VENN: Adm. pens. (age 24) at JESUS, Dec. 21, 1670. S. of Stephen, maltster, of Derby. School, Derby. M.A. 1674 ( Lit. Reg.). Ord. (Bishop of Ely) Easter, 1675. Astronomer-Royal, 1675-1719. F.R.S. 1677. V. of Burstow, Surrey, 1684. His observations gave great help to Newton in writing his Principia. In 1707 the first volume of his Catalogue and Observations of the stars was printed. His Historia Coelestia Brittannica was finally completed in 1725 by his assistant Joseph Crosthwait. Died Dec. 31, 1719. Will ('Prerogative Court of Canterbury.'P.C.C.) 1720. (D.N.B.).
See OXFORD DNB: the astronomer.