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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.
Has received a letter from [W. C.] Bond stating that Maria Mitchell observed the comet on 1 Oct., several days before it was seen by [Francesco] DeVico (3 Oct.) and by W. R. Dawes (7 Oct.). Proposes calling it 'Miss M. Mitchell's comet' and asks if JH has any objections. Knows DeVico will 'growl.'
The comet should bear Maria Mitchell's name. If [Francesco] DeVico 'grumbles,' RS could note that Madame Rümker also discovered the comet on [Oct] 3rd. 'What was there in it to attract the eyes of the female part of the creation so especially?'
Maria Mitchell 'shall have her due honor,' despite [Francesco] DeVico. Discusses problems with the R.A.S. awarding medals and honors, the loss to the R.A.S. of Francis Baily, and the issue of proposing foreign associates. Proposes a list of such to JH. Objects to DeVico, but is the head of a publishing observatory and has found comets. Urges caution in appointing Americans. On publishing R.A.S.M.N.
Likes RS's R.A.S. associate list. Must give the Americans a year or two more before it can be adequately ascertained who their top astronomers are. Sends a letter JH received from John Lubbock, who wants the opportunity in January to present new methods in perturbation theory. Responds to RS on the means of the R.A.S. recognizing significant contributions to astronomy.