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.
Looked for JS to talk with him about the secretaryship of the R.S.L., specifically discussing Charles Babbage's position. JH would prefer to have JS nominate Babbage.
Urges JS not to insist on a minor point of dispute about the title of a prospective member. JH feels it is inappropriate and will simply reflect against Charles Babbage, who proposed this person for membership.
Informs JH that in a letter to The Times signed by Richard Sheepshanks JH's name appears. JS wants to know if JH is aware of this fact.
JH has seen the letter in The Times [see JS's 1838-11-12]. As JS only asked if JH's name was there, JH responds to the question of fact and does not wish further communication on the matter.
Someone has written to The Times as JH's 'champion' and has impugned the conduct of JS towards the R.S.L. To clear his name, JS wants to make public JH's letter to JS of 1826-11-14, which JS quotes.
As JH is not aware that JS has been attacked because of the incident referred to in JH's 1826-11-14, JH is unwilling to give permission for the publication of that letter. It seems to JH that JS is being attacked for unsubstantiated attacks he made on the President and Council of the R.S.L.
As JH will not allow the publication of the letter [see JH's 1838-11-24], JS will provide a plain narrative of the facts to justify his conduct.
Would like JH's permission to make public JH's letter of 1826-11-14 in defence of the conduct of the late Humphry Davy.
States unequivocally that the letter referred to in JS's 1864-10-11 has not 'a syllable' that can in any way affect the question of the conduct or character of the late Humphry Davy. JH could not conceive of publication of the letter without the express consent of the other person mentioned in it [Charles Babbage].
Received JH's letter of 1864-10-14 'with grief almost inexpressible.'
As JH has been approached by Charles Babbage for permission to publish certain portions of JH's correspondence, JH is writing to say that he gives both Babbage and JS permission to publish what they will.
Writes a very kind letter, encouraging JS to remember the good days when JS and JH worked together in astronomy, and to forget less happy events. [This letter was enclosed in JH's 1865-5-31 to John F. South.]
Sends three chronometers set to Blackman St. time. Confirm them by a transit of Arcturus tomorrow, then return them to JS at Blackman St. Gives times for next rocket firings.
Coordinates plans for firing rockets at Blackman St. and Slough. Problems with chronometer errors. [JH annotation: Longitudes of Slough, Greenwich, and Blackman St. Will fire rockets next on 10 July.]
Concerning calculations for the parallax of Mars.
Appreciates JS's support of JH's mother at death of William Herschel. Invites JS to attend WH's remains to grave.
Asks WH to contribute to a fund to place a bust of Edward Troughton in Greenwich Observatory. Introduces himself to WH.
Will see JH on Friday; hoping for clear weather.
Discusses a paper JS is preparing for the Astronomical Society. Mentions his recent observations. Suspects the report of a comet is a hoax.
Gives directions for some time measurements involving rockets JS was planning in conjunction with JH. Mentions various double stars.