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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Correspondence Explorer

Choose two people to view all letters between them.

Showing 53 letters from 1838–1865

27 letters from Humphrey Lloyd; 26 letters from John Frederick William Herschel

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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. Would have liked to have welcomed John Frederick William Herschel on his return from the Cape, but academic duties prevented it. Royal Irish Academy progresses under W. R. Hamilton's presidency. His late father established a magnetic observatory at Dublin and Humphrey Lloyd is in charge.

Reference number: HS/11/263

Autograph letter signed by sender. Rejoices that John Frederick William Herschel is in favor of a South Polar expedition. Three years since a memorandum was presented to the government and thinks the B.A.A.S. should now present a further memo. Hopes John Frederick William Herschel will give it his support.

Reference number: HS/11/264

Autographed letter, incomplete. Agrees on the general plan for the expedition with the views of Edward Sabine. Gives some of his own comments for magnetic observations.

Reference number: HS/11/265

Autograph letter signed by sender. Has been considering with Edward Sabine that morning the requirements for the fixed observatories. Gives lists and also estimate of finances required for a three-year period.

Reference number: HS/11/266

Draft letter. Would like a statement from Edward Sabine and Humphrey Lloyd outlining the probable expense and materials required for the proposed expedition so that he can hand it to the government at the interview. Has written to G. B. Airy, who is not in favor of the proposed expedition, so will write again. Thinks it necessary for men of science to agree before presenting petitions to the government.

Reference number: HS/11/267

Autograph letter signed by sender. Illness forces him to make a quick return home. Agrees with John Frederick William Herschel that scientific men should act unanimously when approaching government. Thinks the Royal Society [of London] should go along with the B.A.A.S. as well. Hoped to consult G. B. Airy. Will see Edward Sabine to draw up the memorial.

Reference number: HS/11/268

Copy of a letter. Some personal and some general astronomical news.

Reference number: HS/21/248

Copy of a letter. John Frederick William Herschel reiterates his support of a South Polar expedition.

Reference number: HS/21/256

Copy of a letter. Is anxious to hear from Humphrey Lloyd about his ideas for a major expedition for magnetic observations being considered by the B.A.A.S.

Reference number: HS/21/263

Copy of a letter. Further comments in preparation for discussion of major expedition [see John Frederick William Herschel's 1838-10-22] with representatives of the government.

Reference number: HS/21/267

Copy of draft letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Would like a statement from Edward Sabine and Humphrey Lloyd outlining the probable expense and materials required for the proposed expedition so that he can hand it to the government at the interview. Has written to G. B. Airy, who is not in favor of the proposed expedition, so will write again. Thinks it necessary for men of science to agree before presenting petitions to the government.

Reference number: HS/21/270
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. Was pleased to hear of the success of John Frederick William Herschel's exertions. Comments on the instruments required. Thanks for his communication on the copper ring; will try it with the bifilar. W. H. F. Talbot talks of applying the photographic method to meteorological and magnetical instruments. Encloses a paper.

Reference number: HS/11/269

Autograph letter signed by sender. Has ordered the instruments for the Van Diemen's Land observatory. Is uncertain regarding the third magnetometer; T. C. Robinson's has not yet been tested. Will order a dip circle from Paris.

Reference number: HS/11/270

Autograph letter signed by sender. Has just had a letter from C. F. Gauss regarding the hours for observations; comments on this.

Reference number: HS/11/271

Autograph letter signed by sender. Finds that he misunderstood Edward Sabine's statement and may have misled John Frederick William Herschel. Comments on the observations desired from the Antarctic Expedition.

Reference number: HS/11/272

Copy of a letter. Responds positively to Humphrey Lloyd's 1839-4-17, and adds some additional comments.

Reference number: HS/22/10

Copy of a letter. About times at which magnetic observations should be made at each observation station.

Reference number: HS/22/25

Copy of a letter. Passes on the suggestion, from G. B. Airy, of the use of copper rings for damping the movements of measuring instruments in measuring terrestrial magnetism.

Reference number: HS/25/14/20

Containing Lloyd's report on the cooperation with Russian and German observatories. This involves collaboration with [Adolph Theodor] Kupffer regarding the observatories in St. Petersburg and Barnaoul. Lloyd references multiple collaborators at institutions in Munich, Breslau, Prague, and Milan. [The last two pages are on a separate sheet, labelled within the volume as MC/3/47a.]

