Correspondence map
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Francis Beaufort
John Frederick William Herschel
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses account of an explosion against the side of the Royal George, which he first showed to Gilbert Elliot (2nd Earl of Minto). Presents Mrs. Beaufort's best wishes to Margaret Brodie Herschel.
19th century Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/410
1812
Charles Babbage, John Frederick William Herschel and George Peacock found the Analytical Society
3 March 1812
John Frederick William Herschel presents his first scientific paper
12 November 1812:
John Frederick William Herschel communicates a paper on Cote’s theorem to the Royal Society
1813
John Frederick William Herschel graduates Senior Wrangler at St John’s College, Cambridge
1813
John Frederick William Herschel is elected Fellow of the Royal Society
27 May 1813
1815
John Frederick William Herschel begins as sub-lector at St. John's College, Cambridge
1 May 1815
1816
John Frederick William Herschel is awarded Master of Arts (MA), at the University of Cambridge
30 January 1816
John Frederick William Herschel starts astronomical work alongside his father Sir William Herschel FRS
1816
1818
Mary Shelley publishes Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus
1818
1819
John Frederick William Herschel serves on the Board of Longitude
1819
1820
John Frederick William Herschel publishes in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society.
1820: John Frederick William Herschel publishes “On the action of crystallized bodies on homogeneous light, and on the causes of the deviation from Newton's scale in the tints which many of them develope on exposure to a polarised ray” .
John Frederick William Herschel serves his first term as Foreign Secretary of the Royal Astronomical Society
1820
1821
John Frederick William Herschel and Charles Babbage travel through France to Italy and Switzerland.
1821
John Frederick William Herschel publishes in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society.
1821:
John Frederick William Herschel publishes “On the aberrations of compound lenses and object-glasses" in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society.
John Frederick William Herschel receives the Copley Medal of the Royal Society for his papers printed in the Philosophical Transactions
1821
1822
Death of Sir William Herschel FRS
25 August 1822
1823
John Frederick William Herschel receives the Bakerian Medal of the Royal Society.
1823:
John Frederick William Herschel gives the Bakerian lecture “On certain Motions produced in Fluid Conductors when transmitting the Electric Current”.
1824
John Frederick William Herschel moves to 56 Devonshire St., Portland Place, London
1824
John Frederick William Herschel serves as Secretary of the Royal Society
30 November 1824
1825
John Frederick William Herschel invents the actinometer to measure the heating power of the Sun’s rays
1825
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
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Informs Francis Beaufort that it is John Frederick William Herschel's intention to resign as secretary of the R.S.L. at the next anniversary meeting.
27 June 1827 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/256
1828
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding Richard Taylor the printer and the printing of the papers of the Royal Astronomical Society
20 July 1828 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/312
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding the climate in Northern Australia.
19 November 1828 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/313
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. [Richard] Taylor is very anxious that the Astronomical Society reconsider its decision to discontinue his services as printer of the Society's publications. Suggests presentation of a gift to William Stratford for his services as secretary of the Astronomical Society.
11 July 1828 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/15
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
Autograph letter signed by sender. Commander Richard Copeland wishes to be remembered to him. Sends his own congratulations to Mrs. Herschel (Margaret).
3 February 1830 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/314
Autograph letter signed by sender. Appointment to an unnamed post. Is to meet John Lee to discuss the instruments; would John Frederick William Herschel like to join them?
9 April 1830 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/315
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has had a letter from Henry Foster regarding his pendulum experiments at Ascension.
1 May 1830 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/316
Copy letter in John Herschel's hand. With great reluctance due to his plans for the future, John Frederick William Herschel agrees to let his name stand in nomination for the Presidency of the R.S.L.
26 November 1830 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/1/13
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
Autograph letter signed by sender. Thanks for his comments on the Nautical Almanac in relation to the report of the Board of Visitors. W. S. Stratford and his appointment to the Nautical Almanac.
