Correspondence Explorer

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Showing 106 letters from 1820–1866

53 letters from James South; 53 letters from John Frederick William Herschel

James South

Born: October 1785

Died: 19 October 1867

Elected to the Royal Society Fellowship: 15/02/1821

View all items sent or received by James South
John Frederick William Herschel

Mathematician and astronomer

Born: 07 March 1792

Died: 11 May 1871

Elected to the Royal Society Fellowship: 27/05/1813

View all items sent or received by John Frederick William Herschel

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James South

John Frederick William Herschel

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

Autograph letter signed by sender. Will see John Frederick William Herschel on Friday; hoping for clear weather.

22 November 1820 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/413

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

Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses a paper James South is preparing for the Astronomical Society. Mentions his recent observations. Suspects the report of a comet is a hoax.

31 December 1821 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/414

1822

Death of Sir William Herschel FRS

25 August 1822

Autograph letter signed by sender. Gives directions for some time measurements involving rockets James South was planning in conjunction with John Frederick William Herschel. Mentions various double stars.

15 January 1822 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/415

Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses James South's efforts to reform the Nautical Almanac, including James South's Practical Observations on the Nautical Almanac. States that in this 'awful crisis' James South has no hostile feelings toward its superintendent, Thomas Young.

6 April 1822 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/416

Autographed draft letter. Requests corrections on a paper James South was publishing with John Frederick William Herschel. Urges James South to use less excessive language.

17 June 1822 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/16/417

Autograph letter signed by sender. Regrets having missed John Frederick William Herschel. Has observed the seven satellites of Saturn and the fifth star of the Trapezium. Wishes to observe some of the objects observed by Wilhelm Struve.

1822? Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/476

Copy of a letter. Appreciates James South's support of John Frederick William Herschel's mother at death of William Herschel. Invites James South to attend William Herschel's remains to grave.

4 September 1822 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/19/28

Copy of draft letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Requests corrections on a paper James South was publishing with John Frederick William Herschel. Urges James South to use less excessive language.

17 June 1822 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/144

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”.

Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses various apparent errors James South has been detecting in observing double stars with two different telescopes. Assures John Frederick William Herschel that no serious problems exist.

30 June 1823 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/418

Autograph letter signed by sender. Reports on various observations of double stars that James South has made. Asks John Frederick William Herschel to check some of James South's results.

10 August 1823 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/419

Autograph letter signed by sender, damaged. Reports on efforts to make measurements regarding 39 Boötes. Accepts John Frederick William Herschel's invitation for James South and wife to visit John Frederick William Herschel at Slough.

13 September 1823 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/420

Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses observations he had made of various stars, especially a star in Capricorn that William Herschel believed to be a gravitational double. Has observed 61 Cygni.

11 October 1823 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/422

Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses a paper by [Edward] Troughton and work that John Frederick William Herschel and James South were preparing. Remarks on observations of 61 Cygni and of Sigma Cassiopeia.

13 November 1823 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/423

Autograph letter signed by sender. Writing in confidence, informs John Frederick William Herschel of a conversation with Humphry Davy concerning the appointment of assistants for John Pond, Astronomer Royal. Situation complicated by Pond's precarious health and the widespread belief that John Frederick William Herschel would be the appropriate successor to Pond.

19 December 1823 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/424

Autographed draft letter. Responding to James South's letter of 1823-12-19, advises caution in countervening John Pond's preferences in the appointment of Royal Observatory assistants. Were the post of Astronomer Royal to become vacant, John Frederick William Herschel would be 'anything but disinclined to offer myself for it,' but will not make a 'premature declaration' of his willingness to accept it.

21 December 1823 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/16/425

Autograph letter signed by sender. Will bring a transit instrument to Slough so that John Frederick William Herschel and James South can determine its longitude. Proposes joint observations of the satellites of Saturn. Has been observing 61 Cygni.

1823-11-14 or later Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/475

Autograph letter signed by sender. Has been ill. Should we publish our observations of 340 double stars or extend the number to 400?

