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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 grateful for his letter concerning the proposed professorship. Outlines some of the alterations he proposes to submit to the Council. Hopes to raise a subscription of £5,000 to £6,000. Offer a salary of £200 per annum. Encloses the newspaper articles.
Returns his interesting specimens. Has read his communication in the Physical and Chemical sections. Regarding the use of certain terms. Had long discussion with W. H. Fox Talbot on matters of Light. Has been offered a position at the Birmingham Institution. Is there any chance of obtaining a position in London?
Requests information from RS on the life of Francis Baily for a biographical sketch JH was asked to draw up for a special meeting of the R.A.S.]
Sends rough notes on Francis Baily's interests and works. Has not heard from W. S. Stratford lately.
Revising JB's Dictionary of the Peerage and Baronetage. Requests details of JH's family.
Does not think that RH would be satisfied with the position of Assistant Secretary of the R.S.L., as it is largely clerical, and would not allow much time for chemical or photographical experiments. JH is not aware whether there is a position available at the Royal Institution, but would be willing to speak to Michael Faraday.
Mr. Malby has obtained copyright of 36' globe and intends to lay down nebulae, also double stars. Is JH's work [on double stars] likely to be finished soon? Should wait for this work.
Received notes on omission of passage [1844-9-26] in good time. Asks JH to return proof of report. Regaining strength before going back to study Toronto volume.
Thanks for letter regarding equinoxes and solstices. Intends to work on physical phenomena of globe. Resumes meteorological observations. Awaits Cape Results.
Approves of proposal by A. T. Kupffer and Edward Sabine for international magnetic congress under JH's leadership. [Reply to JH's 1844-7-22 to HL.]
Discusses critically a theory put forth by J. C. Houzeau on the 'effect of aberration arising from proper motion in changing the apparent orbits of double stars.'
Gratefully accepts role as President Elect for 1845 B.A.A.S. meeting.
Offering JH an opportunity to buy a copy of a bust of Mary Somerville.
Responds to JH's 1844-7-28 about stiffening a vertical circle; comments on other astronomical matters.
JH appointed to a committee with G. B. Airy and William Stratford on the reduction of the calculations of N. L. Lacaille's stars.
JH, William Whewell, George Peacock, Humphrey Lloyd, and Edward Sabine are appointed by the B.A.A.S. to study systems of simultaneous magnetical and meteorological observations. They will be granted £50.
Requesting autographs for her niece.
Francis Baily contracted with RT to print N. L. Lacaille's catalog of stars and J. J. L. Lalande's Histoire céleste. Account was suspended after Baily's death until B.A.A.S. meeting in York approved its continuation. Requests £300 from JH, chairman of grant committee.
Critiques John Taylor's essay [see AW's 1844-9-26]. Views AW's position on currency measures as too vehement; urges caution. JH conceived similar plan years before. Gives reasons for disowning it. Protests JH's being painted as perpetrator of injustice simply because JH rejected AW's arguments.
Sent his letter of 2 Oct. to Woburn Place. Has since learned that RS moved to Reading. Requests again information on the life of Francis Baily, especially on Baily's pendulum experiments.