7 March 1831 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/317
Autograph letter signed by sender. Would like his opinion regarding a matter concerning [Stephen] Groombridge's catalogue. Would he care to write the preface?
25 August 1831 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/318
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is much obliged for his advice regarding [Stephen] Groombridge's catalogue. Will send him the proof sheets as available. Has he seen Gerard Moll's Decline of Science in England?
2 September 1831 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/319
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is grateful for his observations on the method of printing [Stephen] Groombridge's catalogue. Fearon Fallows is seriously ill; does John Frederick William Herschel know of a suitable successor?
9 September 1831 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/320
Autograph letter signed by sender. His views on a successor to the Cape Astronomer.
24 September 1831 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/321
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is sending the first sheet of [Stephen] Groombridge's catalogue. Regarding the costs of printing this catalogue. Fearon Fallows has died and Thomas Henderson has been appointed in his place. Congratulations on John Frederick William Herschel's knighthood.
15 October 1831 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/322
Contemporary copy of extract from a reply, in Herschel's hand. Annotated "reply to letter of Oct. 15th to Capt. F. Beaufort". Is returning the proof of [Stephen] Groombridge's catalogue. Comments on the expense of printing it. Is pleased that Thomas Henderson has been appointed Cape Astronomer.
October 1831 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/322a
Autograph letter signed by sender. Would like his comments on the instructions for the new Cape Astronomer.
17 December 1831 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/323
Contemporary copy letter in Herschel's hand. Comments on the instructions for the Cape Astronomer and adds some of his own.
December 1831 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/323a
Autograph letter signed by sender. Thanks for his comments on the Instructions for the newly appointed Cape Astronomer. Is sorry to hear of the failing health of his mother.
21 December 1831 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/324
Contemporary copy in sender's hand, signed by sender. Remarks by John Frederick William Herschel on proof sheet of Henry Taylor's catalog of circumpolar stars observed by Stephen Groombridge. Why is Gerard Moll, a foreigner, engaged in purely English controversy? John Frederick William Herschel wants no part of Charles Babbage and James South in this matter. Regrets John Frederick William Herschel's earlier statements. Sends extract from [Richard] Copeland's letter.
5 September 1831 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/19/174
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Remarks by John Frederick William Herschel on proof sheet of Henry Taylor's catalog of circumpolar stars observed by Stephen Groombridge. Why is Gerard Moll, a foreigner, engaged in purely English controversy? John Frederick William Herschel wants no part of Charles Babbage and James South in this matter. Regrets John Frederick William Herschel's earlier statements. Sends extract from [Richard] Copeland's letter.
5 September 1831 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/88
Copy of draft letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Is returning the proof of [Stephen] Groombridge's catalogue. Comments on the expense of printing it. Is pleased that Thomas Henderson has been appointed Cape Astronomer.
October 1831 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/92
Copy of a letter. Responds to Francis Beaufort's request for advice regarding instructions for Thomas Henderson upon taking the position at the Cape Observatory. Suggests Henderson supervise tidal observations, but not get involved in measurement of arc of meridian. Hopes to see Henderson before his departure, but John Frederick William Herschel's mother now gravely ill.
1831-12-18 or later Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/94
Contemporary copy in sender's hand, signed by sender. Expresses his views to Francis Beaufort about the meeting of the Admiralty, Greenwich Observatory, [and members of the Astronomical Society?] held the previous day.
5 March 1831 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/1/31
Contemporary copy in sender's hand, signed by sender. In reply to Francis Beaufort [see Francis Beaufort's 1831-8-25], John Frederick William Herschel believes that [Henry] Taylor, the person who had done all the reductions of the observations [Stephen] Groombridge's catalogue, should be asked to write the preface, both by reason of his familiarity with the material, as well as having earned the right to do so.
29 August 1831 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/2/15
Contemporary copy in sender's hand, signed by sender. Grieved to hear of Fearon Fallows broken state of health; in response to Francis Beaufort's request, John Frederick William Herschel reviews a number of possible candidates to succeed Fallows.
