer (182601909) Luedecke, Cornelia Georg Balthasar von Neumayer (182601909) New York Routledge 2007 Encyclopedia of the Antarctic Riffenburgh, Beau 668-9 Journal Article: Georg Neumayer's Magnetic Survey of the Colony of Victoria 1858-1864 Morrison, Douglas Georg Neumayer's Magnetic Survey of the Colony of Victoria 1858-1864 2011 Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria 123 48-61 Journal Article: Neumayer: Pioneer Exploration Geophysicist [4] Morrison, Doug Neumayer: Pioneer Exploration Geophysicist [4] 2006 Preview: Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists 124 October 12-15 Journal Article: Lamont's seed: Georg von Neumayer's interest in magnetism, meteorology and astronomy [abstract] Lüdecke, Cornelia Lamont's seed: Georg von Neumayer's interest in magnetism, meteorology and astronomy [abstract] 2015 Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria 127 1 98 Journal Article: Neumayer: Pioneer Exploration Geophysicist [3] Morrison, Doug Neumayer: Pioneer Exploration Geophysicist [3] 2006 Preview: Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists 123 August 17-20 Journal Article: Neumayer: Pioneer Exploration Geophysicist [2] Morrison, Doug Neumayer: Pioneer Exploration Geophysicist [2] 2006 Preview: Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists 122 June 12-15 Journal Article: Neumayer: Pioneer Exploration Geophysicist [1] Morrison, Doug Neumayer: Pioneer Exploration Geophysicist [1] 2006 Preview: Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists 121 April 21-24 Journal Article: 140 Years Ago: Neumayer and a Meteorite Morrison, Doug 140 Years Ago: Neumayer and a Meteorite 2004 Preview: Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists 111 52 Journal Article: Georg Neumayer (1826-1909) in Tasmania, 1864 Quilty, Patrick G. Georg Neumayer (1826-1909) in Tasmania, 1864 2007 Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania 141 2 203-212 Journal Article: Neumayer: Pioneer Exploration Geophysicist [5] Morrison, Doug Neumayer: Pioneer Exploration Geophysicist [5] 2006 Preview: Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists 125 December 34-36, 38 Journal Article: German anthropology, nationalism and imperialism: Georg von Neumayer's Anleitung zu wissenschaftliche Beobachtungen auf Reisen Monteath, Peter German anthropology, nationalism and imperialism: Georg von Neumayer's <span style="font-style:italic">Anleitung zu wissenschaftliche Beobachtungen auf Reisen</span> 2020 History and anthropology 31 4 440-61 Thesis: Some Foundations of Science in Victoria in the Decade After Separation Cohn, Helen M. Some Foundations of Science in Victoria in the Decade After Separation Melbourne University of Melbourne 1990 Book Section: Emigrants or Scientific Travellers? Ferdinand Mueller and Georg Neumayer between Germany and Australia Home, R. W. Emigrants or Scientific Travellers? Ferdinand Mueller and Georg Neumayer between Germany and Australia Bundoora, Victoria La Trobe University 2000 Baron von Mueller's German Melbourne Ellen I. Mitchell 11-23 Journal Article: The Flagstaff Observatory, Melbourne: New Documents Relation to its Foundation Home, R. W.; and Kretzer, Hans-Jochen The Flagstaff Observatory, Melbourne: New Documents Relation to its Foundation 1991 Historical Records of Australian Science 8 4 213-244 Journal Article: Georg Neumayers geophysicalisches Projekt in Australien und Alexander von Humboldt Wiederkehr, Karl Heinrich and Schröder, Wilfried Georg Neumayers geophysicalisches Projekt in Australien und Alexander von Humboldt 1989 Gesnerus 46 93-115 Journal Article: Georg von Neumayer (1826-1909) in Tasmanien Meidl, Eva and Quilty, P. G. Georg von Neumayer (1826-1909) in Tasmanien 2013 Zeitschrift fur Australienstudien e.V., Newsletter 9 63-75 Journal Article: Georg von Neumayer [obituary] Friedrichsen, Ludwig Georg von Neumayer [obituary] 1909 Mitteilungen der geographischen Gesellschaft Hamburg 24 285-97 Journal Article: Von Neumayer and the Origins of Australian and International Meteorology Zillman, John Von Neumayer and the Origins of Australian and International Meteorology 2011 Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria 123 70-7 Journal Article: Influences of German science and scientists on Melbourne Observatory Clark, Barry A. J. Influences of German science and scientists on Melbourne Observatory 2015 Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria 127 1 43-58 Book Section: Georg von Neumayer and the Flagstaff Observatory, Melbourne Home, R. W. Georg von Neumayer and the Flagstaff Observatory, Melbourne Sydney New South Wales University Press 1991 From Berlin to the Burdekin: The German Contribution to the Development of Australian Science, Exploration and the Arts David Walker and Jurgen Tampke 40-53 Book: The Cranbourne meteorite Murphy, Sean The Cranbourne meteorite North Melbourne Australian Scholarly publishing 2023 Book: Dictionary of Australian biography Serle, Percival Dictionary of Australian biography Sydney Angus & Robertson 1949 Journal Article: Noted colonial German scientists and their contexts McMullen, Gabrielle Noted colonial German scientists and their contexts 2015 Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria 127 1 9-16 Journal Article: Flagstaff Hill and its Observatory Perdrix, John L. Flagstaff Hill and its Observatory 1990 Australian Journal of Astronomy 3 3 113-124 Journal Article: The Australian role in 150 years of international cooperation in meteorology Zillman, John The Australian role in 150 years of international cooperation in meteorology 2023 Australian physics 60 2 17-22 Resource: Science and the making of Victoria Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre Science and the making of Victoria 2001 Resource: Federation and Meteorology Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre Federation and Meteorology 2001 Georg Balthazar Neumayer - Records Public Record Office Victoria, Victorian Archives Centre Georg Balthazar Neumayer - Records VPRS 4680 1858 - 1863 Chart of 300 voyages from Europe to Australia 1858-63 in the records of the Flagstaff Observatory. 1 item Melbourne Observatory - Records Public Record Office Victoria, Victorian Archives Centre Melbourne Observatory - Records VPRS 776 1857 - 1880 R.L.J. Ellery's Letter Book (Melbourne Observatory) 1857-80. Includes Charles Todd's correspondence with the Victorian Government Astronomer c1857-1906. 1 volume Melbourne Observatory - Records Public Record Office Victoria, Victorian Archives Centre Melbourne Observatory - Records VPRS 868 1854 - 1870 Records 1854-70. 1 volume Melbourne Observatory - Records Public Record Office Victoria, Victorian Archives Centre Melbourne Observatory - Records VPRS 780 1852 - 1943 Inward Correspondence - Melbourne Observatory, 1852-1943 Neumayer, Georg Balthasar von Neumayer, Georg Balthasar von

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