Edmond Halley was an English astronomer, geophysicist, mathematician, meteorologist, and physicist who lived from 1656 to 1742. He is best known for his prediction of the return of the comet that now bears his name, Halley's Comet. He also made significant contributions to the fields of astronomy, mathematics, and physics. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society and was appointed as Astronomer Royal in 1720.