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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.
Tells WT about JH developing the thermographic paper which is susceptible to 'calorific' and 'chemical' rays of light.
Comments on use of muriate of lime on plants. Also on existence of unexplained bands on film and on presence of red light beyond normal spectrum with light originating from certain sources.
Willingly gives JH permission to engrave a portrait photograph taken with WT's process. WT asks JH if he would be willing to testify on WT's behalf if necessary, relating to infringement of patent rights. WT announces that John Hind has discovered another asteroid [Euterpe].
Asks JH to sign an affidavit that WT is the inventor of the calotype or talbotype as some are trying to break WT's patent hold.
Sends JH a copy of the affidavit [see WT's 1854-5-15] and asks for JH's emendations, if any, and his signature. Sends JH a photograph engraved on steel.
Comments on the affidavit supplied by WT; will sign most of it but objects to one section.
Explains the way an affidavit works in the Court of Chancery. Because JH feels uncomfortable about certain aspects of the affidavit, WT will not trouble him about it again.
Clarifies JH's position, by saying that he clearly supports WT as the inventor of the calotype or talbotype, but has reservations about the collodion process.
WT's opponents have named JH in one of their affidavits against WT. WT is therefore asking JH to respond to what is stated in that affidavit.
Reports to JH that the patent infringement case had been decided in WT's favor, and tells of one incident in court.
Sent WT's specimens to J. B. Biot and F. J. D. Arago in Paris. Developed paper sensitive to heat rays of sun 'beyond the spectrum.' Diagram of three spectra: 'luminous, chemical, and thermic.'
Asks JH about Dr. Balfour's account in Asiatic Researches about lunar effects on humans in India.
Comments on Josef Fraunhofer's work on double stars, on quality and color of light from different sources, refraction of different kinds of light, and solution of a problem in conic sections. Is going to Geneva and Modena soon.
Describes observations made as he travelled and people visited on journey from London to Ancona.
Talks about Josef Fraunhofer's failing health and his making of flint glass.
Is sending on two items directed to JH through WT.
Writes in favour of a London University professorship for Thomas Key. Refers to some optical experiments of Michael Faraday, and extends solution of conic section problem first raised in WT's letter of 1826-2-27.
Describes prismatic spectrum of flame of cyanogen and offers to repeat experiment with Michael Faraday for JH's benefit.
Queries and comments about telescopes and microscopes; some thoughts about a diffraction grating.
Asks JH to clarify what goods are his from a joint order with WT from a German optical firm.