In 1852 Hermann Goldschmidt (1802-66) discovered the twenty-first minor planet, which he named Lutetia in honour of his city of residence, Paris. By the time of his death he had discovered a further thirteen asteroids.
Evidence about Goldschmidt is elusive. There are references to him in contemporary letters and journals, and his own entries to the Astronomy News and Astonomical Journal, but otherwise he is an enigmatic figure.

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