John Tebbutt was an Australian astronomer born on December 24, 1834, in New South Wales. He is best known for his observations of comets, particularly Comet Tebbutt, which he discovered in 1861. Tebbutt's work contributed significantly to the field of astronomy in Australia during the 19th century. In addition to his comet discoveries, Tebbutt was involved in various scientific endeavors, including meteorology. He served as the first director of the Sydney Observatory and was a member of the Royal Society of New South Wales. Tebbutt passed away on January 29, 1916, leaving a lasting legacy in Australian science.