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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.
Received JH's profile. Glad William Herschel's portrait is taken. WW has one from forty years ago. Lady Watson not well. Requests information about 'the comet.' Happy for account of Beckwiths.
Is going to Edinburgh to apply for the post left vacant by John Playfair's death. Would JH and his father give him certificates and references? [Note by Mrs. CB to the effect that her husband has heard that James Ivory will not be contesting the professorship at Edinburgh].
Apologizes for the long delay in answering his letter. Relates experiences and hopes of success in his effort to obtain the position of professor at the University.
About Charles Babbage's hopes for a position, and joint publication ventures.
Has heard from Charles Babbage that JH has sent him the article on hyposulfurous acid, but he has not in fact received it. Has seen Babbage a lot recently. Candidates for the Mathematical chair. Regarding colored rings in Carbonate of Potash. Has reserved his paper on Series for number 3.
Of Charles Babbage's visit, family news, and lawsuits.
Chastises JH for misbehavior along with Charles Babbage, discusses the parlous state of the country's affairs, expresses interest in the history of astronomy, and sends family news [letter completed 1819-10-8].
Regarding refraction in various crystals and comparison with Newton's tables. Suggests a joint paper on the subject. His parcel has never arrived. Is working on a paper on rotating phenomena.
Mr. Townley cannot get B.A. degree without attending one year at University and taking usual examinations. London papers greatly magnified disturbances. Things are peaceful now, but vigorous measures are needed to suppress 'dangerous Meetings.' Expects to enjoy Beckwiths' visit.
Thanks for letter. Would he send his paper to [William?] Blackwood. Thinks it only fair that JH's first paper on light should be written on his own, providing he acknowledges his discoveries. Comments on recent experiments. Who has written the article on polarization in the recent Edinburgh Review?
Has just returned from Edinburgh and found JH's letter awaiting him. Relates various experiences in Edinburgh. Recent discoveries in his chemical experiments.
Queries regarding the refraction of light in crystals.
Of Charles Babbage, family, public affairs, and law suits [letter completed 1819-11-15].
Was pleased to receive JH's farewell letter. Would be glad when JH was in town if he would call on Gordon's father and mother. Has left copies of the translation of the Memoir of Mr. De La Harpe. Gives an extract of a letter from Naples.
Has received his papers on hyposulfurous acid and Mother of Pearl. Comments regarding latter. Agreement necessary on nomenclature for light. His own and J. B. Biot's experiments on light. Would JH read his paper of 1818 and comment on it.
About the joint publication of JH, GP, and Charles Babbage, and Babbage not doing his part.
Thanks for letters. Regarding printing of his papers. Would like to propose him Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Biot's law. Much obliged for his opinion respecting E. L. Malus. Thanks for crystal of carbonate of lime. Comments on this.
Arrangements about a visit to Slough.