Agnes Mary Clerke (1842-1907), British astronomer and writer. Clerke was born in Ireland, and spent time in Italy before settling in London. She had been interested in astronomy since childhood, and spent her life writing about the subject. Although she had little experience of practical observation, she was skilled at collating and reinterpreting the results of astronomical research for a wider audience. Her major work, A Popular History of Astronomy during the Nineteenth Century, established her reputation. She became only the third woman member of the Royal Astronomical Society.