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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.
Believes that if R.S.L. gives medals that year, J. R. Hind should receive one. John Lubbock is another possible candidate for his work on perturbation theory.
Suggests WS take the chair at the next R.S.L. meeting. Discusses a project of John Lubbock's. Fears Caroline Herschel will not survive the year.
Cannot attend R.A.S. meeting to explain Mme. Witte's lunar model; will send notes of explanation. Busy with the publication of Cape Results. Will write paper on improved method of calculating double star orbits. Discusses relationships of periods of Saturnian satellites.
Offers condolences to Ann Smyth. WS's calculation of Gamma Virginis orbit surprises JH. Concerned about accurate methods of calculation. Remarks on excavation of Chelsea mammoth.
Compliments WS on his Cycle of Celestial Objects. Inquires who instigated the move for reform of the Nautical Almanac.
Has written recommendation supporting C. P. Smyth for position of Astronomer Royal for Scotland. Suggests that C. P. Smyth, after returning to Britain, seek a teacher to help overcome his stutter. Encloses letter from P. H. L. Boguslawski for WS to present to R.A.S.
Gives suggestions for Edinburgh Board of Visitors. Gives no specific names, but says it should include theoretical and practical astronomers, geographers, and meteorologists.
Discusses Cold Harbor. Suggests the Duke of Bedford [F. C. H. Russell] could help secure a pension for Thomas Maclear.
Thanks WS for C. P. Smyth drawings of Cape monument and Gamma Virginis observations. Notes J. H. Mädler's work on double stars and the doubt that they obey the inverse square law. Discusses use of photography in astronomy.
Sends P. H. L. Boguslawski's address. Asks WS to send J. H. Mädler's chart to P[eter] Stewart.
Approves of James Nasmyth's application to join R.S.L. Describes good points of Nasmyth's telescope. Supposes that if he had drawing talent, he would sketch the members of the R.S.L.
Discusses Neptune discovery controversy; believes both scientists should receive medals.
Plans to write John Russell in an effort to secure a pension for Thomas Maclear; asks for R.A.S. and WS's support. Asks WS to obtain some facts relevant to pension request.
Skeptical over plan for galvanic illumination of wires. Has not yet seen J. B. Biot article; states he has always held Biot in high regard. Discusses naming of new planet.
Believes Beta Ursae Minoris to be a slow variable star. Remarks on diminution of the star's brightness between 1840 and 1841.
Thanks WS for copy of W. S. Jacob paper on American telescope. Hopes that Jacob will attempt Talbotypes of sun spots while at Aden.
Suggests trustees of British Museum make an offer for Mme. Witte's lunar model. Cape Results at press. Observed double comet.
Believes council should decide the handling of the medal over the discovery of Neptune. Thinks that if J. C. Adams receives a medal, U. J. J. Leverrier should receive 'the more prominent distinction.'
Proposal of giving medals to both J. C. Adams and U. J. J. Leverrier by William Whewell turned down by R.A.S.
Extract from observations of 70 Ophiuchi by F. W. Bessel. Results agree with WS's measurements by different method and increase WS's confidence. Hopes for more information on Gamma Virginis before finalizing WS's manuscript.