1738-1822

German-English Musician and Astronomer

William Herschel is considered the founder of modern quantitative astronomy. His major accomplishments include his presentation of the first thorough and systematic study of celestial objects beyond the solar system, the discovery of the planet Uranus, and discovery of infrared radiation.

Herschel was born in Hanover, Germany. His father was an accomplished musician, oboist, and bandmaster of the Hanovarian Foot Guards. Young Herschel trained as a musician and became a member of his father's band. In 1757, during the Seven Years War, he escaped to England where he quickly established himself, first as a music copier, then as a performer and composer. In 1766 he became the organist of the chapel in Bath, a resort city in southeastern England. His sister Caroline joined him in 1772.

He was not satisfied with simply being a skilled musician. His innate inquisitiveness led...