Authentic particulars respecting both the early and private life of this great astronomer are sadly deficient; his scientific works are, however, of a world-wide reputation, and it is with these that we are chiefly concerned. William Herschel was born at Hanover, and was one of a numerous family, who supported themselves chiefly by their musical talents. At the age of fourteen William was placed, it is said, in the band of the Hanoverian regiment of Guards, which he accompanied to England at a period variously stated from 1757 to 1759. On his arrival he remained for some time at Durham, and was subsequently, for several years, organist at Halifax, where he was also employed in teaching music and studying languages. At length, about the year 1766, he found himself in comparatively easy circumstances, as organist of the Octagon Chapel at Bath. Here Herschel began to study earnestly the science of astronomy; and feeling the necessity of obtaining a good telescope, the purchase of which would be beyond his means, he determined to make one himself. After many trials, he succeeded in 1774 in executing with his own hands a reflecting telescope, and soon acquired so much dexterity, as to construct instruments of ten and twenty feet in focal length. In the year 1780 he contributed his first paper, 'On the Variable Star in Cetus,' to the Royal Society; and on the 13th of March, 1781, announced to the world his discovery of a supposed comet, which, on further examination, proved to be a planet exterior to Saturn, now named Uranus.[20] This fortunate success was the first addition to the number of primary planets since a period of an immemorial antiquity, and it speedily made the name of Herschel famous.