Robert Atherton Edwin

Robert Atherton Edwin, (16 August 1839 – 15 July 1911) was a noted meteorologist and weather forecaster, who after a career in the Royal Navy was instrumental in the establishment of the New Zealand Meteorological Office, becoming its first director in 1900; remaining in post until 1907. He was also an accomplished artist, specializing in Marine art. Early life Edwin was born at Camden Town, London, England, the son of Felix Edwin, a commander in the Royal Navy, and his wife, Marianne Atherton of Walton Hall, Liverpool. His father had toured Southern France with his future brother in law, a British Army Officer, Bertram Mitford Atherton after the Napoleonic Wars. His maternal cousins were the Mitford family. His parents had married in Belgium. He attended Wimborne Minster Grammar School in Dorset, as did his younger brother, Edward Edwin, who also followed the family tradition by joining the Royal Navy. His brother’s journal clearly describes life aboard during the outbreak of Yellow Fever during 1873-74. His brother later became the Royal Navy Paymaster Jamaica. Royal Navy career Edwin joined the Royal Navy as a cadet in January 1853 on HMS Victory, months prior to her sinking in April 1854. He went on serve onboard . As a midshipman on during the Crimean war he was wounded at the siege of Sevastopol in October 1854. Items during this time have been donated to the Museum of New Zealand.