William Herschel ( 1738 - 1822 )

Birth: Hanover, Germany (15 November 1738) Death: Observatory House, Slough, Buckinghamshire (25 August 1822) Burial: Under the tower, Church of St Laurence, Upton, Buckinghamshire Research Field: Astronomy Education: Hon LLD (1786, Edinburgh) Career: Oboist in the Hanoverian Foot Guards (from age 14); left Regiment and went to England (1757); music copyist, London; Director of Public Concerts, Leeds (1762); gave private music lessons; Organist for the new town organ, Halifax, but resigned shortly after (1766); Organist, Octagon Chapel, Bath (1766); began making astronomical obervations (1777); discovered the planet Uranus (13 March 1781); also discovered two of Uranus' moons, Titania and Oberon, and two of Saturn's moons; uniquely appointed King's Astronomer by George III; discovered infra-red heat; window commemorating him in Upton Church (unveiled 24 February 2001) Honours: Kt 1816 Memberships: Bath Philosophical Society (1779); FRAS (President 1821) Membership: Fellow Election Date: 6/12/1781 Medals/Prizes: Copley Medal 1781.