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.
Is grateful for details of his method of calculating the orbits of double stars. Comments on some of his observations.
Has been considering what principle should be followed in the computation of the orbits of double stars. Gives his views.
Will apply JH's principle at the first opportunity. Has made some successful observations of the star Epsilon Arietes. Intends observing Castor on every fine evening.
How does one jog the memory of the First Lord of the Treasury [see GA's 1845-10-3]?
S. J. A. Compton [Lord Northampton] has addressed a private letter to Robert Peel [see GA's 1845-10-9].
Results of testing at Collingwood by JH and W. R. Dawes of two 8-inch object glasses made by William Simms for Cape of Good Hope observatory.
Supplement to JH's report [see JH's 1845-10-10] on object glasses for Cape Observatory. Different results at lower powers when observing planets.
Rejoices that RH is studying orbit of Mu2 Bootis. Suggests way to simplify calculations. Compares orbits for Gamma Virginis calculated by various observers. Notice of systematic errors.
Provides JH with the latest Royal Observatory values for Gamma Virginis [see JH's 1845-9-30], and advises JH to change his method of measuring double stars.
Still trying to solve the problem of jogging Robert Peel's memory [see JH's 1845-10-8].
Thanks JH for his report on William Simms's object glass trials [see GA's 1845-9-29], together with some other astronomical matters, including reference to a letter from F. W. Bessel.
A note to accompany the return of a letter to JH.
Has received a satisfactory response from the Admiralty [see JH's 1845-9-30].
Asks JH to write to George Merz for an object glass for a telescope for the Cape Observatory.
Thanks for the paper on the photographic effect of light on drugs. JH also comments on the photographic experiments of Mary Somerville.
Sends new edition of James Grahame's History of the United States. Pleased to have been in correspondence with JH. Describes events at Harvard Observatory.
Received 50 copies of memoirs of James Grahame. Will delete one passage in the copies he will distribute. Congratulates JQ on his literary accomplishment.
Thanks Herschels for allowing his daughter to visit. [William] Penn died suddenly. Will mention JH's sentiments to the family.
Discusses magnetic experimentation with regard to naval officers. [A. T.] Kupffer's report is based on proceedings at Cambridge. Discusses scientific conference and foreign governments.
Will neither affirm nor deny that he is Foreign Secretary of R.S.L. Discusses importance of Foreign Secretary.