Correspondence map
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Charles Wheatstone
John Frederick William Herschel
John Frederick William Herschel invents the actinometer to measure the heating power of the Sun’s rays
1825
Autograph letter signed by sender, with annotations by recipient. Appreciates John Frederick William Herschel's interest in and encouragement of Charles Wheatstone's experiments. Describes new experiments to elucidate theory of undulatory motion of sound and light. Invented 'kaleidophone' to display paths of vibrating rods. Hopes John Frederick William Herschel can confirm these results.
23 August 1825 Sender: Charles Wheatstone Reference number: HS/18/144
1826
John Frederick William Herschel publishes in the Philosophical Transactions
1826:
John Frederick William Herschel publishes “On the parallax of the fixed stars”.
1827
Joseph Nicéphore Niépce presents his photographs in England for the first time
1827
1829
John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart are married in London
3 March 1829
1830
John Frederick William Herschel is elected Foreign correspondent of the Académie des sciences
1830
Birth of Caroline Emilia Mary Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
31 March 1830
John Frederick William Herschel is nominated for the presidency of the Royal Society, loses by 8 votes to the Duke of Sussex
30 November 1830
1831
Mary Somerville publishes Mechanism of the Heavens
1831
Sir John Herschel is created Knight of the Royal Hanoverian Guelphic Order
1831
Sir John Herschel publishes Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy as part of Dionysius Lardner’s Cabinet Cyclopaedia.
1831
Birth of Isabella Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
5 June 1831
1833
Sir John Herschel receives the Royal Medal from the Royal Society
1833:
The Medal is awarded "For his paper on nebulae and clusters of stars, published in the Philosophical Transactions for 1833."
Sir John Herschel publishes A treatise on astronomy as part of Dionysius Lardner’s Cabinet Cyclopaedia.
1833
Birth of William James Herschel, son of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1833
Sir John Herschel departs for South Africa with his wife and their three children
13 November 1833
Autograph letter signed by sender. Accepts John Frederick William Herschel's invitation to demonstrate [on 28 Aug.] Charles Wheatstone's portable optical and acoustical experiments and the 'whirling machine.' Asks John Frederick William Herschel to supply 'an electrical machine and a good sized jar.' Encloses copy of Charles Wheatstone's paper on Jew's harp. Will bring another paper and new 'Symphonion' for Mary Herschel.
23 August 1833 Sender: Charles Wheatstone Reference number: HS/18/145
Copy of a letter, damaged. Invites Charles Wheatstone to Slough to demonstrate Charles Wheatstone's 'elegant experiments on light and sound.' Will need time to get John Frederick William Herschel's electric machine in order. Asks for copy of Charles Wheatstone's paper on Jew's harp.
21 August 1833 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/146
1834
Birth of Margaret Louisa Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1834
1835
Sir John Herschel serves as President of the Literary and Philosophical Society of the Cape of Good Hope
1835
Halley’s comet becomes visible
28 November 1835
Autograph letter signed by sender. Returns Mary Herschel's repaired concertina. Sends Charles Wheatstone's recent paper on velocity of electricity [Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society 124 (1834)]. Electrical experiments Charles Wheatstone is planning. Appointed professor of experimental philosophy at King's College.
13 May 1835 Sender: Charles Wheatstone Reference number: HS/18/146
Contemporary copy in sender's hand, signed by sender. Comments on Charles Wheatstone's work on light and on the velocity of electricity. John Frederick William Herschel's ruminations lead him to the idea of motion pictures.
8 September 1835 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/4/14
Copy of letter, copied by Robert Sabine [Charles Wheatstone's son-in-law] as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Checked by Isabella Herschel in 1876. Comments on Charles Wheatstone's work on light and on the velocity of electricity. John Frederick William Herschel's ruminations lead him to the idea of motion pictures.
8 September 1835 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/11/1
1836
Birth of Alexander Stewart Herschel, son of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
5 February 1836
1837
Victoria becomes Queen of the United Kingdom
20 June 1837
Birth of John Herschel, son of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
29 October 1837
1838
Sir John Herschel returns from South Africa
1838: A banquet in presence of Queen Victoria is given to celebrate his return to Britain and made a Baronet.
