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 the Astronomical Society secretary. Worries AR may have offended JH and requests guidance. Describes performance of his telescope.
Proposes to send telescope to JH to have a new lens made. Desires JH's opinion of the telescope's utility. Is hesitant to join Astronomical Society.
Thinks his telescope was not well executed. Would be pleased if James South tried another. Advises how to improve performance of telescope.
Anxious to hear the opinion of his telescope. Notices best resolution with a 3.5-inch aperture. Also, distinctness is best with correcting lenses in certain diametric position.
Discusses further adjustments for the telescope. If JH returns to England soon, AR will come to Slough with the telescope.
Requesting the opinion of JH's late father on the nebulae in Orion.
Is grateful for his letter and also for sending the regulations of the Astronomical Society on which he sees the names of many distinguished men. Accepts with gratitude the offer of his book.
Thanks for the letter informing him that he was elected corresponding member of the Astronomical Society. Comments on the prize questions. Gives details of his astronomical publications.
Would like to know when he can call on the Herschels.
Thanks for his election to the Astronomical Society. Gives details of his recent activities and those of M. A. Pictet.
Sending 3 copies of a paper for his personal use and the Astronomical Society. Is grateful for the interest JH takes in his own work. Outlines recent astronomical activities of himself and M. A. Pictet. Intends visiting England.
Is about to leave for England with Alphonse de Candolle. Gives news of his latest astronomical observations. Lists people he has met or hopes to meet.
Thanking him for sending two volumes. Regarding recent experiments with electricity.
Has received the new observations. Expresses his gratitude on being nominated as a Foreign Member of the R.S.L. Further regarding his experiments with electricity and magnetism.
Writes to JH (AK's uncle) for the first time, asking for news. Recalls JH's visit to Hanover. Comments on the respect in the world for JH. Appears to be intending to accompany her husband to England for a business trip.
Invitation to JH to meet some friends of AL's.
Hopes that JH will apply for the vacant position at the University.
Missed JH at the R.S.L. meeting. Has some experiments on which he seeks JH's opinion regarding presentation at the Society. Enclosing report.
Thanks for Regulations of the Astronomical Society. Is honored on being elected a member. Gives details of Theory of the Moon by G. A. Plana; also sends one of his own works, Elementi di trigonometria sferoidica.
Greetings to Mr. and Mrs. Herschel.