Ormsby M. Mitchel

Ormsby M. Mitchel
NicknameOld Stars
Born(1810-08-28)August 28, 1810
DiedOctober 31, 1862(1862-10-31) (aged 52)
Place of burial
AllegianceUnited States of America
Union
BranchUnited States Army
Union Army
Service years1829–1832
1861–1862
Rank Major General
CommandsDepartment of the Ohio
X Corps
Department of the South
Conflicts
Other workAstronomer
Signature

Ormsby MacKnight (or McKnight) Mitchel (August 28, 1810, or possibly 1809, – October 31, 1862) was an American astronomer, polymath, and major general in the American Civil War.

He is known for publishing the first astronomy magazine in the United States. He is also known for ordering the raid that came into prominence as the Great Locomotive Chase during the American Civil War.