Category: Biographies

The Story of the Herschels, a Family of Astronomers Sir William Herschel, Sir John Herschel, Caroline Herschel

The study of astronomy a source of intellectual pleasure--By contemplating the heavens, the mind is led to wonder and adore--A proof of the existence of a Creator is afforded by creation--"We praise thee, O Lord!"--The beauty of Nature--Intellectual curiosity--"Order is Heaven...

Chapters

8. CHAPTER III.

In August 1782 the Herschels removed to Datchet. Their new home was "a large neglected place; the house in a deplorably ruinous condition, the garden and grounds overgrown with...

10. CHAPTER V.

To her varied accomplishments, her astronomical researches, and, above all, to her unwearied and unselfish devotion to her brother William, we have already made frequent allusio...

9. CHAPTER IV.

We now propose to furnish a brief sketch of the life of Sir John Frederick William Herschel, the only son of Sir William, and not less illustrious as a man of science.

7. CHAPTER II.

In the quiet city of Hanover, nearly a century and a half ago, lived a professor of music, by name Isaac Herschel, a Protestant in religion, though presumably of Jewish descent....

6. CHAPTER I.

Of all the sciences, none would seem to yield a purer intellectual gratification than that of Astronomy. Man cannot but feel a sense of pleasure, and even of power, when, throug...

3. CHAPTER III.

The house at Datchet--Housekeeping details--A devoted sister--Life at Datchet--Herschel's astronomical observations--Testing and trying "eyepieces"--The colossal telescope--Miss...

4. CHAPTER IV.

Birth and education of Sir John Herschel--Honours at Cambridge--First publication--Continues his scientific studies--His numerous literary contributions--His devotion to his fat...

5. CHAPTER V.

Caroline Herschel's devotion to her brother William--Her grief and solitariness at his death--Reflections on the mutability of human things--Aunt and nephew--A parsimonious gove...

1. CHAPTER I.

The study of astronomy a source of intellectual pleasure--By contemplating the heavens, the mind is led to wonder and adore--A proof of the existence of a Creator is afforded by...

2. CHAPTER II.

Herschel's parents--The two brothers--A musical family--An inventive genius--The brothers in England--Herschel as an organist--A laborious life--Mechanical ingenuity of William...