Reference number: MC/3/47
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. Has not heard of any results of John Frederick William Herschel's letter to D. F. J. Arago, but Georges Aime has been appointed to direct an observatory in Algiers. Great interest at the Institute when John Frederick William Herschel's letter was read. Glad he did not waste a second letter to the Times.

Reference number: HS/11/273

Autograph letter signed by sender. Has received John Frederick William Herschel's letter with the sheet of curves laid down by [Charles] Riddell. Comments on these. Is honored by the notice John Frederick William Herschel has taken of his share in the magnetic project. Encloses note on the wet bulb [thermometer].

Reference number: HS/11/274

Autograph letter signed by sender. Has just received John Frederick William Herschel's letter of August as he has been traveling on the continent. Will see G. B. Airy tomorrow. Comments on Johann von Lamont's observatory at Munich. Discussed the Report of the Magnetic arrangements with Edward Sabine. Encloses letters. L. A. J. Quetelet would like support from the Royal Society [of London] for additional observers in his observatory.

Reference number: HS/11/275

Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding the publication of the magnetical and meteorological observations. Wonders if a letter from John Frederick William Herschel to the appropriate bodies would prove useful. Will give early consideration to the plan.

Reference number: HS/11/276

Autograph letter signed by sender. Took the chair at a meeting of the Committee for Physics at the Royal Society [of London] Is to bring the matter before Council, who in turn will request the Master of Ordnance to publish the observations. Material from each observatory will require about half of a quarto volume.

Reference number: HS/11/277

Autograph letter signed by sender. Forwards papers relating to the Aden Observatory; please return, with any comments, to Col. W. H. Sykes. Submits suggestions for monthly information and comments on various topics.

Reference number: HS/11/278

Copy of a letter. G. B. Airy needs Humphrey Lloyd to send him the information used to set up colonial magnetic observatories.

Reference number: HS/22/64

Copy of a letter. About the urgent need to prepare a report on the magnetic observations, and that Humphrey Lloyd is the most logical person to give direction to it.

Reference number: HS/22/69

Copy of a letter. Sends to Humphrey Lloyd a sheet of curves laid down by [Charles] Riddell, comparing Brussels declination observations with those made in Toronto. John Frederick William Herschel frequently refers to Humphrey Lloyd's work on the subject of terrestrial magnetism.

Reference number: HS/25/14/19
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. Gives brief details of the work of the magnetic observations since John Frederick William Herschel's last record. Arrangements have been completed for the publication of some of the observations.

Reference number: HS/11/279

Autograph letter signed by sender. Thinks that there should be more definite instructions for the Directors of the Magnetical Observatories. Has drawn up a paper, which if John Frederick William Herschel agrees with, can be signed and printed for distribution. Points out the significant parts. There should be a common nomenclature for the weather.

Reference number: HS/11/280
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. Thinks it necessary to revise the instructions for the magnetic observations. Makes some suggestions for the Report of the Committee.

Reference number: HS/11/281

Copy of a letter. Regarding the revision of the instructions for the magnetic observatories.

Reference number: HS/11/282

Autograph letter signed by sender. Has just received John Frederick William Herschel's circular. Was not fully aware of the labor involved in drawing up the Report of the Council. Needs a new edition of the part concerning the fixed observatories. Outlines method for new edition. Sabine should be responsible for the material on Magnetic Surveys.

Reference number: HS/11/283

Copy of a letter. Urges some revision in both the report and instructions for the magnetic observations.

Reference number: HS/22/134

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Regarding the revision of the instructions for the magnetic observatories.

Reference number: HS/22/137
1844

Birth of Matilda Rose Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart

1844

Copy of a letter. Asks Humphrey Lloyd for comments about the question of continuing the magnetic observations.

Reference number: HS/22/209

Contemporary copy in sender's hand, signed by sender. Informs Humphrey Lloyd of the intention of holding a magnetic congress at the meeting of the B.A.A.S. in 1845, and John Frederick William Herschel seeks Humphrey Lloyd's opinion.

Reference number: HS/25/6/25
1845

Sir John Herschel serves as President of the British Association

1845

Copy of a letter. Question of procedure about considering the magnetic observations for publication.

Reference number: HS/22/222

Copy of a letter. Is trying to organize a meeting of the Magnetic Committee before the meeting of the B.A.A.S. in Cambridge, to deal with reporting and committee membership.

