William Herschel

William Herschel

Sir Frederick William Herschel, KH, FRS ( Friedrich Wilhelm Herschel; 15 November 1738 – 25 August 1822) was a German-born British astronomer, technical expert, and composer. Born in Hanover, Germany, Herschel followed his father into the Military Band of Hanover, before emigrating to Britain at age 19. He became famous for his discovery of the planet Uranus, along with two of its major moons (Titania and Oberon), and also discovered two moons of Saturn. In addition, he was the first person to discover the existence of infrared radiation. He is known, as well, for the twenty-four symphonies that he composed.

Read more about William Herschel:  Early Life and Musical Activities, Astronomy, Discovery of Infrared Radiation in Sunlight, Biology, Family and Death, Memorial, Named After Herschel

Famous quotes containing the words william and/or herschel:

    O harmless Death! whom still the valiant brave,
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    And all the good embrace, who know the grave
    A short dark passage to eternal light.
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    Science is the knowledge of many, orderly and methodically
    digested and arranged, so as to become attainable by one. The
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    —John Frederick William Herschel (1792–1871)