Venetia Phair - Named the planet Pluto

Venetia Phair, who at the age of 11 was credited with suggesting the name of Pluto for a newly discovered planet, died on April 30, 2009 in Epsom, England at the age of 90.

In 1930, British astronomer Clyde Tombaugh discovered the planet. One day at breakfast, the 11 year old suggested the name to her grandfather while he was discussing an article about the planet in the London Times. She suggested the name "Pluto".

Her grandfather was Falconer Maden, a librarian at Oxford University. He was friends with Herbert Hall Turner a professor of astronomy at Oxford. Maden suggested the name to Turner who passed it on to the Royal Astronomical Society which was in the process of discussing possible names.

Clyde Tombaugh, the discoverer, agreed to the name and "Pluto" was christened. Over the years, Mrs. Phair denied any connections to naming it after the Disney character as her suggestion predated the cartoon character.

Mrs Phair studied mathematics at Cambridge University and spent a career as teacher of math and economics. He husband died in 2006. She is survived by a son.