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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.
Is gratified that JM is taking an interest in double stars. Comments on some of the observations and time of their orbits.
Is applying for vacant professorial chair in astronomy. Wants testimonial from JH in his support. Attached note of JH is negative in this regard.
Plans to calculate Gamma Virginis orbit. Received WS paper on astronomical observations. Suggests WS look for a house in Kent after learning plans to move near London.
Gives the parallaxes of a few southern stars obtained from his own mural circle. Has sent his memoir on Alpha Centauri to the R.A.S.
Would like to know the composition of the fluid in JH's actinometers.
Observations on double stars.
Instructions for preparing liquid for the actinometer. Describes 'very strange' experiments on the spectrum as well as an 'unusual' cloud formation.
Sends GA a spectrum photograph, and explains how JH obtained it.
Sends all his observations of Alpha Virginis. Has not done much to this recently. Regarding JH's observations of the fifth and sixth stars in Trapizio. Has informed James Challis of William Lassell's observations.
Sends JH samples of his calotypes. Off to Germany on a photographic expedition.
[JH's outline of letter] Compares Wilmot's actinometer observations with JH's. Acknowledges receipt of St. Helena specimens.
Impressed by accuracy of actinometer measurements made by JK, Joseph Dayman, and P. A. Scott from Feb. to Sept. 1841 at JK's observatory at Rossbank [Tasmania]. Suggests methods to improve readings and simplify reductions.
Returns photographs of spectrum, with observations on the results.
Thanks for calotypes involving persons engaged in actions. Gives encouragement to WT's planned photographic tour in Germany. JH has been experimenting regarding color photography.
Urged by G. B. Airy, ES withdraws earlier letter to JH and encloses letter with ES's opinions regarding continuance of [magnetic and meteorological] observations.
Sends GA two more spectrum photographs [see JH's 1842-4-10], and believes that these may lead the way to color photography.
Sends several samples of ferrocyanide JH had requested.
Returning photographs, with observations. Regarding the transport of loads in hilly country. Remarks on the transcription and pronunciation of foreign languages.
Stresses importance of development and phases of periodic phenomena on earth's surface. Magnitudes of stars are the only observations JH is doing. Asks for help in planning trip on continent for three of his daughters and their governess.
Still pursuing vacant professorial chair in astronomy. Wants JH's testimonial. Sends his qualifications and description of recent activities in astronomy.