Reference number: HS/22/236

Copy of a letter. Further to arrangements about meeting [see John Frederick William Herschel's 1845-5-30].

Reference number: HS/22/238
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. Did not realize his question would require so much of John Frederick William Herschel's valuable time to answer. Hopes to introduce some safe German Philosophy into the appropriate departments at Trinity College. Will look into the Lehrbuch.

Reference number: HS/11/284

Autograph letter signed by sender. Received his letter enclosing Edward Sabine's a few days ago on returning home. Busy at College; otherwise would have written. Could have attended a meeting of Committee of Physics had he known. Discovery of the new planet is a triumph. Has he heard of the attempt to destroy the telescope of William Parsons (3rd Earl of Rosse)?

Reference number: HS/11/285
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.

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

Copy of a letter. Asks questions about how to proceed for the continuance of magnetic observations.

Reference number: HS/23/30
1849

Sir John Herschel publishes Outlines of Astronomy.

1849

1850

Sir John Herschel is appointed Master of the Mint

1850

Autograph letter signed by sender. Before he sends the 'Instructions' to the press would like to know if there is any objection to the use that he has made of John Frederick William Herschel's Admiralty Manual.

Reference number: HS/11/286
1851

Sir John Herschel serves as juror of the Great Exhibition

1851

1855

Birth of Constance Anne Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart

1855

Sir John Herschel is elected Foreign Associate of the Institut de France

1855

Sir John Herschel resigns from his position as Master of the Mint

1855

1857

Autograph letter signed by sender. At the last meeting of the B.A.A.S. a resolution was adopted calling for the continuance of the Magnetical Observations. Would work through the joint Royal Society [of London] and the Royal Astronomical Society committees as before. Would John Frederick William Herschel agree to continue as chairman? Let him know at the Athenaeum where he returns in a few days.

Reference number: HS/11/287

Copy of a letter. Regrets that he cannot attend B.A.A.S. meeting and stay with Humphrey Lloyd; thanks Humphrey Lloyd for his paper on the undulating theory.

Reference number: HS/23/202

Copy of a letter. Begs not to be chairman of the proposed Magnetic Conference Committee [see Humphrey Lloyd's 1857-10-19], but would serve on the committee.

Reference number: HS/23/211
1859

Copy of a letter. Sends procedures for preparation of the report of the Magnetic Committee for the meeting of the B.A.A.S., which John Frederick William Herschel cannot attend due to illness; asks some questions about achromatic lens theory.

Reference number: HS/23/276

Copy of a letter. Thanks Humphrey Lloyd for the response to John Frederick William Herschel's queries [see John Frederick William Herschel's 1859-9-4].

Reference number: HS/23/277
1860

Sir John Herschel publishes in the Proceedings of the Royal Society

1860: Sir John Herschel publishes some “Remarks on colour-blindness" extracted from a referee report on Pole’s paper on the same subject.

1861

Death of Margaret Louisa Marshall, née Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart

1861

William Morris established the decorative design firm of Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Company (later Morris & Company)

1861

Charles Dickens publishes Great Expectations as a three-volume book

1861

Sir John Herschel publishes Physical Geography as part of the Encyclopaedia Britannica.

1861

Abraham Lincoln begins his term as President of the United States

4 March 1861

1865

Autograph letter signed by sender. Has not seen the paper in the Smithsonian Institution, but believes the author is in error. Has looked at A. L. Cauchy's Dispersion Memoir, but thinks Baden Powell's paper presents a more distinct formula. Hopes to send in a few weeks the first volume of Humphrey Lloyd's [Observations Made at the Magnetic and Meteorological Observatory at Trinity College, Dublin].

Reference number: HS/11/288

Autograph letter signed by sender. Comments that A. J. Fresnel's papers in the Annales de chimie are really incomplete sketches of theories, which he developed later. Theory clearly stated in [Felix] Billet's Traite d'optique physique. Friend of his at Trinity College has produced a peculiar liquid.

Reference number: HS/11/289

Autograph letter signed by sender. Pointing out one aspect of John Frederick William Herschel's report with which he does not agree, viz., the advantage of very small magnets in observations.

Reference number: HS/11/290

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Writes to ask for clarification of Humphrey Lloyd's views on the dispersion of light.

Reference number: HS/24/113