13 September 1831 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/2/19
Contemporary copy in sender's hand, signed by sender. Expresses John Frederick William Herschel's preferences with respect to the appointment of the Cape Observatory astronomer in terms of the choices available [Follow-up letter to John Frederick William Herschel's 1831-9-13].
30 September 1831 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/2/23
1832
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has asked Thomas Henderson to inform John Frederick William Herschel of his movements so that they can meet one another.
2 January 1832 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/325
Autograph letter signed by sender. Would like his opinion on a political matter viz disenfranchising of boroughs.
10 January 1832 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/326
Contemporary copy letter in Herschel's hand. Annotated in pencil by Herschel: "written & dispatched Jan 12 1832 PS written and separately dispatched Jan 13 1832, see diary for 1832". Responds to Francis Beaufort's request for advice on a political document prepared by Thomas Drummond analyzing parliamentary representation and taxation in mathematical terms.
13 January 1832 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/326a
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding instructions for James Dunlop at Parramatta Observatory. Richard Copeland has been reappointed to the Meteor, now renamed Beacon.
May 1832 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/327
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is sending letters from Thomas Henderson, the Cape Astronomer, also observations from St. Helena.
21 May 1832 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/328
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sending letter for him which was delivered to the Admiralty. Has had a letter from James South who is pleased with his reception in Copenhagen.
14 August 1832 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/329
Copy of draft letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Responds to Francis Beaufort's request for advice on a political document prepared by Thomas Drummond analyzing parliamentary representation and taxation in mathematical terms.
13 January 1832 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/100
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. Passing on E. J. Cooper's information that he has found a new star. Congratulations on another addition to the family.
16 January 1833 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/330
Autograph letter signed by sender. Unable to help him as Richardson's Brisbane Observations have not yet come to hand. Feels the same as John Frederick William Herschel does regarding the presentation of the true colors of his parents.
1 March 1833 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/331
Autograph letter signed by sender. Would like his opinion on the enclosed plan regarding chronometers.
11 June 1833 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/332
Draft letter. Answer to Francis Beaufort's queries regarding chronometers.
June 1833 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/332a
Autograph letter signed by sender. Offering assistance for John Frederick William Herschel's forthcoming voyage to the Cape.
September 1833 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/333
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has found a cheap passage for Thomas Maclear. Has John Frederick William Herschel anything that Maclear can do for him?
21 September 1833 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/334
Autograph letter signed by sender. Will be pleased to distribute his papers. Has he made any arrangements for forwarding of his letters? If not, can he do this for him?
25 September 1833 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/335
Autograph letter signed by sender. Called on him yesterday to tell him that [Robert?] Maconochie has a copy of a work that John Frederick William Herschel wants and he would most likely let him have it.
14 October 1833 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/336
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has laid John Frederick William Herschel's letter about the Cape expedition before the Board. Captain J. C. Ross has arrived safely.
21 October 1833 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/337
Copy of draft letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Answer to Francis Beaufort's queries regarding chronometers.
June 1833 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/138
1834
Birth of Margaret Louisa Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1834
Autograph letter signed by sender. Thanks for the packet of letters. Thomas Henderson has been appointed to the Edinburgh Observatory. Richardson has just completed Brisbane's Catalogue of Southern Stars. Has observed a fortnight's tides for William Whewell.
5 July 1834 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/338
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. John Frederick William Herschel's last letter has given him great pleasure. Thanks for his hints about observations. The instruments at St. Helena Observatory. Payment of carriage on books sent abroad. Difficulties over the printing of the Cape observations. [François] Arago has sent him a paper on [John] Brinkley. Progress with the triangulation of the U.S.A.
5 January 1835 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/339
Autograph letter signed by sender. Believes that the copies of the Nautical Almanac he sent him have gone astray. Is sending him the sheets of the Parramatta catalogue.
