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.
Matlock received [JH's] account, but bill was not enclosed. Is bill in papers that [JH] sent to [AH]?
JH is being subtly chastised for missing a meeting that the Prince of Wales attended.
JH requests that J. H. N. Hennessey be allowed to attend meeting of R.S.L. that evening.
His first series of illustrations are temporarily bound up and if JH likes he can borrow them for six months. Would like to retain Mr. Corda's book for a little longer.
Thanks for the packet. Remarks on Devon and recent events.
Family news.
Called last Tuesday. Unable to see him as he was away.
Short letter in code.
Just going on board to bring back Lady Ryan (wife of Sir Edward?) and will then call to see him. The furniture will be landed immediately. Proposes to sail Saturday morning.
Gives an example of lunar observations. Considers this a more accurate measurement than that obtained by the chronometer.
Sends regards to Herschel family.
Has written privately to the Chancellor of the Exchequer enclosing JH's letter. Thinks this preferable to asking the question publicly. Will be spending Whitsun at Bedgebury.
About etymology.
Requests JH's autograph and 'carte de visite' for a collection.
Asking for an appointment to meet with JH.
Missed one opportunity to meet JH; now seeks another.
Sending to the R.S.L. his memoir on the theory of light. Comments on his own theories.
Introducing an uncle-in-law who is residing at the Cape for health reasons. Normally lives at Madras and may prove useful to JH should he visit Madras.
Sending various tracts and a miscellaneous collection of lives. Would he look at the life of William Herschel and make any alterations or corrections as he sees fit.
Sending an algebraic problem and its solution.