1792-1871

English scientist who worked in many different fields. Son of the astronomer William Herschel, John became one of the nineteenth century's most accomplished and respected scientists. His interests included astronomy, chemistry, mathematics, botany, geology, light, and photography. From 1833-1838 he made an important expedition to South Africa to observe the southern heavens. He was an esteemed member of Britain's most important scientific societies, and his work influenced many other important nineteenth-century scientists, including Charles Darwin.