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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.
Received JF's paper on 'thermographic process.' Believes that thermic rays were responsible for experimental results of JF, J. W. Draper, and Ludwig Moser. JH's theory of and experiments with thermic rays, which are different from 'calorific' and visible rays, in solar spectrum.
Writes to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to give JH's opinion about the probable utility of continuing to spend money on Charles Babbage's calculating machine.
Tells CB about a visit by JH and Wolryche Whitmore to the Duke [of ?] to present the case for more government funds for Charles Babbage's calculating machine.
Impressed by accuracy of actinometer measurements made by JK, Joseph Dayman, and P. A. Scott from Feb. to Sept. 1841 at JK's observatory at Rossbank [Tasmania]. Suggests methods to improve readings and simplify reductions.
Submit revisions to instructions for conducting and reporting magnetic and meteorological observations.
JH's reasons for requesting three-year extension of magnetic and meteorological survey from British government and H.E.I.C. Preliminary results from global stations.
Is insistent that JH cannot perform the functions of Foreign Secretary [of the R.A.S.] as he has too much to do already, and has had to give up much of his personal scientific correspondence.
Offers to provide committee with plans for and to supervise construction of new instrument, devised by JH, for study of solar spectrum.
Welcomes ER back to England. Met ER's host, Charles Babbage, at Greenwich yesterday. Wants to visit before ER departs for Geneva, but JH's wife is ill. Based on accounts of Geneva by ER's wife, JH sent three oldest daughters and their governess to spend summer there.
A strong letter on behalf of the provision of financial support for Professor [James David] Forbes, along with JH's personal statement of belief in the need to free distinguished scientists from teaching duties.
On the basis of some compounds referred to by AS [see 1842-5-10], JH has now developed a new form of photography using gold as a stimulant; JH calls it the 'Argyrotype'.
Has passed on GA's note to Edward Sabine; cannot write more because his hand shakes too much, having just made a snow-man for the children.
Sends a letter from Humphrey Lloyd for GA's comments.
Thanks GA for his comments [see GA's 1842-1-18]; hopes that GA would be willing to have such statements, and other similar statements, made public.
Asks GA's opinion as to whether Ordinance observatories should make their magnetic observations on a 3-minute or 5-minute system.
Is organizing a committee to revise the instructions for observers at magnetic observatories; GA is on it.
Declines to review WC's recent work, and then JH justifies his position for the rest of the letter.
Informs BT of the birth of JH's daughter Julia. Mother and child are both doing well.
Goes into considerable detail in providing information about the business organization of the Munich lens makers, and the high quality of their lenses. Urges the benefits of achromatic lenses, and sends MC some specimens of JH's photography.
Discusses time intervals for [magnetic] observation. Sorry a change was ever contemplated. Asks that his opinion be sent to [Humphrey] Lloyd and that ES make the final decision on how to proceed.