Cape Landscapes: Sir John Herschel's Sketches 1834-1838

by Brian Warner

The life and sketches of Sir John Herschel—one of the most noted astronomers of the 19th century—are documented in this unparalleled contribution to the artistic and historical records of the Cape of Good Hope. An accomplished artist, Herschel used an optical device known as a camera lucida to create more than one hundred exquisite sketches depicting the landscapes of South Africa. Fully reproduced sketches coupled with narrative text and extensive background material place these unique illustrations in their historical and geographical context.

192 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2007

About the author

Astronomer at the University of Cape Town.

Professor Warner was one of the most distinguished astronomers in South Africa. When he arrived at UCT in 1972, he was the founding chair of astronomy in the then newly-established Department of Astronomy. He remained chair and head of the department for 33 years until his retirement at the end of 2004, after which he continued serving as a senior scholar in the department.

He obtained his BSc in 1961 and PhD in 1964 from University College London. Over his long and remarkable academic career, Professor Warner received numerous honours and awards for his outstanding scholarship. He was an NRF A-rated researcher throughout his active research career.