Of “Musik” and Astronomy: The Life and Times of Sir William and Karoline Herschel
with R.P. Hale

This multi-media program features the life of Sir William Herschel, a harpsichordist, linguist, optician, astronomer, and telescope maker who lived during the times of Kings George II and George III of England. Born in Germany in 1738, he was first trained as an oboist in a Hanover military band before immigrating to England at the age of 19, where he quickly had to learn to make ends meet. He was a dance musician, then part of several orchestras, then a cathedral organist. He also learned advanced mathematics and optics during this time, while composing symphonies and harpsichord sonatas that were admired by Mozart and F.J. Haydn. In the 1770s, he took up practical astronomy and built some of the finest telescopes of the era, and at this time he was joined by his younger sister Karoline, who was training as a musician and telescope maker. The two made many discoveries in astronomy and built ever larger telescopes.

Wednesday, September 24, 2025
7:30 PM (Doors open at 7:00)
Free
Concord City Auditorium, 2 Prince Street
For a complete season schedule, visit www.walkerlecture.org