Astronomer and Musician

Friedrich Wilhelm Herschel (always known as William) was born in Hanover on 15th November 1738 into a musical family. His father was a bandmaster in the Hanoverian Guards, and it was at the Garrison School that William received his education, excelling in mathematics, languages and music.

Posted to England with his regiment in 1756 to guard against a possible French invasion — the Seven Years War was raging —William learnt English and was determined to become a musician at the close of hostilities. Initially he earned money by copying music, but then took up several appointments around the north of England before moving to Bath as organist at the new Octagon Chapel. He was invited to become oboist in Linley’s famous orchestra which played daily in the Pump Room at a time when Bath was the most fashionable place for the gentry.

Herschel and his sister Caroline — herself a singer — moved into 19 New King Street in September 1777. Here they stayed for two years before moving to a house in Rivers Street.

Although William was professionally a musician and composer, he had always been fascinated with astronomy. His first recorded observations date back to February 1766 when he looked at Venus and an eclipse of the moon. Initially a casual hobby, astronomy began to take over. Learning the skill of making and polishing lenses and mirrors, William constructed his own telescope. Finding his Rivers Street home unsatisfactory, Herschel returned to 19 New King Street, and before the move back was complete, he set up his telescope in the garden. There, on 13th March 1781, he discovered the planet now known as Uranus.

Ironically, this discovery put paid to Herschel’s sojourn in Bath. William’s fame spread and in the spring of 1782 he was summoned by fellow Hanoverian, King George III (a keen amateur scientist), to Windsor, and to bring with him his latest telescope which was far superior to anything then at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich. The King and Queen, together with other members of the Royal Family, were able to observe Saturn and Jupiter as well as other celestial objects. Herschel was granted a Civil List pension of £200 per year by the King on condition that he live near Windsor and make himself available to show interesting celestial objects to members of his family and their guests. Thus Herschel’s musical career and his connection with 19 New King Street came to an end and the City of Bath was the poorer for it.

However, the musical genes persist, and a descendant of William, Anthony Herschel Hill, is also a composer. Among Anthony’s compositions published by S&B are Four Pieces for Cello and Piano (Ref H178 £6.00); Four Pieces for Double Bass and Piano (Ref H202 £6.30); Two Pieces for Viola and Piano (Ref H179 £6.00) and Ubi Caritas for SATB (Ref W129 £2.15).

19 New King Street is now The William Herschel Museum.  www.bath-preservation-trust.org.uk