Caroline Herschel
The first woman paid for astronomical work, she escaped a life of domestic servitude to discover comets and catalog the stars.
1750–1848 (age 98)·German-British astronomer·Birthday: March 16
Biography
Caroline Herschel's story is one of brilliant escape. Brought to England by her brother William to keep his house, she soon traded a broom for a telescope. Initially an assistant, her meticulous patience and sharp eye made her an indispensable partner in William's revolutionary sweeps of the night sky. But she carved her own path into history. She became the first woman to discover a comet, ultimately finding eight, and the first to have her work published by the Royal Society. Her painstaking creation of a catalog of nebulae and star clusters was a monumental contribution that guided astronomers for generations. Awarded a salary by King George III, she transformed from her brother's helper into the first professional female astronomer, shattering the ceiling of the 18th-century scientific world and leaving a permanent mark on our map of the universe.
#1 When Caroline Was Born
The biggest hits of 1750
Caroline's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1750Born
1755Started school
1763Became a teenager
1766Could drive
1768Could vote
1771Turned 21
1780Turned 30
1790Turned 40
1800Turned 50
1810Turned 60
1820Turned 70
1830Turned 80
1848Died at 98
Key Achievements
- Discovered eight comets, including the periodic comet 35P/Herschel-Rigollet, between 1786 and 1797.
- Compiled the 'Catalogue of Nebulae and Clusters of Stars,' a significant expansion of her brother's work that was later used by John Herschel.
- Became the first woman to receive a salary for scientific work when King George III granted her an annual pension of £50.
- Was awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1828 and became an honorary member in 1835.
Did You Know?
She began her career as a professional singer before fully devoting herself to astronomy.
A small crater on the Moon is named 'C. Herschel' in her honor.
She lived to be 97 years old, remaining intellectually active for most of her long life.
She was the first woman to have a scientific paper read at the Royal Society.
“I found I was to be trained as an assistant to my brother, and by way of encouragement a telescope was given to me.”
