JH will be presented with the Gold Medal of the Astronomical Society of London.
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The Sir John Herschel Collection
The preparation of the print Calendar of the Correspondence of Sir John Herschel (Michael J. Crowe ed., David R. Dyck and James J. Kevin assoc. eds, Cambridge, England: Cambridge Univ. Press, 1998, viii + 828 pp) which was funded by the National Science Foundation, took ten years. It was accomplished by a team of seventeen professors, visiting scholars, graduate students, advanced undergraduates, and staff working at the University of Notre Dame.
The first online version of Calendar was created in 2009 by Dr Marvin Bolt and Steven Lucy, working at the Webster Institute of the Adler Planetarium, and it is that data that has now been reformatted for incorporation into Ɛpsilon.
Further information about Herschel, his correspondence, and the editorial method is available online here: http://historydb.adlerplanetarium.org/herschel/?p=intro
No texts of Herschel’s letters are currently available through Ɛpsilon.
JH will be presented with the Gold Medal of the Astronomical Society of London.
Discusses nebulae. Begs JH not to overwork himself. Hopes to live long enough to see JH marry; advises JH that if he can marry a 'good-natured, handsome, and sensible young lady, pray think of it, and do not wait till you are old and cross.'
Pleased that JH supports CH's plans for her will. Worries about JH's safety at Puy de Dôme.
The first volume of Johann Pfaff's German translation of William Herschel's papers has been published; asks JH to inform her whether he wants a copy. Commenting on her boredom, CH laments that her 'sole employment consists in keeping myself in good humor and not be disagreeable to others.'
Describes her role in William Herschel's work as 'a mere tool which he had the trouble of sharpening and to adapt for the purpose he wanted it.' Sending to JH the first volume of Johann Pfaff's translation of William Herschel's papers in three weeks; believes that JH will be unhappy with it.
Discusses her will.
Sending a copy of Johann Pfaff's German translation of William Herschel's papers.
Hopes that JH will find a matter [the professorship at Cambridge] not 'incompatible with your [JH's] other avocations.'
Thanks JH for advice on a legal matter.
Asking for introductions to certain men of science in Paris. Revision of his views on his figure of the earth, and casting doubt on Edward Sabine's pendulum observations.
Sending his paper on the 'Figure of the Earth.' Description of work at Greenwich Observatory. Remarks on projected expedition to Falmouth and Ashbourne.
Instructions regarding the printing of his paper the 'Figure of the Earth' in the transactions. Details of the disappointing expedition to Falmouth.
Thanking him for his letters of introduction to Paris. Remarks on one of GA's papers; one of his calculations incorrect.
Information on a Mr. Atkinson. Remarks on dispersion of rays in glass.
Further regarding parcels of books sent to G. S. G. Santini of Padova. Details and comments on telescopes used for observations.
Has a micrometer under construction and gives details. Pietro Prandi has published a second memoir on mercury covered with sulfuric acid.
Comments on articles recently published on microscopy.
Preparing to give a lecture at the R.S.L., and writes seeking some information. Comments on some work of G. A. Plana and P. S. Laplace. [Much of this letter is illegible.]
Has been to the observatory. New comet discovered. Has met P. S. Laplace. Does he know of any tables of logarithms to 10,000?
Has just returned from collecting information on machines. Regarding the Lucasian professorship at Cambridge. Has met a clockmaker who is able to work on his machine.