death_place death_date birth_place nationality field birth_date article_title name alma_mater
somerset west , south africa 24 december 1986 weymouth , dorset , england united kingdom astronomy 24 april 1906 richard van der riet woolley
 richard van der riet woolley university of cape town
richard van der riet woolley

sir richard van der riet woolley obe frs -lrb- 24 april 1906 -- 24 december 1986 -rrb- was an english astronomer who became astronomer royal .
his mother 's maiden name was van der riet .
