Martin Suggett Sundial
Martin Suggett Memorial Sundial
As Curator and later Head Curator of the Earth & Physical sciences department at NMGM Liverpool Museum, (as it was then known), Martin’s help and involvement with the Liverpool Astronomical Society is incalculable.
Like so many friends and colleagues of Martin, the members of Liverpool Astronomical Society heard the news of his passing with a great overwhelming sadness. Despite knowing the circumstances of his illness, his loss was very hard to believe, and was regarded by many as so unfair to such a highly regarded and respected person as Martin.
The science of Astronomy, not just in Liverpool but also in the North West of England, has lost a great friend and hard worker, and he is even today greatly missed here in the Society, which we know he was overjoyed to be part of. His contribution to the success of the Society, and its links with the museum in the 1980s and 90s was recognised by the renaming of the LAS award for astronomical achievement in Martin’s memory. He served for many years on the Society Council and at one point he became Vice-President. He gave his time to the Society freely when he could, on top of his museum and family commitments.
The Planetarium, together with the current Space & Time gallery owed a great deal to Martin’s hard work, time and effort, and that of his departmental staff over his 17 years with the museum. During Martin’s time, the Planetarium was, and is still regarded by many as, the best outside London, and it was Martin who readily encouraged members of the Astronomical Society to become Planetarium operators and gallery demonstrators.
From a personal point of view I owe it to Martin in helping me to rekindle my interest in astronomy, following a few years out with college and higher education. His astronomy night class was a channel for many new members of the astronomical Society, and I count myself as one of them. With his help I was working on a chapter for a book to be published in connection with the 1996 Lassell replica 24 Inch telescope project. Sadly neither the chapter nor the book was completed. But the replica telescope can now be seen in the Conservation Centre and, together with the Martin Suggett Memorial Sundial, it’s a constant reminder of a truly wonderful individual.
Gerard Gilligan
Liverpool Astronomical Society President 2000-2002
& Society representative 1996 Lassell Telescope Project.