The Story of the Herschel's

And quickly became a dominant figure in musical life in the City. But his interests were turning to astronomy, and his practical skills enabled him to make reflecting telescopes that proved to be the best of his day. He soon embarked on systematic observations of the night sky, which led to the chance discovery of Uranus in 1781 that brought him international fame, and a move, eventually to Slough, as the King’s Astronomer. He had earlier rescued his sister Caroline from a life of drudgery back in Hanover to be first his housekeeper, and then a fine singer. But in Slough she became his observing assistant, and it was this observing partnership that enable them to undertake the first systematic survey of deep sky objects, and to put papers to the Royal Society about his findings that made theirs a key founding partnership of modern astronomy. William’s son John proved…