25 January 1835 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/340
Autograph letter signed by sender. Intends to dispatch a parcel of books to John Frederick William Herschel and has he anything he would like to include in the parcel?
12 February 1835 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/341
Autograph letter signed by sender. Thanks him for his letter of sympathy. Gives news of financial awards made, and forthcoming to Mary Somerville, W. S. Stratford, and Michael Faraday.
11 April 1835 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/342
Autograph letter signed by sender. The Series of Brisbane catalogues has been interrupted. Regarding the appointment of a new Astronomer Royal. Reprint of one of John Frederick William Herschel's papers. Various scientific news.
21 July 1835 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/343
Contemporary copy letter, described as sketch, in Herschel's hand written over a letter from a Major Gregory. Has received numerous letters and parcels safely. Is starting reducing his sweeps and hoping to have the work progressed enough that publication ought to be a speedy process once in London. Comments on the various functions of observatories to set standards and reference points, that magnetic, meteorological and tidal information should also be taken. News and gossip of scientific events at the Cape, London and various expeditions in progress throughout the letter. Part of the letters are extent copies from the one sent, others notes and summaries.
11 October 1835 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/343a
Copy of draft letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Has received the letters and parcels safely. Is starting reducing his sweeps. Observations in Dublin Observatory. Comments on the various functions of observatories. News of scientific events at the Cape and various expeditions in progress.
11 October 1835 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/188
1836
Birth of Alexander Stewart Herschel, son of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
5 February 1836
Autograph letter signed by sender. Unable to send the Parramatta observations as the vessel is leaving too soon. Has just returned from a meeting to consider [William?] Ritchie's new optical glasses. George Dollond speaks well of them.
20 February 1836 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/344
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses Annual Report of the Royal Astronomical Society Hopes he has been amused by the French pamphlets on John Frederick William Herschel's discoveries relating to the moon. Capt. George Back will be proceeding this year in the Terror to investigate the discoveries of J. C. Ross and John Franklin on the N. coast of America. Read John Frederick William Herschel's last note about the comet to the Society [the Royal Astronomical Society?].
12 April 1836 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/345
Autograph letter signed by sender. Received his last letter regarding Alpha Virginis in time to read it at the council. Has sent him all Stratford's Ephemerides. Regarding the sounding of the Brazil Banks. Back goes to Wager River the first week in June.
13 May 1836 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/346
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is enclosing some accounts of the eclipse of the sun. The St. Helena instruments have arrived. Some observations are going to be made in Upper Canada. G. B. Airy proposes some extensive magnetic observations at Greenwich. Is going to Greenwich to see and plan extension to the observatory.
11 June 1836 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/347
Autograph letter signed by sender. Basil Hall has just brought in the accompanying work of J. B. Biot. Sends another batch of Met. Obs. Is pleased with the success of John Frederick William Herschel's lunar discoveries.
30 June 1836 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/348
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is sending Captain W. F. Owen's Quarterly Meteorological statement.
21 July 1836 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/349
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is sending a paper which has barometrical information of interest. Comments on sea and atmospheric pressure. William Whewell and J. W. Lubbock are working on the tides.
2 September 1836 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/350
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sending the meteorological reports. Hopes John Frederick William Herschel will let him know when to cease sending them. William Whewell has produced an interesting instrument. The sensation at the B.A.A.S. meeting was the manufacture of diamonds by a Frenchman.
15 September 1836 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/351
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
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sending more barometric observations. Interesting articles by S. D. Poisson and D. F. J. Arago. Peculiar crimson light seen in the sky recently. The 'Beagle' will sail in May and will call on John Frederick William Herschel.
23 February 1837 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/352
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is sending him a letter of Basil Hall. William Whewell is preparing another paper on the tides and is hoping for data from John Frederick William Herschel when he returns. Hears that John Frederick William Herschel will be home in June. Looks forward to seeing him again.
18 December 1837 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/353
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.
