Luke Howard: Namer of Clouds

Luke Howard lived at 7 Bruce Grove and is commemorated there with the only English Heritage Blue Plaque in Tottenham.  He is known as the Father of meteorology for his detailed observations over many years of the weather and cloud formations in Tottenham.  The comprehensive recordings of weather which led to his publication The Climate of London were carried out at his first house in Tottenham, opposite the home of BG Windus, just off Philip Lane and Tottenham Green.

Luke Howard published On the Modification of Clouds in 1803. In this essay, he outlined a system for classifying the forms of clouds applying the Linnean principles of natural history classification. It is the system that is still in use today.

On one occasion [1840's] I had the audacity to ask him [Turner] if he painted his clouds from nature.. The words had hardly passed my lips when I saw my gaucherie. I was afraid I had roused a thunderstorm; however, my lucky star predominated.. ..after having eyed me for a few moments with a slight frown, he growled out 'How would you have me paint them?' Then seizing upon his fishing-rod, and turning upon his heel, he marched indignantly out of the house to the water's-edge.
Turner's friend, Mr. Rose, in The life of J.M.W. Turner, Volume II, George Walter Thornbury; Hurst and Blackett Publishers, London, 1862, p. 95

For more information on Luke Howard go to ​Tottenham Clouds  
Picture
Luke Howard by John Opie Royal Meteorological Society
A brief history of the Art of the Sky:
​From calm to stormy weather across the ages
​A presentation by Lionel Playford, landscape artist
Tottenham Clouds celebrates the achievements of Luke Howard, resident of Tottenham
Clouds by Tottenham artist Dave Turner