Swan's main passion was optics, especially spectroscopy. He is credited with inventing the `Swan Spectrometer', which is little known today, although Swan published numerous articles on the subject. He was awarded the Royal Scottish Society of Arts Gold Medal for his work in November 1843.
As was the case with many Victorian gentlemen, Swan was interested in many diverse topics and not just his chosen speciality. From the comments in his catalogue, and his correspondence with other scientists, he appears to have been an inquisitive, witty and intelligent character, who was always keen to learn more.
John Couch Adams was one of the first astronomers to calculate the correct position of the then unknown planet of Neptune. He occupied Gregory's chair in Mathematics for only one year before going to Cambridge in 1859. He first identified Neptune in 1845, but his achievement was not immediately recognised.
After graduating, Adams started work on the problem of irregularities in the motion of Uranus. His work consisted of complicated mathematical calculations, and indicated that the observed irregularities could be explained by the action of a then unknown planet lying beyond Uranus. His findings were reported in 1845, when he also became a life member of the British Association of Science.
Unfortunately for Adams, a Parisian astronomer, Jean Urbain Leverrier, was at the same time conducting similar investigations. He presented his findings which were later verified in 1846. He was awarded the Royal Society of London's highest scientific honour for his discovery of Neptune.
Attempts were made to recognise Adam's initial achievements in the discovery of Neptune. Finally, proper recognition came in 1848, when the Cambridge Senate approved an Adams Prize to commemorate his discovery.
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