J. F. W. Herschel was the only child of the famous astronomer, Sir William Herschel (1738-1822). Born on March 7, 1792, he was raised in affluence and received a superior education, graduating first in his class at Cambridge. Herschel's far-reaching interests and abilities led him to make contributions in a variety of fields, including astronomy, chemistry, and photography. Celebrated during his lifetime, Herschel was a member of the premier scientific societies of his day and was knighted in 1831.

After flirting with careers in chemistry and law, Herschel in 1816 turned to astronomy. Eventually he assisted his father in making astronomical observations and constructing telescopes. He also published papers on mathematics as well as physical and geometrical optics.

Continuing their work after his father's death, Herschel observed nebulae, star clusters, and double stars in the northern hemisphere, compiling and publishing an extensive catalog that included many new sightings. From 1834 to 1838 he made...