John Lee (1783-1866), British astronomer, observing with a telescope. Lee, born John Fiott, was educated as a mathematician and travelled widely in his youth. In 1815 and 1827, he inherited several properties. From 1830, he built a private observatory (Hartwell Observatory) at his home, and carried out numerous astronomical observations. He was President of the Royal Astronomical Society from 1861 to 1863. Artwork published in Cycle of Celestial Objects (1860), and later in a collection about the astronomical history of Hartwell House.