Photo: Lemuel Francis Abbott / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
William Herschel, born on November 15, 1738 in Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany, was an astronomer, composer and oboist. William Herschel died on August 15, 1822, aged 83. Schooling on record includes University of Oxford. Awards on record include Copley Medal (1781), Royal Guelphic Order (1816), Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (1788) and 1 more. Notable works include Account of a Comet. By Mr. Herschel, F. R. S.; Communicated by Dr. Watson, Jun. of Bath, F. R. S, discovery of Uranus and Herschel wedge.
My Take
William Herschel is one of those figures who reminds me how porous the line between art and science once was. He started as an oboist and composer, then turned his curiosity skyward and discovered Uranus and infrared radiation, which is an astonishing reinvention. What moves me most is the partnership with his sister Caroline, two minds scanning the same night sky together. The Copley Medal and Royal Society fellowship confirm the recognition, but the deeper story is intellectual restlessness rewarded. I think of him as someone who listened to the universe in two languages, music and light, and mastered both. A genuinely inspiring life.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- William Herschel
- Name (Japanese)
- ウィリアム・ハーシェル
- Reading
- うぃりあむ・はーしぇる
- Born
- November 15, 1738 – August 15, 1822
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Scorpio / Horse
- Origin
- Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany
- Occupation
- astronomer / composer / oboist / musician / physicist
2. Background
- University
- University of Oxford
Awards & achievements
- 1781 Copley Medal
- 1816 Royal Guelphic Order
- 1788 Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
- 1781 Fellow of the Royal Society
3. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | Account of a Comet. By Mr. Herschel, F. R. S.; Communicated by Dr. Watson, Jun. of Bath, F. R. S | — | |
| Notable work | discovery of Uranus | — | |
| Notable work | Herschel wedge | — | |
| Notable work | infrared radiation | — |
4. Links
5. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-20
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was William Herschel born?
Born November 15, 1738.
When did William Herschel die?
Died August 15, 1822, aged 83.
Where was William Herschel from?
William Herschel was from Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany.
What did William Herschel do?
William Herschel worked as astronomer, composer, oboist, musician, physicist.
What was William Herschel known for?
Notable works include Account of a Comet. By Mr. Herschel, F. R. S.; Communicated by Dr. Watson, Jun. of Bath, F. R. S, discovery of Uranus, Herschel wedge.
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