The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
All other sections in this Literature Study Guide are owned and copyrighted by BookRags, Inc.
Herschel grew up in a home where her father encouraged her learning, much to the displeasure of her mother, who believed girls should remain ignorant of everything except traditional skills like knitting. After her father's death in 1767, Herschel came under the oppressive control of her mother. Finally, in 1772, she left Germany to pursue a musical career in England, living with her brother, scientist William Herschel.
In England she trained to become a professional singer, but she also began to study mathematics under her brother's tutelage. William Herschel soon involved her in his hobby, astronomy. She helped him grind and polish mirrors for his telescope while copying catalogs and tables for his reference. When he discovered the planet Neptune in 1781, William Herschel was awarded a yearly stipend by George III that allowed him and his sister to pursue astronomy full time.
As she became more proficient with her own telescope, Caroline Herschel made a name for herself in this largely male domain. In 1783 she discovered three new nebulae and from 1786-1797 she discovered eight comets. George III awarded her a salary as well, a rare gesture at the time. She also took on a formidable task: she made a thorough index of the star catalog created by John Flamsteed (1646-1719), the first Royal Astronomer. This job called for perseverance, accuracy, and attention to details, all qualities in which she excelled.
Following her brother's death she returned to Hanover, Germany, but remained in close contact with her brother's son, astronomer John Herschel (1792-1871), for whom she compiled a new catalog of nebulae. Along with Scottish scientific writer Mary Somerville (1780-1872), Herschel became the first women to be awarded an honorary membership in the Royal Society. In spite of her inadequate training, she became a legend in her time and an important figure in the history of astronomy.