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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.
Comments on proofs of WW's German translations. JH recommends that the magnetic observations already made should be reduced to show some results, rather than adding more observations.
Comments on WW's publication on education [Liberal Education, 1845 ?], especially as it applies to the teaching of mathematics. JH has been teaching JH's son William mechanics by WW's book on the subject.
Grateful for WW's comments on investigations of [Simon] Stevin. JH's work on polarization of light. Discovery of multiple axes of polarization was preempted by David Brewster. Diagrams polarization of niter crystals and Iceland spar.
Alerts WW, who was coming to visit the Herschels, that scarlet fever has arrived at JH's household. Comments onWW's writings about glacial theory.
Is trying to arrange a magnetic conference during the first few days of other meetings.
Invites WW to Slough before JH travels to Midhurst [to consider property for sale].
Despite respecting the distinguished company in the Geological Society, JH must refuse its presidency.
Received JH's Cape Results with joy. JH gives new interest to 'our old friend the Great Bear.' WW thinking of setting up self registering photographic magnetic observatory at Lowestoft.
Reports to the B.A.A.S. [through WW as section president] on experiments JH has conducted concerning the photochemical effects of the rays at the far red end of the spectrum.
Offers consolation to Margaret Herschel on the death of her daughter Margaret Louisa.
Expresses happiness that JH's health has improved and comments on various family matters.
Is actively pursuing mathematical investigations. Plans to come to Cambridge soon for a short visit. Will follow this first letter by many more. Excavations by the Geological Society going on in JH's area.
Discusses university politics. Misses JH. Impressed by [Edward] Bromhead's mathematical abilities. Is considering translating a book by S. F. Lacroix. George Peacock's Tripos examination questions have caused controversy. Believes Peacock should have stressed applied over pure mathematics.
Asks about WW's mathematical investigations. JH's book on algebra is progressing. Describes mathematical investigations by [Edward] Bromhead in calculus of factors. Misses Cambridge.
Is pursuing mathematical investigations with Charles Babbage. Asks WW to check whether George Peacock is progressing in printing the Supplement to Lacroix's volume.
Informs JH of the place of Simon Stevin in the history of the idea of a parallelogram of forces. Has heard that JH is investigating polarized rays.
Thanks WW for and expresses agreement with WW's analysis of Simon Stevin. Describes experiments JH is conducting on the polarization of light.
Expresses thanks for and comments on JH's account of JH's optical experiments. Discusses efforts to improve mathematical education at Cambridge, including WW's book on mechanics.
Praises WW's new book [Elementary Treatise on Mechanics]; is working to get WW elected to the R.S.L. Criticizes a pamphlet by George Peacock. Comments on rules proposed for the new Cambridge Philosophical Society.
Provides detailed travel suggestions for WW's planned trip to the continent. Asks WW to deliver letters to various European scientists.