William Joseph Hussey, American astronomer, was the son of John Milton Hussey and his wife Mary Catherine Severns. He studied at the University of Michigan, but his studies were both delayed and interrupted because he had to earn a living. He graduated in civil engineering in 1889. However, his main interest became astronomy and after working at the United States Nautical Almanac Office for a while he returned to the University of Michigan as an instructor in mathematics and astronomy. During 1891-1892 he was acting director of the Detroit Observatory and in the latter year became assistant professor of astronomy at Leland Stanford Junior University in California. This appointment allowed him to become a voluntary assistant at the recently established Lick Observatory, where he obtained an appointment as astronomer from 1896 to 1905. In 1903 he investigated possible observing sites in southern California and Arizona for the Carnegie Institution in Washington and reported favourably on Mount Wilson, where the Mt. Wilson Observatory was later established. In 1905 he again returned to the University of Michigan, this time as professor of astronomy and director of the Detroit Observatory - a position he held until his death in 1926. In addition he also held an appointment as director of the observatory at the University of La Plata, Argentina, during 1912-1915. During these years he became known as an excellent observatory director and as a devoted and inspiring teacher. In 1895 he married Ethel Fountain.
Hussey's main interest in astronomy was the discovery and measurement of double stars, particularly at Lick Observatory and at La Plata. His work was reported on in many papers and double star catalogues, while numerous other publications dealt with his observations and measurements of satellites, comets and minor planets of the solar system.
Hussey's life-long ambition was to establish an observatory in the southern Hemisphere devoted entirely to measurements of double stars. Such an observatory would complement his work in the northern hemisphere and would enable him to extend his double star survey to the south celestial pole. He first discussed the idea as early as 1902 with his friend, Mr R. P. Lamont of Chicago, who was prepared to fund the project. In 1903 Hussey visited Australia in search of a suitable observing site, but no action was taken. In 1911 Lamont authorized him to order a suitable glass disc for a 61 cm objective, but for several years no suitable disc could be found and the search was further delayed by World War I (1914-1918). Eventually a disc suitable for a 69 cm lens was acquired in April 1923. Lamont made the necessary funds available not only for the telescope, but also for establishing and maintaining an observatory and for the salaries of three observers for up to 10 years.
Hussey visited South Africa during 1923 in search of a suitable site. R.T.A. Innes* recommended a site in or near Johannesburg, but A.W. Roberts* and several others all recommended Bloemfontein. Hussey selected Bloemfontein for the tests of seeing, for which he had brought a 25 cm refracting telescope with him. The tests were carried out in December 1923 and January 1924. The seeing proved to be excellent despite the fact that the tests were carried out in the rainy season. He chose Naval Hill, situated within the city limits of Bloemfontein as his favoured site and returned to the United States to organize the expedition that would establish the observatory. The expedition left New York in October 1926. However, on his way to South Africa Hussey died unexpectedly in London. Responsibility for the project fell on the shoulders of Professor R. A. Rossiter, who was accompanying him. The Lamont-Hussey Observatory was completed in March 1928 and observational work on double stars started under Rossiter's direction.
