ABSTRACT
If this book is to contribute to, and affect, historical scholarship on John Herschel specifically, or nineteenth-century science, politics, and culture more generally, a final case must be made for the key role Herschel's Cape voyage played in the creation of his tremendous popularity in his own day. As a result of his voyage, Herschel was perceived by both the British government and the British public as a scientific hero who had done something honorable and important for his country. There was created a public persona of Herschel that did not necessarily coincide with the actual Herschel, but nevertheless existed in contemporary popular culture. Herschel was used by the British government and royalty to demonstrate their support of Britain's scientific community; it would also use him as a means to imperial and political ends. At the coronation of Queen Victoria, baronetcies were distributed liberally. But only one man of science, Herschel, received this honor.
