Contents

Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. Contents v
3. Illustrations vii
4. Preface ix
5. The Herschel Family xiii
6. PROLOGUE. August 1772. The Partnership Convenes 1
7. 1. 1707–1773: A Musician’s Odyssey 6
8. 2. 1773–1778: Vocations in Conflict 28
9. 3. 1779–1781: An Enthusiasm Shared 44
10. 4. 1781–1782 Royal Patronage 57
11. 5. 1782–1783: “Astronomer to his Majesty” 69
12. 6. 1783–1785: The Construction of the Heavens 82
13. 7. 1782–1790: “One of the Greatest Mechanics of his Day” 108
14. 8. 1786–1788: “Gold Can Glitter as Well as the Stars” 129
15. 9. 1788–1798: “Noble and Worthy Priestess of the New Heavens” 138
16. 10. 1788–1810: “The Most Celebrated of All the Astronomers of the Universe” 146
17. 11. 1792–1822: The Torch is Handed On 158
18. 12. 1822–1833: John’s “Sacred Duty” 186
19. 13. 1833–1848: “The Completion of My Father’s Work” 197
20. Abbreviations 209
21. Notes 211
22. Bibliographic Essay 223
23. Further Reading 225
24. Index 229