John Frederick William Herschel

English polymath, mathematician, astronomer, chemist, inventor and photographer (1792–1871)
Person human Q14278
John Frederick William Herschel
Julia Margaret Cameron · Public Domain · Wikimedia
Press Enter · cited answer in seconds

John Frederick William Herschel

Summary

John Frederick William Herschel is a human[1]. Born in Slough[2], he… he died in Kent[3]. He worked as an astronomer[4], photographer[5], mathematician[6], chemist[7], and physicist[8]. He ranks in the top 0.7% of human entities by monthly Wikipedia readership (1,658 views/month, #6,981 of 1,000,298).[9]

Key Facts

  • John Frederick William Herschel was born in Slough[2].
  • John Frederick William Herschel died in Kent[3].
  • John Frederick William Herschel passed away in Hawkhurst[10].
  • John Frederick William Herschel is buried at Westminster Abbey[11].
  • John Frederick William Herschel's father was William Herschel[12].
  • John Frederick William Herschel's mother was Mary Baldwin[13].
  • Among John Frederick William Herschel's spouses was Lady Margaret Brodie Stewart[14].
  • A child of John Frederick William Herschel was John Herschel[15].
  • A child of John Frederick William Herschel was Alexander Stewart Herschel[16].
  • A child of John Frederick William Herschel was Caroline Emilia Mary Herschel[17].
  • A child of John Frederick William Herschel was Isabella Herschel[18].
  • A child of John Frederick William Herschel was Sir William Herschel, 2nd Baronet[19].
  • A child of John Frederick William Herschel was Margaret Louisa Marshall[20].
  • John Frederick William Herschel held citizenship in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland[21].
  • John Frederick William Herschel's professions included astronomer[4].
  • John Frederick William Herschel worked as a photographer[5].
  • John Frederick William Herschel's professions included mathematician[6].
  • John Frederick William Herschel's professions included chemist[7].
  • John Frederick William Herschel worked as a physicist[8].
  • John Frederick William Herschel worked as a writer[22].
  • John Frederick William Herschel's field of work was mathematics[23].
  • John Frederick William Herschel's field of work was astronomy[24].
  • John Frederick William Herschel's field of work was chemistry[25].
  • John Frederick William Herschel's field of work was photography[26].
  • John Frederick William Herschel held the position of Master of the Mint[27].

Body

Origins and Family

John Frederick William Herschel was born in Slough[2]. His father was William Herschel[12]. His mother was Mary Baldwin[13].

Education

Educated at Eton College[28], St John's College[29], and Lincoln's Inn[30].

Career and Affiliations

Recorded occupations include astronomer[4], photographer[5], mathematician[6], chemist[7], physicist[8], and writer[22]. Fields of work include mathematics[23], astronomy[24], chemistry[25], and photography[26]. Positions held include Master of the Mint[27], a position[31]; President of the British Science Association[32]; Rector of Marischal College, Aberdeen[33]; and President of the Royal Astronomical Society[34], a position[35], in United Kingdom[36], founded in 1821[37].

Recognition

Awards received include Fellow of the Royal Society[38], Copley Medal[39], Pour le Mérite for Sciences and Arts order[40], Royal Medal[41], Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society[42], and Lalande Prize[43].

Personal Life

John Frederick William Herschel was married to Lady Margaret Brodie Stewart[14]. Children include John Herschel[15], a surveyor[44], 1837–1878[45], of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland[46]; Alexander Stewart Herschel[16], an astronomer[47], 1836–1907[48], of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland[49], awarded the Fellow of the Royal Society[50], specialised in astronomy[51]; Caroline Emilia Mary Herschel[17], 1830–1909[52]; Isabella Herschel[18], 1831–1893[53]; Sir William Herschel, 2nd Baronet[19], a magistrate[54], 1833–1917[55], of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland[56], awarded the baronet[57]; and Margaret Louisa Marshall[20], 1834–1881[58].

Death and Burial

Recorded place of death include Kent[3], a ceremonial county of England[59], in United Kingdom[60] and Hawkhurst[10], a village[61], in United Kingdom[62]. Burial took place at Westminster Abbey[11].

