Herschel on Faraday and on Science

Abstract

Sir John Herschel ranks high among British men of science. His remains lie in Westminster Abbey next to those of Newton and Darwin, and near Maxwell’s memorial. His scientific achievements are outclassed by those of his neighbors, but if nobility of character and generosity of soul are to be considered he ranks with them all. The scion of a celebrated family, Herschel displayed throughout his long career an openness in sharing ideas, great or small, on many topics, with sundry applicants, making no attempt to reserve to himself any priority rights, and even heedless of whether credit accrued to his name. For example, as a pioneer in the development of photography, he freely disclosed all his discoveries to Fox Talbot, whose own behavior on such occasions compared meanly with that of Herschel.1 Enthusiasm for science was his passion; personal questions were of little moment.