Leslie C. Peltier
Leslie Peltier was a US amateur astronomer, who lived and pursued his hobby in the early and middle 20th century.
He is noted for his interest in variable stars. In eight decades of observing he submitted over 132,000 observations of variables to the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO). Peltier also discovered twelve comets and six novae. In addition to astronomy, he was also interested in biology and geology.
Peltier is principally known for his autobiography Starlight Nights, for which he was named Ohio Author of the Year in 1966. This work has been read by generations of astronomers.
The renowned astronomer Harlow Shapely once referred to Leslie C. Peltier as "the world's greatest living amateur astronomer."
After his death the Astronomical League created an annual "Leslie C. Peltier Award" for outstanding contributions to astronomy, in honour of his memory.
“Life was never quite the same for me after that winter walk to town. The charts that I brought home with me were potent and ensnaring and I feel it my duty to warn any others who may show signs of star susceptibility that they approach the observing of variable stars with the utmost caution. It is easy to become and addict and, as usual, the longer the indulgence is continued the more difficult it becomes to go back to a normal life.”
“Each star had cost an effort. For each there had been planning, watching and anticipation. Each one recalled to me a place, a time, a season. Each one now has a personality. The stars, in short, had become my stars.”