Copy of letter, copied by Robert Sabine [Charles Wheatstone's son-in-law] as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Checked by Isabella Herschel in 1876. Arranges a meeting with Charles Wheatstone and Edward Sabine to prepare a report on magnetic proposals.
21 December 1838 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/11/2
1839
Sir John Herschel serves his first term as President of the Royal Astronomical Society
1839: to 1841
Birth of Maria Sophia Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1839
William Henry Fox Talbot presents his paper-based photographic process at the Royal Society
1839
Autograph letter signed by sender. Invites John Frederick William Herschel to Kew Green to see Francis Bauer's plates etched by J. N. Niepce's photographic process. Perhaps L. J. M. Daguerre assumes more credit than is due. Heard Niepce visited London in 1826, but his paper was rejected by Royal Society [of London] at W. H. Wollaston's urging.
25 February 1839 Sender: Charles Wheatstone Reference number: HS/18/147
Copy of letter, copied by Robert Sabine [Charles Wheatstone's son-in-law] as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Checked by Isabella Herschel in 1876. Too ill to attend a demonstration by Charles Wheatstone of one of Charles Wheatstone's instruments [?].
1839? Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/11/12
1840
Sir John Herschel publishes in the Philosophical Transactions
1840: Sir John Herschel publishes “On the chemical action of the rays of the solar spectrum on preparations of silver and other substances, both metallic and non-metallic; and on some photographic processes”
1841
Sir Robert Peel becomes Prime Minister
1841
Birth of Amelia Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1841
Copy of letter, copied by Robert Sabine [Charles Wheatstone's son-in-law] as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Checked by Isabella Herschel in 1876. Arranges a meeting with Charles Wheatstone and Edward Sabine to discuss Kew [magnetic] observations.
9 December 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/11/3
1842
Birth of Julia Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1842
Sir John Herschel publishes in the Philosophical Transactions
1842: Sir John Herschel publishes “On the action of the rays of the solar spectrum on vegetable colours, and on some new photographic processes”
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses B.A.A.S. statement of objectives for Richmond Observatory, for which B.A.A.S. Council asks John Frederick William Herschel to organize goals and support annual subsidy.
13 June 1842 Sender: Charles Wheatstone Reference number: HS/18/148
Contemporary copy in sender's hand, signed by sender. Received prospectus of Kew observatory. Its objectives seem incompatible. It appears better suited as experimental institution. Refer Francis Beaufort to John Frederick William Herschel's 11 Oct. 1835 letter to Beaufort defining physical observatories.
17 June 1842 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/18/149
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Received prospectus of Kew observatory. Its objectives seem incompatible. It appears better suited as experimental institution. Refer Francis Beaufort to John Frederick William Herschel's 11 Oct. 1835 letter to Beaufort defining physical observatories.
17 June 1842 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/125
Copy of letter, copied by Robert Sabine [Charles Wheatstone's son-in-law] as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Checked by Isabella Herschel in 1876. Sends Charles Wheatstone a specimen of John Frederick William Herschel's 'mercurial photographic process.' John Frederick William Herschel is pleased that W. H. Fox Talbot received the Rumford medal.
4 December 1842 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/11/4
1844
Birth of Matilda Rose Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1844
1845
Sir John Herschel serves as President of the British Association
1845
Autograph letter signed by sender. Agrees that vacancy in chemistry professorship left by J. F. Daniell's death at King's College should be filled by Robert Hunt, but W. A. Miller appears likely to get job.
22 March 1845 Sender: Charles Wheatstone Reference number: HS/18/150
Copy of letter, copied by Robert Sabine [Charles Wheatstone's son-in-law] as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Checked by Isabella Herschel in 1876. Recommends Robert Hunt to fill the professorship at King's College, left vacant by the death of John F. Daniell.
