Showing 101–120 of 216 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.
Discusses feelings about offer of knighthood. Is ambivalent. Praises the Chancellor's [Henry Brougham's] interest in science.
Received word from the Chancellor [Henry Brougham] that he mentioned knighting JH to King [William IV]. If JH does not want this honor, he should write the Chancellor immediately.
Says JH virtually has no choice concerning accepting knighthood, because it is the will of the Chancellor [Henry Brougham] and King [William IV]. Urges JH to acquiesce for the benefit of science.
Will not oppose the the wishes of the Chancellor [Henry Brougham] concerning JH being knighted, especially if this might benefit science. Will visit Chancellor to thank him.
Has written the Chancellor [Henry Brougham] to accept the knighthood offered him. Sent observations from Monte Rosa to Lord Minto. Thanks WS for his help with the Chancellor.
Sir James Macken wishes the Herschels to come to dinner. Hopes they will attend.
Invites Herschels to dinner at Mrs. Turno's. Wishes to take a look at sky when JH gets home.
Apologizes for being poor correspondent. Interested in AQ's idea of taking magnets along on trips. JH used to bring his barometer. Is busy reducing sweeps. Has little time for chemistry and optics. Discusses Borax. Has worked with orbits of double stars. Mentions Mrs. Somerville's Celestial Mechanics.
Sends works for JH, the Astronomical Society, and several members. Worries about [P. F.] Verhulst. Asks for JH's recent observations. Has spent much time lately on the human laws. Thanks JH for seeing Edward Troughton and instruments. Has just heard that his friend Alexis Bouvard, who was like a father, is seriously ill.
Thanks for sending extension of JH's theorem and expresses its significance. Will send copy of paper on differential and integral calculus. Includes results of calculations of orbits of double stars and mentions orbits of satellites.
Regrets that JH will be unable to serve on charter revision committee. Asks for any suggestions.
Comments on a number of astronomical matters including double stars, awarding of medals, and on the elements of [Halley's] comet.
Appreciates JH's candid reply. Explains his reasons for requesting a recommendation, but understands that JH might not give it.
Believes that if position of Astronomer Royal should become vacant, G. B. Airy would be interested; JH would gladly support such a candidacy.
Refuses to write letter recommending WS as superintendent of Nautical Almanac. Lists reasons, among them that he will try to attend the meeting of [Board of Visitors] personally.
Discusses confusion with regard to possible separation of Nautical Almanac from Astronomer Royal and ensuing confusion regarding who will succeed John Pond as superintendent of Nautical Almanac. Asks JH to send letter recommending WS to the Duke.
Asks JH to join Sir James South in recommending that WS succeed John Pond as superintendent of the Nautical Almanac. [Marked 'Confidential'.]
Has determined the periods of four double stars. JH considers the determination of the elliptical orbits of double stars as 'one of the greatest [discoveries] ever made.'
Thanks JH for sending a copy of his Prelim. Discourse; notes that it has been translated into German from a French translation. Laments that she is 'decaying.'
Received news from the Duke of Cambridge of JH's appointment to the Royal Hanoverian Guelphic Order.