Why It Matters

John Frederick William Herschel ranks in the top 0.7% of human entities by monthly Wikipedia readership (1,658 views/month, #6,981 of 1,000,298).[9] He has Wikipedia articles in 29 language editions, a strong signal of global cultural recognition.[63] He is known by 21 alternative names across languages and contexts.[64]

He has been cited as an influence by Charles Darwin[65], a geologist[66], 1809–1882[67], of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland[68], awarded the Royal Medal[69], specialised in biology[70] and Charles Pritchard[71], an astronomer[72], 1808–1893[73], of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland[74], awarded the Fellow of the Royal Society[75], specialised in astronomy[76].

He is credited with the discovery of cyanotype[77], a photographic printing process[78]; Ruprecht 147[79], an open cluster[80]; NGC 2736[81], a H II region[82]; NGC 2442/2443[83], a low-ionization nuclear emission-line region[84]; NGC 4993[85], an elliptical galaxy[86]; and NGC 3137[87], an intermediate spiral galaxy[88].

FAQs

Where was John Frederick William Herschel born?

John Frederick William Herschel's place of birth was Slough[2].

Where did John Frederick William Herschel die?

John Frederick William Herschel passed away in Kent[3].

Who were John Frederick William Herschel's parents?

John Frederick William Herschel's father was William Herschel[12]. John Frederick William Herschel's mother was Mary Baldwin[13].

Who was John Frederick William Herschel married to?

John Frederick William Herschel's spouses include Lady Margaret Brodie Stewart[14].

What did John Frederick William Herschel do for work?

John Frederick William Herschel worked as astronomer[4], photographer[5], mathematician[6], chemist[7], and physicist[8].

Where did John Frederick William Herschel go to school?

John Frederick William Herschel was educated at Eton College[28], St John's College[29], and Lincoln's Inn[30].

What awards did John Frederick William Herschel receive?

Honors received include Fellow of the Royal Society[38], Copley Medal[39], Copley Medal[89], and Pour le Mérite for Sciences and Arts order[40].

Who did John Frederick William Herschel influence?

John Frederick William Herschel has been cited as an influence by Charles Darwin[65] and Charles Pritchard[71].

What did John Frederick William Herschel discover?

John Frederick William Herschel is credited as discoverer of cyanotype[77], Ruprecht 147[79], NGC 2736[81], and NGC 2442/2443[83].

References

Programmatic citations — every numbered marker resolves to a verifiable graph row below.

Direct Wikidata claims

  1. [2] . www.accademiadellescienze.it. Retrieved . wikidata.org.
  2. [3] . www.accademiadellescienze.it. Retrieved . wikidata.org.
  3. [10] . MacTutor History of Mathematics archive. wikidata.org.
  4. [12] . Q75653886. wikidata.org.
  5. [13] . Q75653886. wikidata.org.
  6. [14] . Q75653886. Retrieved . wikidata.org.
  7. [21] . wikidata.org.
  8. [27] . wikidata.org.
  9. [32] . books.google.co.uk. books.google.co.uk. Provenance: wikidata.org.
  10. [33] . MacTutor History of Mathematics archive. wikidata.org.
  11. [34] . wikidata.org.
  12. [15] . wikidata.org.
  13. [16] . Q75653886. wikidata.org.
  14. [17] . The Peerage. wikidata.org.
  15. [18] . The Peerage. wikidata.org.
  16. [19] . The Peerage. wikidata.org.
  17. [20] . The Peerage. wikidata.org.
  18. [28] . MacTutor History of Mathematics archive. wikidata.org.
  19. [29] . MacTutor History of Mathematics archive. wikidata.org.
  20. [30] . MacTutor History of Mathematics archive. wikidata.org.
  21. [23] . Czech National Authority Database. Retrieved . wikidata.org.
  22. [24] . Czech National Authority Database. Retrieved . wikidata.org.
  23. [25] . Czech National Authority Database. Retrieved . wikidata.org.
  24. [26] . Czech National Authority Database. Retrieved . wikidata.org.
  25. [4] . Integrated Authority File. Retrieved . wikidata.org.
  26. [5] . A Short History of Astronomy. wikidata.org.
  27. [6] . A Short History of Astronomy. Retrieved . wikidata.org.
  28. [7] . The Fine Art Archive. Retrieved . wikidata.org.
  29. [8] . Retrieved . wikidata.org.
  30. [22] . Library of the World's Best Literature. wikidata.org.
  31. [11] . Find a Grave. wikidata.org.
  32. [38] . MacTutor History of Mathematics archive. wikidata.org.
  33. [39] . docs.google.com. Retrieved . docs.google.com. Provenance: wikidata.org.
  34. [89] . docs.google.com. docs.google.com. Provenance: wikidata.org.
  35. [40] . wikidata.org.
  36. [41] . MacTutor History of Mathematics archive. wikidata.org.
  37. [42] . MacTutor History of Mathematics archive. wikidata.org.
  38. [43] . MacTutor History of Mathematics archive. wikidata.org.

