An electron spectrometer is described which is designed to measure a variety of electron spectra of solid surfaces in ultrahigh vacuum. The instrument is capable of the high‐energy resolution (10–15 meV) required for vibrational inelastic electron scattering from atoms and molecules on surfaces. It has also been designed to carry out angle‐resolved photoemission measurements, Auger electron spectroscopy, and energy‐loss measurements of electronic excitations. The performance of the instrument in these modes of operation is discussed.