Hadley, George

[person]

(1685-1768) English natural philosopher who took up physics after giving up practicing law. Hadley is best known for describing circulation in the atmosphere between the equator and 30° N and S, in what is now known as the Hadley cell. His explanation was the first to invoke the idea that the rotation of the Earth causes an apparent deflection of the winds, known today as the Coriolis effect. Hadley was a member of the Royal Society of London and in charge of compiling the society’s observations from its network of meteorological observers.