Autograph letter signed by sender. Thursday will suit Charles Wood and Francis Beaufort is writing to G. B. Airy to meet John Frederick William Herschel in (Francis Beaufort's) room.
4 June 1838 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/354
Autograph letter signed by sender. The Admiralty would like John Frederick William Herschel's opinion regarding the observatory at Mauritius and any suggestions for its improvement.
22 June 1838 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/355
Draft "of semiofficial" letter. Fulfills request for advice on the operation of the Cape Observatory. Urges, among other points, that Thomas Maclear be given a second assistant and an improved telescope and that the observatory be assigned to undertake tidal, meteorological, and magnetic observations.
29 June 1838 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/355a
Autograph letter signed by sender. Many thanks for his report on the Cape Observatory, which he will lay before the Lords of the Admiralty. Also thanks for the promised opinion on the Mauritius Observatory.
30 June 1838 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/356
Autograph letter signed by sender. Forwarding a letter from C. P. Smyth and a batch of observations from J. A. Lloyd, who intends to visit England next Spring.
15 October 1838 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/357
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has prepared a room for him and Edward Sabine to discuss Australian affairs on Tuesday next.
1 November 1838 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/358
Autograph letter signed by sender. Thanks for the congratulations. News of his daughter's marriage. Mrs. Beaufort would like to renew her acquaintance at some future date.
21 November 1838 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/359
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is sending him the plans and report of Klip Fonteyn [?]. He will forward them later to the Astronomer Royal.
22 December 1838 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/361
Autographed draft letter, signed or initialed by sender. Admiralty wants to adapt observatory at Mauritius for rating ship chronometers in southern hemisphere. Rigorous attention to time determination would benefit meteorological, hydrographic, and astronomical observations, making Mauritius 'a National Center of Reference' for global research.
22 July 1838 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/19/74
Copy of a letter. Responds to request for advice on operation of the observatory established at Mauritius by John A. Lloyd. Urges it can profitably make meteorological observations and positional determinations for southern stars. Stresses the need for prompt reduction of observations.
1838-6-23 or later Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/249
Copy of draft letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Fulfills request for advice on the operation of the Cape Observatory. Urges, among other points, that Thomas Maclear be given a second assistant and an improved telescope and that the observatory be assigned to undertake tidal, meteorological, and magnetic observations.
29 June 1838 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/253
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. Has mentioned to Dr. T. R. Robinson their hopes of supplying the Cape Observatory with an equatorial telescope and theodolite. Encloses Robinson's comments. George Dollond would take two years to mount such a telescope. Curious paper in the Comptes rendus.
23 January 1839 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/362
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has been requested in confidence to ascertain whether John Frederick William Herschel would be interested in accepting the Savilian professorship and the Radcliffe Observatory.
28 March 1839 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/363
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses two meteorological reports of J. A. Lloyd (who has been ill with fever), and a paper of Dr. T. R. Robinson.
20 July 1839 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/364
Autograph letter signed by sender. Would like his opinion on whether an officer should be sent to the Cape to be in charge of the compensation bars sent there recently by the Board of Ordnance.
30 July 1839 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/365
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sending a letter of Basil Hall's, which please return when he has read it.
30 August 1839 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/366
Autograph letter signed by sender. Thomas Maclear has sent him another Cape meteorite. Believes that John Frederick William Herschel gave part of a meteorite to the B.M. so does not see why this one should be sent there.
10 November 1839 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/367
Autograph letter signed by sender. Enclosing a page and a drawing, which may be of interest to him. Best wishes for Christmas.
24 December 1839 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/368
Autograph letter signed by sender. Inquires about appropriate person to add to the Cape Observatory staff, if Francis Beaufort can persuade the Admiralty of the need. Thanks John Frederick William Herschel for his comments on chloride of silver; were much better than W. H. F. Talbot's.
1 February 1839 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/404
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is grateful for the information on photography. Encloses president's card.
