Eminent Notts scientist receives blue plaque honour

A blue plaque commemorating the life and work of one of Nottinghamshire's most eminent scientists is to be unveiled at the Beeston home he built. Edward Joseph Lowe was an astronomer, botanist and founder member of the Royal Meteorological Society, whose scientific observations helped to shape our understanding of the earth's atmosphere. The plaque is the result of a campaign by four local civic and historical societies and has been funded by The University of Nottingham, the current owner of Broadgate House, 72 Broadgate, Beeston — the home and observatory built by Lowe in the early 1850s. Vice-Chancellor of The University of Nottingham Professor David Greenaway said: "We are extremely proud of our close connections with Edward Joseph Lowe, one of the Nottingham's most eminent scientists, and are delighted that we can play a part in commemorating his contribution in this way. Lowe's quest for knowledge and scientific endeavour are among the cornerstones of the University which has made its home on the area of parkland where Lowe spent so much of his life." Lowe, affectionately known as 'The Big Snowflake' — a reference to his impressive snowy white beard — was born on November 11 1825 at Highfield House, the mansion house later bought by Nottingham businessman and philanthropist Sir Jesse Boot and donated to the University in 1928 to form part of the modern day University Park campus. His passion for the sciences was ignited as a youth at Highfield and it was there that he began his first series of meteorological observations at the age of 15.