Edward Singleton Holden (November 5,1846 – March 16,1914) was an American astronomer.

He was trained in West Point in the class of 1870. In 1873 he became professor of mathematics at the US Naval Observatory, where he made a favorable impression on Simon Newcomb. He was director of Washburn Observatory at the University of Wisconsin from 1881 to 1885. He was elected a member of the American National Academy of Sciences in 1885.

He was president of the University of California from 1885 until 1888, and the first director of the Lick Observatory from 1888 until the end of 1897. He resigned as a result of internal dissent over his management among his subordinates.

In 1901 he became the librarian of the US Military Academy at West Point, where he remained until his death.

His cousin, George Phillips Bond, was director of Harvard College Observatory.

He discovered a total of 22 NGC objects during his work at Washburn Observatory.

He authored many books, including science books intended for children. For example the book Real Things In Nature. A Reading Book of Science for American Boys and Girls published in 1916.

Craters on Mars and the Moon were named in his honor.

External links

• University of California Presidents' biographies

Obituaries

• JRASC 8 (1914) 142
• MNRAS 75 (1914) 264
• Obs 37 (1914) 182 (one paragraph)
• PASP 26 (1914) 77–87