1 March 1839? Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/405
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is pleased to hear that John Frederick William Herschel has taken steps to avoid the carelessness at the Post Office. Sends original of R. W. Fox's paper.
5 March 1839 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/406
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is dismayed that Thomas Maclear is unable to obtain manual assistance at the Cape for the compensating bars. Bars were shipped on Friday. Next time John Frederick William Herschel passes the Admiralty he will show him the debris of the actinometer.
22 July 1839 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/407
Autograph letter signed by sender. On Friday the compensating bars will be embarked for the Cape; William Mann will be in charge of them at the Tower. Dr. T. R. Robinson is anxious to have some of the instruments from the Kew Observatory; does John Frederick William Herschel know how they may be obtained? Regarding an actinometer made by Robinson.
17 July 1839 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/408
Autograph letter signed by sender. Enclosing letters from Thomas Maclear so that he may see all he says about his meteorites. Will keep the meteorite until he tells him what to do with it.
13 September 1839 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/409
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”
Autograph letter signed by sender. Thanks for sending him the requiem.
7 January 1840 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/369
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sending him the last Comptes rendus that can go by post. Hopes he can arrange some other method. Is always pleased to receive his publications.
9 January 1840 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/370
Autograph letter signed by sender. Apologizing for the delay. Sends various map locations. Also extract from Captain F. W. Beechy's letter regarding magnetic operations.
21 December 1840 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/403
1841
Sir Robert Peel becomes Prime Minister
1841
Birth of Amelia Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1841
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is preparing an estimate for Parliament and would like his views on the usefulness of re-measuring N. L. Lacaille's base, etc., at the Cape.
16 January 1841 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/371
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is sending him Thomas Maclear's account of taking the field and of commencing his base operations.
30 January 1841 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/372
Autograph letter signed by sender. Edward Sabine has asked him to forward J. C. Ross's notes. If John Frederick William Herschel has finished with Thomas Maclear's letter would he return it.
20 February 1841 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/373
Autograph letter signed by sender. Admiralty wished to present him with another part of the Cape Observations, and will hold it until someone is deputed to call at the office.
24 February 1841 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/374
Contemporary copy in sender's hand, signed by sender. Supports the remeasurement of N. L. Lacaille's geodetic arc in South Africa, giving a number of reasons for his support.
20 January 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/6/8
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”
1843
Draft letter in Herschel's hand. His views on the imperfections and lack of suitable instruments at the Cape Observatory.
21 May 1843 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/374a
Copy of draft letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. His views on the imperfections and lack of suitable instruments at the Cape Observatory.
21 May 1843 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/153
1844
Birth of Matilda Rose Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1844
Autograph letter signed by sender. When his packet is ready for the Cape, forward it to him at the Admiralty and he will arrange for it to be sent. Congratulations on the new addition to the family. When next in town perhaps he would be interested in seeing the new object glass for the Cape, which William Simms is preparing.
18 July 1844 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/375
Autograph letter signed by sender. Will send his letter to Thomas Maclear with one of his own. Agrees with him regarding the object glass, but feels that English artists should be encouraged.
23 July 1844 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/376
1845
Sir John Herschel serves as President of the British Association
1845
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. Encloses a letter of Thomas Maclear. William Mann will be a great loss to the Observatory. Hopes Lady Herschel and new infant are doing well.
25 May 1846 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/377
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. Will be pleased to dispose of the copies of the Reports when they arrive. Thanks for his own copy. Maria Edgeworth will be pleased with hers.
13 August 1847 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/378
Autograph letter signed by sender. Will look into the affair of the overpayment of the telescope. Regarding geographical and hydrographical desiderata for the Admiralty Manual.
27 December 1847 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/379
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. Cannot find any record of his having written. Is sending an official request from the Admiralty for John Frederick William Herschel to superintend the dome of the Cape telescope. Advice regarding his overpayment of money to the Astronomer Royal.
20 January 1848 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/380
Autograph letter signed by sender. Informing him of the recent death of Mrs. Lestock Wilson.
