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.
Sad that MH's health is poor while facing 'deplorable affair' with MH's mother. JH's strength has returned. University Commission concluded its report this week. Attended Lady Bryant's dinner, met E. M. [Eneas Mackintosh?], who considers 'it all arranged.'
Sends final edition of report by Cambridge University Commissioners, who will meet on 30 Aug. to sign it.
Comments on astronomical discoveries, and depressing life in London.
Describes [G. H.] Gordon, who visited JH at Mint yesterday. Sends copy of University Commission report. Recounts struggle between Adam Sedgwick and George Peacock over report's conclusions.
The job [of sorting Francis Baily's correspondence] may be done at leisure. All his family are at Herne Bay. Regarding chronology. Annibal De Gasparis will be equal with J. R. Hind when he locates another planet. Is astonished how well books last.
Dispute over seniority between R. F. Suft and Mr. Cumberland. Neither of these junior clerks qualifies for vacancy of senior clerk, who should be competent to stand in during comptroller's absence. Ask W. H. Barton for recommendations.