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.
Has discovered another member of the group of planets between Mars and Jupiter. Gives readings. May be the lost planet of Niccolo Cacciatore.
Obviously a ring of planets is being discovered. Congratulations on the discovery. Is the reading based on one night's observations only? Gives it a female name, possibly Iris.
Giving the details of his planetary discovery. Likes JH's name, but several more have been suggested. K. L. Hencke may have observed the new planet, but sees no reason why it should not have an English name.
Was pleased to see one of JH's letters with his mail that morning. Recalls his first meeting with JH. Has arranged for JH's name to be added to those who receive free copies of the Journal.
Note to accompany details of WL's observations of the satellite of Neptune. [Details are found in WL's letter to H. C. Schumacher of 1847-8-6.]
Details of steps in his discovery of the satellite of Neptune. Gives details of the telescope he is using.
Grateful for JH's Cape observations. Has nothing new to report on the ring of Neptune. Has been troubled with dew on his prism, but has now succeeded in overcoming this difficulty.
Has had to leave his work with the Sector due to ill health. Found [George] Child overworked at the Observatory. Comments on some observations. Pleased to hear that JH's health has improved. Mr. Watermeyer has died and C. F. H. von Ludwig remarried. Gives latest news of Kaffir War. Comments on the quarrel between G. B. Airy and James South.
Forwarded letters to William Whewell, as JH requested. Will show copies of them to G. B. Airy. Completing volume of J. C. Ross's second crossing. Willing to take charge of W. R. Birt's models.
Thanks JH for the receipt of a report of JH's work.
Sent new actinometers and thermometers to various observatories along with JH's instructions.
Has noticed a resemblance between [Alexander von Humboldt's] Kosmos and MS's chapter, 'On Man,' in her manuscript. Advises her to revise. Sends results of observations at the Cape.
Has arrived from Paris and will continue to Hamburg. Regrets not being able to revisit Collingwood. Requests JH's work concerning the southern skies.
Thanks JH for introducing him to Robert Kane. Hears that JH will publish Cape results. Impatient to see them. Mentions JH's philosophical work.
Seeks London bookselling agent through whom to direct copies of JH's Cape Results for Dublin scientific groups. Discusses pretty names for new planets. Thanks for WH's memoir on quaternions.
Acknowledges receiving papers [see MV's 1847-8-27].
Sends papers to JH as president of the RAS.
Thanks JH for Gamma Scorpii observations. Plans to have Edinburgh Observatory record observations of 2-3000 stars over 30 years. Edinburgh observations for 1841 published.
Remarks on JH's Southern astronomy volume [Cape Results].
Will be pleased to dispose of the copies of the Reports when they arrive. Thanks for his own copy. Maria Edgeworth will be pleased with hers.