5 February 1848 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/381
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has had a note from the carpenter stating that the dome is ready; will notify him when the ship in which it is to sail is decided. The two papers of the Admiralty Manual are in progress by W. J. Hamilton and F. W. Beechey.
18 March 1848 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/382
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses W. J. Hamilton's paper to show its extent. Please send proofs for Hamilton to correct.
23 March 1848 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/383
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses a letter from Thomas Maclear to show how enthusiastic he is for the great telescope.
14 April 1848 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/384
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses a note from F. W. Beechey explaining why there has been a delay with his paper for the Admiralty Manual.
20 April 1848 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/385
Autograph letter signed by sender. Will be sending on 10 June all the equipment for Thomas Maclear, but the tracing paper is not forthcoming. Has John Frederick William Herschel anything for the Cape?
9 June 1848 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/386
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding a successor to William Mann should the latter be appointed to Madras.
13 June 1848 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/387
Autograph letter signed by sender. Announcing that Captain [Frederick William] Beechey is in town until the Wednesday and forwarding an unknown letter recceived that morning.
17 July 1848 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/388
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has sent to India House to find out if William Mann has been appointed to Madras. Thomas Maclear's views on a new assistant. Unable to get a copy of Mr. Collet's Trigonometrical tables.
2 August 1848 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/389
Autograph letter signed by sender. Will keep W. R. Birt in view for any vacancy that may occur. Will leave Thomas Maclear to appoint Mr. Montague. Will be obliged for the trigonometrical tables.
4 August 1848 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/390
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is sending on the proofs as he does not know the printer.
24 September 1848 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/391
Autograph letter signed by sender. The Board of Admiralty has inquired whether a paper on earthquakes by Robert Mallet has been received for the Admiralty Manual. Can John Frederick William Herschel advise?
18 November 1848 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/392
1849
Sir John Herschel publishes Outlines of Astronomy.
1849
Autograph letter signed by sender. The Equatorial has arrived safely at the Cape. William Mann has declined the position at Madras and [George Robarts] Smalley offered his services. What does John Frederick William Herschel think? Encloses letter from Thomas Maclear and one for Lady Herschel.
19 January 1849 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/394
Autograph letter signed by sender. The Dome has been returned to the Cape and is now in process of erection as the enclosed will show.
16 August 1849 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/395
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses letters from Thomas Maclear and returns one of John Frederick William Herschel's.
14 September 1849 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/396
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses more letters from Thomas Maclear. Admiration for Maclear's energy. Cape Town is in a state of semi-rebellion.
17 September 1849 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/397
1850
Sir John Herschel is appointed Master of the Mint
1850
1851
Sir John Herschel serves as juror of the Great Exhibition
1851
Autograph letter signed by sender. Thomas Maclear has asked for a transit circle and therefore the Admiralty would like John Frederick William Herschel's comments on this.
22 December 1851 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/398
Autographed clean contemporary copy in Herschel's hand. Report for the Lords of the Admiralty on the desirability of supplying Thomas Maclear with a transit circle.
27 December 1851 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/398a
Copy of a letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Report for the Lords of the Admiralty on the desirability of supplying Thomas Maclear with a transit circle.
27 December 1851 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/112
1852
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses recently received letters and a geological map. Shall he send it to Harley St.? There is a strong possibility that the Cape will get a transit circle. William Simms has a good object glass; does John Frederick William Herschel know anything about it?
6 February 1852 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/399
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is pleased to inform him that the Admiralty has ordered a transit circle for the Cape.
17 February 1852 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/400
Autograph letter signed by sender, with annotations by recipient. Encloses a letter from Thomas Maclear regarding the resignation of his assistant, George Childe. Would like John Frederick William Herschel's opinion on the appointment of Maclear's sons to succeed Childe.
7 June 1852 Sender: Francis Beaufort Reference number: HS/3/401