White marble, hollow-backed head-and-shoulders bust of Francis Baily (1774-1844) on a later round grey marble socle. He is shown as bald, with sideburns, his head turned half to his right, wearing a robe swathed round a loose collared shirt (of which the tip of the right collar is missing). This has a single button fastening and the gold medal and chain of the Royal Astronomical Society are tucked into the top of the robe. The bust is posthumous, being inscribed and dated on the back ' E. H. BAILY R. A. / Sculpt. LONDON / 1848' and it was presented to the Royal Observatory at Greenwich in 1864.There is also another version of the same date which was shown at Royal Academy in 1849 as 'Presented to the Royal Astronomical Society', apparently by the sitter's sister, Elizabeth.

Francis Baily, the son of a banker, was originally a successful stockbroker of strong libertarian (even republican) principles. His skills were above all mathematical and actuarial, originally in the calculation and publication of tables and algebraic models relating to stockbroking and insurance. He also wrote a number of significant historical books, culminating in a study of John Flamsteed, first Astronomer Royal, in 1835.

Baily was one of the key founders of the (Royal) Astronomical Society in 1820, and undertook major work in rectifying existing star catalogues, for which he received the Society's gold medal in 1827: he was later its President. His other major work included mathematical experiments to improve the accuracy of pendulums, calculating the earth's density, and finally the official revision of standards of length.

Baily was in no way related to the sculptor of this bust, E. H. Baily (1788-1867). The latter was the favourite pupil of John Flaxman and one of the most successful sculptors of his time. His best-known public work is the statue of Nelson (1843) on Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square, London.