The Herschel Museum Remembers

Sir Patrick Moore had a longstanding involvement with the Herschel Museum of Astronomy.  He was Patron of the Museum and also president of the William Herschel Society.   Professor Francis Ring, of the William Herschel Society remembers: “It was Patrick Moore’s enthusiastic support together with Doctors Leslie and Elizabeth Hilliard that saved the house in New King Street from demolition and subsequently set up the museum there.  He also agreed to become President of the William Herschel Society which was founded in 1977.”

Sir Patrick wrote several booklets about William, John and Caroline Herschel which are on sale in the museum shop.  He supported museum events; coming to unveil the statue of the Herschels in the garden in the 1980s and opening the Star Vault astronomy auditorium in 2003.  He described William Herschel as ‘arguably the greatest of all astronomical observers’.  Sir Patrick Moore brought astronomy to life for thousands, he was in every way the ideal Patron for the Museum.