In July 1824, Airy met Richarda Smith (1804–1875), "a great beauty", on a walking tour of Derbyshire.
He later wrote, "Our eyes met ... and my fate was sealed ... I felt irresistibly that we must be united," and Airy proposed two days later.
Richarda's father, the Revd Richard Smith, felt that Airy lacked the financial resources to marry his daughter.
Only in 1830, with Airy established in his Cambridge position, was permission for the marriage granted.

The Airys had nine children, the first three of whom died young.

Elizabeth Airy (born 1833) died of consumption (tuberculosis) in 1852.

The eldest child to survive to adulthood was Wilfrid (1836-1925), who designed and engineered "Colonel" George Tomline's Orwell Park Observatory.
Wilfrid's daughter was the artist Anna Airy.
Anna's mother died shortly after she was born and she was raised by her maiden aunts Christabel and Annot (see below).

George Airy's son Hubert Airy (1838–1903) was a doctor, and a pioneer in the study of migraine.
Airy himself suffered from this condition.

The Airys' eldest daughter, Hilda (1840–1916), married the mathematician Edward Routh in 1864.

Christabel (1842-1917) died unmarried, as did the next sister Annot (1843-1924).

The Airys youngest child was Osmund (1845-1929).

Airy was knighted on 17 June 1872.

Airy retired in 1881, living with his two unmarried daughters at Croom's Hill near Greenwich.
In 1891, he suffered a fall and an internal injury.
He survived the consequential surgery only a few days.
His wealth at death was £27,713.
Airy and his wife and three pre-deceased children are buried at St. Mary's Church in Playford, Suffolk.
A cottage owned by Airy still stands, adjacent to the church and now in private hands.

Sir Patrick Moore asserted in his autobiography that the ghost of Airy has been seen haunting the Royal Greenwich Observatory after nightfall. (
page 178)
In July 1824, Airy met Richarda Smith (1804–1875), "a great beauty", on a walking tour of Derbyshire. He later wrote, "Our eyes met ... and my fate was sealed ... I felt irresistibly that we must be united," and Airy proposed two days later. Richarda's father, the Revd Richard Smith, felt that Airy lacked the financial resources to marry his daughter. Only in 1830, with Airy established in his Cambridge position, was permission for the marriage granted.
The Airys had nine children, the first three of whom died young.
Elizabeth Airy (born 1833) died of consumption (tuberculosis) in 1852.
The eldest child to survive to adulthood was Wilfrid (1836-1925), who designed and engineered "Colonel" George Tomline's Orwell Park Observatory. Wilfrid's daughter was the artist Anna Airy. Anna's mother died shortly after she was born and she was raised by her maiden aunts Christabel and Annot (see below).
George Airy's son Hubert Airy (1838–1903) was a doctor, and a pioneer in the study of migraine. Airy himself suffered from this condition.
The Airys' eldest daughter, Hilda (1840–1916), married the mathematician Edward Routh in 1864.
Christabel (1842-1917) died unmarried, as did the next sister Annot (1843-1924).
The Airys youngest child was Osmund (1845-1929).
Airy was knighted on 17 June 1872.
Airy retired in 1881, living with his two unmarried daughters at Croom's Hill near Greenwich. In 1891, he suffered a fall and an internal injury. He survived the consequential surgery only a few days. His wealth at death was £27,713. Airy and his wife and three pre-deceased children are buried at St. Mary's Church in Playford, Suffolk. A cottage owned by Airy still stands, adjacent to the church and now in private hands.
Sir Patrick Moore asserted in his autobiography that the ghost of Airy has been seen haunting the Royal Greenwich Observatory after nightfall. (page 178)
George Biddell Airy