Sir John Herschel (1792-1871), son of the astronomer William Herschel and nephew to Caroline Herschel, was the most influential natural philosopher of the Victorian period.
His long career encompassed astronomy, mathematics, physics, geology, chemistry, as well as art, literature, politics, and the invention of photography. Herschel’s 1831 Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy was the first book in English on the philosophy of science and had a formative influence on a generation of scientists, including Charles Darwin. This conference explores all aspects of Herschel’s life & work.
Of particular note is session three:
Herschel’s Methodology
- Herschel’s Art of Drawing / Omar Nasim, University of Regensburg
- Herschel’s Photographic Work / Kelley Wilder, De Montfort University
- Herschel and Scientific Standardization / Edward Gillin, University College London
John Herschel - The last polymath
Hybrid: Online and 16 Queen Square Bath, BA1 2HN, 8 June 2024, 0900-1800
£18-36
Details and booking: https://www.brlsi.org/john-herschel-the-last-polymath/
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