John Kelly was born on October 5, 1833, in Newcastle-on-Tyne, Northumberland, England.

He was a clergyman, editor, translator, and author. He studied at Glasgow University and continued studying theology in Bonn, Germany (1852-1854), the New College of the University of Edinburgh (1856-1867), and the Theological College of the English Presbyterian Church in London. He served the congregations at Hebburn-on-Tyne and Streatham and was a Tract Editor and translator of hymns for the Religious Tract Society. He published the translations of Paul Gerhardt's “Spiritual Songs” (1867) and “Hymns of the Present Century from the German” (1885). He also published many of his lectures and sermons.

He died on July 19, 1890, in Braemar, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Director of the McGill Observatory from 1922 to 1943, Albert J. Kelly, was well-known to the public as weatherman and also as timekeeper for the nation's railroads and many of its industries. Born in Edmonton, he graduated from McGill University with his B.Sc. in 1911. He joined the staff at McGill University in 1912 as assistant to the Prof. C.H. McLeod, both at the observatory and in the department of surveying and geodesy. He later served as Assistant Professor of surveying from 1919 to 1929, as Associate Professor from 1930 to 1943, and as chairman of the Department of Surveying and Geodesy form 1940 to 1943.