Inverse relationships (entities pointing at this one)

  1. [65] . wikidata.org. → on this site
  2. [71] . wikidata.org. → on this site
  3. [77] . wikidata.org. → on this site
  4. [79] . wikidata.org. → on this site
  5. [81] . wikidata.org. → on this site
  6. [83] . wikidata.org. → on this site
  7. [85] . wikidata.org. → on this site
  8. [87] . wikidata.org. → on this site

Inline context (facts about related entities)

  1. [59] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  2. [60] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  3. [61] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  4. [62] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  5. [31] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  6. [35] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  7. [36] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  8. [37] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  9. [44] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  10. [45] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  11. [46] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  12. [47] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  13. [48] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  14. [49] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  15. [50] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  16. [51] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  17. [52] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  18. [53] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  19. [54] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  20. [55] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  21. [56] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  22. [57] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  23. [58] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  24. [66] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  25. [67] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  26. [68] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  27. [69] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  28. [70] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  29. [72] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  30. [73] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  31. [74] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  32. [75] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  33. [76] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  34. [78] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  35. [80] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  36. [82] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  37. [84] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  38. [86] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  39. [88] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site

Class ancestry

  1. [1] . Wikidata. wikidata.org.

Aggregate / graph-position facts

  1. [9] . Wikimedia Foundation. dumps.wikimedia.org.
  2. [63] . Wikidata sitelinks. wikidata.org.
  3. [64] . Wikidata aliases. wikidata.org.

📑 Cite this page

Use these citations when quoting this entity in research, articles, AI prompts, or wherever provenance matters. We aggregate Wikidata + Wikipedia + authoritative open-data sources; the stitched, scored, cross-referenced view is what 4ort.xyz contributes.

APA 4ort.xyz Knowledge Graph. (2026). John Frederick William Herschel. Retrieved April 10, 2026, from https://4ort.xyz/entity/john-frederick-william-herschel
MLA “John Frederick William Herschel.” 4ort.xyz Knowledge Graph, 4ort.xyz, 10 Apr. 2026, https://4ort.xyz/entity/john-frederick-william-herschel.
BibTeX @misc{4ortxyz_john-frederick-william-herschel_2026, author = {{4ort.xyz Knowledge Graph}}, title = {{John Frederick William Herschel}}, year = {2026}, url = {https://4ort.xyz/entity/john-frederick-william-herschel}, note = {Accessed: 2026-04-10}}
LLM prompt According to 4ort.xyz Knowledge Graph (aggregator of Wikidata, Wikipedia, and authoritative open-data sources): John Frederick William Herschel — https://4ort.xyz/entity/john-frederick-william-herschel (retrieved 2026-04-10)

Canonical URL: https://4ort.xyz/entity/john-frederick-william-herschel · Last refreshed:

Edit History

Rolling log of changes to this entity's Wikidata record. Values shown reflect the current state of each edited property — follow the history link to see the precise diff for any edit.

  1. 13d ago · Quesotiotyo · 2026-05-22 view diff on Wikidata ↗
    P14397 2259
    Wikidata description English polymath, mathematician, astronomer, chemist, inventor and photographer
    "/* wbsetclaim-create:1||1 */ [[Property:P14397]]: 2259, Matched to [[:toollabs:mix-n-match/#/entry/290070032|John Frederick William Herschel,, 1st baronet 1792–1871 (#290070032)]] in [[:toollabs:mix-n"
  2. 23d ago · Epìdosis · 2026-05-12 view diff on Wikidata ↗
    Local thumb
    "/* wbeditentity-update:0| */ QuickStatements 3.0 [[:toollabs:qs-dev/batch/30845|batch #30845]]: match CERL IDs on the basis of GND (3)"
  3. 26d ago · Epìdosis · 2026-05-09 view diff on Wikidata ↗
    Local thumb
    Cantic id 981061604944206706
    "/* wbcreateclaim-create:1| */ [[Property:P9984]]: 981061604944206706, [[:toollabs:quickstatements/#/batch/257571|batch #257571]]"
Live feed via Wikidata EventStreams. New edits appear within minutes of being made on Wikidata.