William Parsons (3rd Earl of Rosse)

William Parsons, the 3rd Earl of Rosse, was a 19th-century Irish astronomer renowned for building the largest telescope of his time, the Leviathan of Parsonstown. His telescope, with a 72-inch mirror, allowed detailed observations of celestial objects and contributed significantly to astronomy, including studying nebulae and galaxies. Parsons was also a skilled engineer and innovator, advancing telescope design and photography. His work helped deepen our understanding of the universe and demonstrated the power of technological innovation in scientific discovery.