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.
'Private & confidential.' Asks JH to recommend reliable writer for 'Chronicles of Astronomy' section in Quarterly Journal of Science. Has purchased and will amalgamate with Edinburgh [New] Philosophical Journal. [JH annotation: Recommended [Edward] Brayley and [Robert] Grant].
Thanks JH for recommendations [see JS's 1864-3-24]. Plans new section in Quarterly Journal of Science to review recent events in science. Shall avoid 'craving for novelty' evident in other publications.
Lady Herschel is valuable friend, having written to TW often in China. TW was to have 'bowed before John Steward' but postponed. Heard of JH's son's intentions from [Alexander Hamilton?] Gordon.
Just received photograph of JH, because Mrs. Gordon forgot to forward it. [E. R. W. Wyndham-Quin] Lord Dunraven is jealous and wants one too. Enjoyed visit of Mr. [Juetty?] and Mrs. Gordon.
Doubts the claim that Auguste Comte has significantly influenced English scientists. Asks whether JH believes Comte has influenced JH or others. Asks whether it is more difficult to calculate the moon's motion or the motion of a projectile through a resisting medium.
In response to HS's query [1864-3-1] about the influence of Auguste Comte on English scientists, JH refers HS to JH's 1845 B.A.A.S. presidential address. States that calculating the motion of a projectile through a resisting medium is extremely difficult.
Announces son William's engagement to Emma Hardcastle; warns son John against the Anglo-Indian ladies; JH comments at length on a problem in surveying, and concludes with the news that daughter Francisca's health is improving.