1823? Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/477

Copy of draft letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Responding to James South's letter of 1823-12-19, advises caution in countervening John Pond's preferences in the appointment of Royal Observatory assistants. Were the post of Astronomer Royal to become vacant, John Frederick William Herschel would be 'anything but disinclined to offer myself for it,' but will not make a 'premature declaration' of his willingness to accept it.

21 December 1823 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/171

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

Autographed draft letter. If James South has not already passed on to Humphry Davy John Frederick William Herschel's letter of 1823-12-21, James South should do so immediately. If post of Astronomer Royal should become vacant, John Frederick William Herschel would be interested in it, but would not wish to work with Stephen Lee, then under consideration for appointment as head assistant at Greenwich.

8 January 1824 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/16/426

Contemporary copy in sender's hand, signed by sender. Urges that James South not get so emotionally involved in issues concerning astronomers. 'For my own part I mean to make Science my amusement, not my business....' Comments on James South's relations with John Pond.

15 February 1824 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/16/426a

Autograph letter signed by sender, with annotations by recipient. Writing to John Frederick William Herschel [then travelling in Europe], James South informs him that James South is moving to Paris. Comments on his plans for his observatory in Paris and on recent events in England regarding astronomers and instruments.

11 June 1824 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/427

Autograph letter signed by sender. Feels he has pledged to the public to continue double star observation. Encourages John Frederick William Herschel to persevere as well. Offers John Frederick William Herschel use of his 5-foot refracting telescope. Asks about Fraunhofer telescopes.

16 September 1824 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/428

Autographed draft letter. Does not share James South's feeling of having pledged to continue double star observation. Reports on the high quality of the telescopes manufactured by Josef Fraunhofer.

21 September 1824 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/16/429

Contemporary copy in sender's hand. Will be pleased to correct the proof copy of James South's paper on double stars. Mentions Charles Babbage and Edward Troughton.

3 December 1824 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/16/430

Autograph letter signed by sender. Reports on his life in France and on details in the paper James South and John Frederick William Herschel were publishing on double stars.

13 December 1824 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/431

Autographed draft letter. Wishes James South immediately and confidentially to pass on to Humphry Davy John Frederick William Herschel's letter of 1823-12-21, making clear that John Frederick William Herschel does not favor appointment of Stephen Lee as head assistant at the Royal Observatory. Has heard that James South has felt that John Frederick William Herschel slighted James South in John Frederick William Herschel's letter. Denies this.

8 January 1824 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/16/432

Copy of draft letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Wishes James South immediately and confidentially to pass on to Humphry Davy John Frederick William Herschel's letter of 1823-12-21, making clear that John Frederick William Herschel does not favor appointment of Stephen Lee as head assistant at the Royal Observatory. Has heard that James South has felt that John Frederick William Herschel slighted James South in John Frederick William Herschel's letter. Denies this.

8 January 1824 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/172

Copy of draft letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. If James South has not already passed on to Humphry Davy John Frederick William Herschel's letter of 1823-12-21, James South should do so immediately. If post of Astronomer Royal should become vacant, John Frederick William Herschel would be interested in it, but would not wish to work with Stephen Lee, then under consideration for appointment as head assistant at Greenwich.

8 January 1824 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/173

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Urges that James South not get so emotionally involved in issues concerning astronomers. 'For my own part I mean to make Science my amusement, not my business....' Comments on James South's relations with John Pond.

15 February 1824 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/177

Copy of draft letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Does not share James South's feeling of having pledged to continue double star observation. Reports on the high quality of the telescopes manufactured by Josef Fraunhofer.

21 September 1824 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/186

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Will be pleased to correct the proof copy of James South's paper on double stars. Mentions Charles Babbage and Edward Troughton.

3 December 1824 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/192

1825

John Frederick William Herschel invents the actinometer to measure the heating power of the Sun’s rays

1825

Autograph letter signed by sender. Reports on some observations from James South's observatory near Paris and on his contacts with the Paris Observatory. Relays to John Frederick William Herschel a request from Alexander von Humboldt for barometric observations. Invites John Frederick William Herschel to visit.

