Admiral Robert Fitzroy (1805-1865) was one of the most remarkable men of his generation. Made captain of The Beagle aged just 23, he was accompanied on his second voyage to survey the Southern reaches of the South American continent by Charles Darwin. Later in his career he became the founding head of what became the meterological office, charged with collecting and collating information which would help forcast the weather - a crucial advance for a country so reliant on maritime trade. Following the wrecking of the Royal Charter of the coast of Anglesey in 1859 Fitzroy barometers, complete with his observations were stationed at most ports and fishing harbours to be consulted by capatins before setting out. In the 1860's the telegraph system was used to bring Fitzroy news of the weather from across the country and the first daily forecasts began to be carried in The Times.
