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OverviewThis first full-length biography of Sir John Herschel tells of a remarkable man who contributed to nearly every branch of astronomy and to half a dozen other sciences as well. The only son of the astronomer Sir William Herschel (founder of stellar astronomy and discoverer of the planet Uranus), he comes vividly to life in descriptions of his personality and his varied achievements. Making admirable use of John Herschel's unpublished correspondence, diaries, and notebooks, the author covers his extensive astronomical observations at Cape Town in South Africa, his pioneering work in photography and in physical optics in Britain, and his unhappy experiences as Master of the Mint - and much more. John Herschel was so attractive and enterprising an individual that his biography will appeal to general readers as well as to professionals - historians of science, astronomers, and scientists in related fields. Full Product DetailsAuthor: Gunther ButtmanPublisher: James Clarke & Co Ltd Imprint: Lutterworth Press Dimensions: Width: 15.80cm , Height: 2.30cm , Length: 24.00cm Weight: 0.610kg ISBN: 9780718820879ISBN 10: 0718820878 Pages: 288 Publication Date: 27 November 1987 Audience: General/trade , General Format: Hardback Publisher's Status: Out of Print Availability: Out of stock  Table of ContentsPreface Introduction by David S. Evans 1. The Young Prodigy 2. Versatility, Vocation, and Travel 3. The Astronomical Heritage 4. At the Cape of Good Hope 5. Constellation Reform and Terrestrial Magnetism 6. Photography and Photochemistry 7. The Collingwood Period 8. Public Office and Last Years Reference Notes Bibliography IndexReviewsGiven the double helix confessions of a Watson and the spate of books on Oppenheimer, Lawfence and other contemporary scientists, one looks with suspicion on the gentle scientific biography in which the hero is truly a Hero. Yet this study of John Herschel, the distinguished astronomer son of William Herschel (who discovered Uranus) does ring true. John was the special prodigy son, tutored at home, brilliant at Cambridge, and in the course of 79 years the producer of exhaustive tomes on binary star systems and nebulae, catalogues of both northern and southern skies as well as scores of papers, popular books and essays in fields encompassing all physical science. You will like Herschel who relaxed by playing the violin, translating the Iliad, writing sentimental poetry, and enjoying his own talented brood of children. Nil tetigit, quod no ornavit, Charles Pritchard wrote in his obituary, He touched nothing he did not adorn and Gunther Buttman seems to have proved his case. (Kirkus Reviews) Author InformationGunther Buttmann is a Herschel scholar whose book, first published in Germany, has been internationally hailed as a major biography. Tab Content 6Author Website:Countries AvailableAll regions |
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