Lawrence Parsons, 4th Earl of Rosse KP (November 17 1840 – August 30 1908) was the son and successor of the astronomer William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse who built the "Leviathan of Parsonstown" telescope, largest of its day. His name is often given as Laurence Parsons. Her served as the eighteenth Chancellor of Trinity College, Dublin between 1885 and 1908. His father served as the sixteenth Chancellor. Although overshadowed by his father (when astronomers speak of "Lord Rosse", it is almost always the father that they refer to), he nonetheless pursued some astronomical observations of his own, particularly of the Moon.
Marriage and children
He married Frances Cassandra Hawke, daughter of Edward William Hawke, 4th Baron Hawke and Frances Fetherstonhaugh, on 1 September 1870. They had three children:
- William Parsons, 5th Earl of Rosse (b. 14 June 1873, d. 10 June 1918), married Frances Lois Lister-Kaye, daughter of Sir Cecil Lister-Kaye, 4th Baronet and Lady Beatrice Adeline Pelham-Clinton
- Hon. Geoffry Lawrence Parsons (b. 24 May 1874, d. 13 May 1956), married Margaret Betty Gladstone, daughter of Sir John Evelyn Gladstone, 4th Baronet
- Lady Muriel Frances Mary Parsons (b. 13 November 1876, d. 10 April 1927), married Brig.-Gen. Harold Maxwell Grenfell, son of Pascoe du Pre Grenfell and Sophia Grenfell
External links
Obituaries
| Preceded by William Parsons |
Earl of Rosse 1867–1908 |
Succeeded by William Edward Parsons |
| Preceded by Lord Farnham |
representative peer for Ireland 1868–1908 |
Succeeded by Lord Ashtown |
