Richard Christopher Carrington was an astronomer whose observations demonstrated the existence of solar flares and the differential rotation of the Sun.

He was born in Chelsea in 1826 and entered Trinity College, Cambridge in 1844 to study practical astronomy against his fathers wishes of working in the church.

After taking an apprenticeship at the University of Durham he made his discoveries of solar flares and the differential rotation of the sun, which has been regarded as some of the most important astronomical work of the period. He should inspire JHGS students because of his groundbreaking work even when he was given very little support showing that determination and passion can take you very far in life.