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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.
Asks help in summarizing scientific labors of her late husband, Thomas Young, for memoir by Hudson Gurney. [Addressed to 'William Herschale, Esqr.']
Hopes to meet JH and [James] South in summer. Announces emperor's decision to support measurement of the 3.5° latitude meridian throughout the entire Russian empire. WS is responsible for directing work in the north. Emphasizes the importance of maintaining correct linear standards uniform with both France and England. Requests a copy of the English standard so as to compare it with the Russian measurements of degrees.
Plan for the comparison of the strengths of variously sized telescopes.
Reports circumstances surrounding death of a Mr. Beckwith, for whom JH serves as an executor.
Sending a letter he has received, and would like JH's opinion on it [probably about his telescope; see P. Barlow's 1830-3-14].
Regarding his forthcoming pamphlet and his attitudes to scientific societies. Sent him the wrong page of 'Sound.' Has just returned from Leicestershire. David Brewster sent a problem.
Outlining his scheme for the comparison of the strengths of various telescopes, which JH seems to have misunderstood.
Regarding his projected biography of Dr. Thomas Young. His own book on the decline of science is in the press. Regarding the life and manners of Dr. Young.
Mrs. Somerville cannot decide what to call her book [Mechanism of the Heavens]. Please advise so publishing can commence.
Accepts JH's invitation to visit next Thursday. Expecting IG's brother today.
Further remarks on Dr. Thomas Young and JH's projected biography. Has had a copy of a letter from J. F. Encke about an Astronomical Ephemeris for the Society for Promoting Useful Knowledge.
Has never seen the fair copy of William Herschel's polishing book. Will be pleased to assist Wilhelm Struve regarding the Standards. Will ask George Everest to call on him and discuss the Indian operations. How did Herschel perfect the adjustment of his object glass? Has been experimenting with the Josef Fraunhofer spots.
Further regarding his projected comparison of telescopes. Did not realize that JH was still working on double stars.
Appointment to an unnamed post. Is to meet John Lee to discuss the instruments; would JH like to join them?
Will be pleased to act as sponsor to JH's child. Could not stay as an inmate but will visit them from Windsor from Friday till Tuesday.
Has been laid up with a cold and unable to answer his letter. Congratulations on the new baby. Hopes mother and child are doing well. Will wait for confirmation of his son's marriage before sending the news to the papers.
Has had a letter from Henry Foster regarding his pendulum experiments at Ascension.
Requests advice in determining optimal time for visit to England. Thanks for invitation to Slough. Mentions completion of his sixth volume of observations, the introduction of which could prove interesting to JH. Fascinated by JH's observation of a sixth star in the trapezoid of Orion.
Sending two volumes of her Fishes and explaining the reason for the delay.
Takes a moment to write. Sends various brochures and observations on magnetic intensity in Germany. Asks JH to give a copy of it to [Charles] Babbage and [Henry] Kater. Congratulates JH on being named correspondent to the Institute of France. Lost his father-in-law. Has asked [James] South to press construction of AQ's instruments, but no luck. Requests JH visit Edward Troughton and the instruments.