Showing 141–156 of 156 items
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.
In response to the gift of a book, JH comments on the philosophy of knowledge, and goes on to say that JH agrees with [John Stuart ?] Mill's rejection of the syllogism as a means of argument. In the postscript, JH comments on the nature of heat.
Expresses thanks for extract on cholera. Sends a copy of a paper on double stars. Hopes soon to be able to send supplement on double star orbits.
Is a listing of some of JH's papers in an attempt to clarify how many were distributed, and then JH indicates how many he will send to addressee.
Comments on the behavior of Sirius with its companion, and on the likelihood of the existence of the inter-Mercurial planet.
Responds to an unidentified mathematician who had written a critique of ideas put forward by Thomas Drummond, regarding whether to estimate the importance of various boroughs primarily in terms of population or in terms of the wealth of the population.
Lord Aberdeen [G. Hamilton-Gordon] must first refer JH's resignation to Queen Victoria. [?] encouraged Aberdeen to do it quickly, while Aberdeen is still in office.
Letter of introduction for William Walker, who wants to show Walker's nearly finished engraving, Distinguished Men of Science Living 1807-8, to JH.
Left 'proof plate' of William Herschel at JH's residence last week. Kept it in cottage for long time. Hopes it will find 'a better place' with JH.
Challenges JH's letter in the Times today justifying JH's remarks at B.A.A.S. that Charles Wheatstone invented electric telegraph. Believes Wheatstone 'pilfered' invention from Mr. Baines.
Requests JH's opinion on five specific points in 'Report on Standards.'
[P.S. on verso of cover. Rest of letter is missing.] Notified Mrs. Knipping of kind wishes sent by JH and wife. Will notify JH when personal effects of Caroline Lucretia Herschel have been inventoried and distributed according to JH's directions. Questions fate of [telescope] given to [J. F. L.] Hausmann by Caroline Herschel now that Hausmann is dead. Suggests donating it to observatory at Göttingen or to 'Archiv' in Hanover.
Asks JH about calculations of arcs of meridian.
Asks JH if he has thought of compiling William Herschel's works.
A lady is trying to make an appointment with JH.
Refers to 17 July 1827 communication from W. J. Burchell in Brazil to J. S. Duncan, brother of Phillip Duncan, noting increased brightness of Eta Navis, and that Alpha Centauri and Alpha Crucis are double stars.
Appeals to [JH] for expert opinion on author's 'true theory of our planetary System,' which could initiate a revolution in science but was met by ridicule.