, Lowe's observatory and residence Lowe was born in
Highfield House,
University Park,
Nottinghamshire, into a well-off family. The son of
Alfred Joseph Lowe, he began his scientific observations at the age of 15. His father had a keen scientific interest, especially in relation to astronomy and meteorology, enthusiasms he passed on to his son. Lowe's interest in ferns led to his studying them. His most noted work was
Ferns: British and Exotic and consisted of eight illustrated volumes published in London by Groombridge and Sons in 1856. The bookplates of which were drawn by
A. F. Lydon and engraved by
Benjamin Fawcett. He collaborated on observations of luminous meteors with
Professor Baden Powell of Oxford. Lowe invented the dry powder test for
ozone in the atmosphere. He was elected to Corresponding membership of the
Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society in 1857, was one of the founders and original Fellows of the
Meteorological Society and a Fellow of the
Royal, the
Geological, the
Linnean, the
Royal Astronomical and other learned Societies. His candidature citation for the Royal Society read: ''The Author of "A Treatise on Atmospheric Phenomena" "Prognostications of the weather or signs of atmospheric changes." "a paper on 278 thunderstorms" & the Conchology of Nottingham, & various Papers on zodiacal light, meteors, 'Solar spots, Lana & Freshwater shells &c published in the Transactions of the British Association, Royal Astronomical Society, Zoological Society- &c – The discoverer of a new method of propagating cuttings of plants by the application of collodium. Distinguished for his acquaintance with the sciences of Meteorology & Natural History. Eminent asa Meteorologist – Having Published works on that Science. – and being actively employed in the cultivation of it'' After the
Great Exhibition of 1851, plans were launched for a public observatory in Nottingham.
Henry Lawson offered his collection of astronomical telescopes, but the project failed through lack of government funding. Lawson persuaded Lowe to accept the instruments for an observatory at his home in
Beeston, Nottinghamshire built in 1849.
Broadgate House opened as an observatory 1855, and had a rotating cupola roof. As a botanist he is denoted by the
author abbreviation E.J.Lowe when
citing a
botanical name. He married Anne Allcock (1829-1911), daughter of George Allcock, in
St Mary's Church, Nottingham on 2 January 1849. They had the following children: • Major Alfred Edward Lawson Lowe (1849–1888) • Hugh Lee Peyton Lowe (1857–1933) In 1882 he moved from Beeston to
Shirenewton Hall, near
Chepstow,
Monmouthshire, where he died on 10 March 1900. ==Bibliography==