How did William Herschel earn a living before becoming an astronomer?

Before establishing himself as an astronomer, William Herschel pursued a successful career in music. Following in the footsteps of his father, who was an army musician, Herschel initially played in the band of the Hanoverian Guards.1

After moving to England in 1757, he supported himself by copying music. Over time, he advanced his professional standing by working as a music teacher, performer, and composer. His career culminated in 1766 when he was appointed as the organist for a fashionable chapel in Bath.1

His transition to astronomy began while he was in Bath; his intellectual curiosity led him to study the theory of music, which eventually introduced him to the study of optics and the construction of telescopes. He continued his musical work until 1782, when he secured a pension from King George III following his discovery of the planet Uranus, allowing him to devote himself exclusively to astronomy.1