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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.
Has been delayed in France, but is sending large collection of double star observations for JH's comments and analysis. Has dismantled JS's observatory in Passy as part of return of JS to England. Comments on P. S. Laplace.
R.S.L. Council will meet 17 Nov. to discuss awarding its Copley medal; hence JS's paper, to be presented to R.S.L. later that day, cannot be considered for the award. Other matters have prevented JH from preparing annotations of JS's latest paper on double stars.
Attended inquest regarding the 'calamitous' fate of [James] Grahame. Is sending JH inquest report, which contains important information.
Attended meeting of the Astronomical Society and made observations of Saturn. Invites JH to dinner party. Activities at the Board of Longitude. Contacts with French scientists.
Thanks JH for information on JH's detection of Encke's Comet. JS's contacts with various astronomers, including Peter Barlow, John Pond, and François Arago.
Reports on meeting of Francis Baily, Francis Beaufort, and JS with Lord Melville on the subject of a new Board of Longitude. Discusses proposed voyage of [James] Ross. Activities at the Astronomical Society. Congratulations to JH on his marriage.
Explains that he does not wish to be a member of the new Board of Longitude; wishes instead to devote his energies to his research. Is leaving to travel for some months [with his bride]; cannot attend committee meetings during this period.
Has confirmed the existence of a sixth star in the Nebular Trapezium [of Orion]. Discusses interest among leaders of the Astronomical Society in securing a royal charter. Asks for JH's views.
Reports on discussion in Astronomical Society council whether to favor JH's recommendation of a new nomenclature regarding the angular positions of double stars, or to support JS's preference for William Herschel's method. Other activities concerning the Astronomical Society.
Comments on efforts toward getting a royal charter for the Astronomical Society, a paper by Peter Barlow, and activities of the R.S.L. Correspondence with Wilhelm Struve. Difficulties in getting his new telescope constructed.
Has received JH's communication. Asks that JH not write JS unless he can write in a 'different manner.'
Surprised at JS's response [see 1831-11-28] to his offer. Because the offer was well intentioned, repeats it and hopes that their mutual interests will lead to continued correspondence.
Regrets the tensions that arose between JH and JS. Congratulates JH on his knighthood. Laments the costs and difficulties involved in the construction of JS's new observatory.
Commiserates with JS's problems in the construction of JS's new observatory. Seeks to smooth over a misunderstanding between them. Failing health of JH's mother.
Has heard that JH is publishing an attack on JS's double star observations made in France. Is this correct?
Responds to JS's fear [see 1832-5-15] that JH has been preparing an attack on JS's double star observations by explaining in detail and providing extensive evidence that JH has no such intention.
Has visited Caroline Herschel, who is well. Discusses whether JH will make magnetic observations at the Cape of Good Hope.
A friend has requested JH to ask JS whether JS has a large Cauchoix objective lens that he would be willing to sell. JH has dismantled his 20-ft. telescope for voyage to Cape Town.
Does the person wishing to purchase JS's lens have a worthy objective in mind [see 1833-7-4]?
Assures JS that the person interested in purchasing JS's lens has worthy intentions for it, i.e., its use in a public institution. Regrets that JS distrusted JH's good intentions.