20 March 1845 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/11/5
Copy of letter, copied by Robert Sabine [Charles Wheatstone's son-in-law] as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Checked by Isabella Herschel in 1876. The continuation of magnetic and meteorological observatories is under question, and Charles Wheatstone's instrument for observing atmospheric electricity should be part of the discussion.
6 April 1845 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/11/6
Copy of letter, copied by Robert Sabine [Charles Wheatstone's son-in-law] as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Checked by Isabella Herschel in 1876. Makes some amendments in John Frederick William Herschel's request for information [see John Frederick William Herschel's 1845-4-6].
15 April 1845 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/11/7
1846
Birth of Francisca Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1846
Sir John Herschel serves his second term as Foreign Secretary of the Royal Astronomical Society
1846: To 1847
Autograph letter signed by sender. Gives John Frederick William Herschel directions to Kew Observatory.
30 April 1846 Sender: Charles Wheatstone Reference number: HS/18/151
1847
Sir John Herschel serves his second term as President of the Royal Astronomical Society
1847: Until 1849
Sir John Herschel receives the Copley Medal
1847: Sir John Herschel receives the Copley Medal of the Royal Society "For his work entitled Results of Astronomical Observations made during the years 1834, 1835, 1836, 1837 and 1838, at the Cape of Good Hope; being a completion of a telescopic survey of the whole surface of the visible heavens, commenced in 1825"
Sir John Herschel publishes a paper
1847: Sir John Herschel publishes Results of astronomical observations made during the years 1834, 5, 6, 7, 8, at the Cape of Good Hope; being a completion of a telescopic survey of the whole surface of the visible heavens, commenced in 1825.
Autograph letter signed by sender, with annotations by recipient. [George Eden] Lord Auckland seeks meteorological 'reports.' Charles Wheatstone will contribute instructions on atmospheric electricity, photometry, and optical meteorology. W. R. Birt will report on meteorological instruments and wind observations.
28 December 1847 Sender: Charles Wheatstone Reference number: HS/18/152
1848
The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood is formed, by John Everett Millais, Dante Gabriel Rosetti and others
1848
Napoleon III is elected first President of France
20 December 1848
Autograph letter signed by sender. Seriously ill. Will forward manuscripts to John Frederick William Herschel by next week.
26 February 1848 Sender: Charles Wheatstone Reference number: HS/18/153
Autograph letter signed by sender. Royal Society [of London] Physical Committee considering giving Copley medal to W. E. Weber for work in electromagnetism. Does John Frederick William Herschel concur? Other candidates are F. E. Neumann or A.L. Cauchy in physical optics, and Michael Faraday on condensation of gases. Rumford medal was awarded to H. V. Regnault for work on steam engine.
10 November 1848 Sender: Charles Wheatstone Reference number: HS/18/154
Copy of letter, copied by Robert Sabine [Charles Wheatstone's son-in-law] as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Checked by Isabella Herschel in 1876. Asks for Charles Wheatstone's contribution to the Admiralty's scientific manual.
9 April 1848 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/11/8
Copy of letter, copied by Robert Sabine [Charles Wheatstone's son-in-law] as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Checked by Isabella Herschel in 1876. Strongly supports W. E. Weber as the best candidate for the receipt of the Rumford Medal [see Charles Wheatstone's 1849-11-10].
12 November 1848 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/11/9
1849
Sir John Herschel publishes Outlines of Astronomy.
1849
Autograph letter signed by sender. Will visit John Frederick William Herschel next week. Describes machine Charles Wheatstone will bring to illustrate undulatory theory of light.
30 June 1849 Sender: Charles Wheatstone Reference number: HS/18/155
Autograph letter signed by sender. Lists seven French and German works [1837-1847] on optical science. Comments on one. Quotes copyright law on reproducing passages from these.
26 July 1849 Sender: Charles Wheatstone Reference number: HS/18/156
Copy of letter, copied by Robert Sabine [Charles Wheatstone's son-in-law] as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Checked by Isabella Herschel in 1876. Invites Charles Wheatstone to come out to Collingwood next week when some other friends are coming, too.
29 June 1849 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/11/10