Subfonds GB 0064 HRS/1-3 - Herschel, Sir William Frederick, astronomer (1738-1822)

3 vols; 1 file

GB 0064 HRS/1-3 [1795-1825] Subfonds 3 vols; 1 file Herschel , Sir , William , 1738-1822 , Knight , astronomer and musician

William Herschel was a self-taught astronomer who began life as an army musician in Hanover and came to England in 1758 as a refugee during the Seven Years War. In 1781 he discovered the planet Uranus and was made a Fellow of the Royal Society. George III appointed him Court Astronomer. He settled at Slough in 1786 and built a telescope which was the largest in the world until it was dismantled in 1839. In 1788 he married Mary Pitt (nee Baldwin). Among a number of biographies is Angus Armitage, William Herschel (London, 1962).

The papers were presented by Mrs Shorland, great-great-great-niece of Sir William, together with the papers of his son, Sir John Herschel (q.v.).

Papers of Sir William Frederick Herschel. There are three volumes of cash accounts kept by Lady Herschel between 1795 and 1825. The first gives details of Sir William's salary as Court Astronomer and of the proceeds from selling telescopes; the other two are housekeeping accounts. There are also letters, proofs and notes about the publication of Herschel's catalogues of the brightness of stars and pamphlets about him and his sister, Caroline, who assisted him with his observations.

Please contact the Archive for further information.

Please contact the Archive for further information.

English

Detailed catalogue online at the: National Maritime Museum website .

The main body of the Herschel papers is in the University of Texas Library and the Linda Hall Library, Kansas City.

Edited by Sarah Drewery, Jul 2011.
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

2010-08-26 Astronomy Herschel , Sir , William , 1738-1822 , Knight , astronomer and musician

The papers were presented by Mrs Shorland, great-great-great-niece of Sir William, together with the papers of his son, Sir John Herschel (q.v.).

Papers of Sir William Frederick Herschel. There are three volumes of cash accounts kept by Lady Herschel between 1795 and 1825. The first gives details of Sir William's salary as Court Astronomer and of the proceeds from selling telescopes; the other two are housekeeping accounts. There are also letters, proofs and notes about the publication of Herschel's catalogues of the brightness of stars and pamphlets about him and his sister, Caroline, who assisted him with his observations.

Please contact the Archive for further information.

Please contact the Archive for further information.

• English

• Latin

English

Detailed catalogue online at the: National Maritime Museum website .

The main body of the Herschel papers is in the University of Texas Library and the Linda Hall Library, Kansas City.

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

• English