26? February 1825 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/433

Contemporary copy of the letter. Making, reducing, and publishing double star work is very difficult and, because of Wilhelm Struve's recent endeavors, less pressing than it had been. Mentions various doubles. Expresses interest in James South's plan to purchase a very large refractor.

10 March 1825 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/16/434

Abstract. Agrees to purchase James South's 7-foot refractor if no other reasonable offer made, but doubts he would use it extensively. Plans to concentrate on observing nebulae with John Frederick William Herschel's reflector at Slough. Relays regards and question for P. S. Laplace.

16 April 1825 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/16/435

Autograph letter signed by sender. On the eloges of William Herschel being prepared by François Arago and J. B. Fourier. John Frederick William Herschel's and James South's work on double stars much appreciated among French astronomers. On Alexis Bouvard, Arago, and other French astronomers. On Wilhelm Struve's observations of double stars.

10 April 1825 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/436

Autograph letter signed by sender. On the transmission of materials between John Frederick William Herschel and James South. On their joint observations.

22 April 1825 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/436a

Autograph letter signed by sender. Has been making observations as John Frederick William Herschel requested of the star 70 Ophiuchi. Argues for the accuracy of observations of double stars that John Frederick William Herschel and James South have made.

5 May 1825 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/437

Autograph letter signed by sender. Is sending materials to John Frederick William Herschel. Reports on continued efforts to observe the star 70 Ophiuchi. Has sighted three nebulae that may be unknown to John Frederick William Herschel.

9 May 1825 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/438

Autograph letter signed by sender. If you can send a copy of our paper on double stars immediately, it seems certain that the Academy will award a medal for it. Informs John Frederick William Herschel of most expeditious method of sending same.

13 May 1825 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/439

Contemporary copy in sender's hand. Has received materials sent by James South. Printing of paper by James South and John Frederick William Herschel on double stars is nearly completed. Urges that the issue is not whether the observations of 70 Ophiuchi made by Wilhelm Struve are better than those made by John Frederick William Herschel and James South; the issue is truth. Caroline Herschel has sent to John Frederick William Herschel a catalogue of his father's observation. Busy observing nebulae.

16 May 1825 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/16/440

Autograph letter signed by sender. Has returned from London. A preprint of James South's and John Frederick William Herschel's paper on double stars has been delivered to François Arago. Is finding many errata in their paper. Has received a letter from Josef Fraunhofer and the paper [on double stars] of Wilhelm Struve.

25 May 1825 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/441

Autograph letter signed by sender, with annotations by recipient. The Academy has decided to award John Frederick William Herschel and James South its astronomy prize for their paper on double stars.

24 May 1825 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/442

Autograph letter signed by sender. Contacts with Alexis Bouvard and P. S. Laplace. Criticizes an astronomical paper by [Robert] Woodhouse.

29 May 1825 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/443

Autograph letter signed by sender. Comments negatively on an astronomical paper by Robert Woodhouse. [J. F. A.] Gambert in Marseille has reportedly discovered a comet. Details on the medal to be awarded by the Academy to John Frederick William Herschel and James South. If, as reported, Wilhelm Struve has come to England, invite him to visit James South in Paris.

4 June 1825 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/444

Autograph letter signed by sender. James South has received the medals awarded James South and John Frederick William Herschel by the French Academy for their paper on double stars. Reports on his new work on double stars and his observations of [J. F. A.] Gambert's comet.

21 June 1825 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/445

Autograph letter signed by sender. Laments the difficulty of transmitting publications between Paris and London. On arrangements to get John Frederick William Herschel's Lalande Prize medal to John Frederick William Herschel. James South's recent observations and contacts with Parisian scientists.

24 June 1825 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/446

Autograph letter signed by sender. On his contacts with French scientists and on their praise for the John Frederick William Herschel's and James South's catalogue of double stars. Suggests that John Frederick William Herschel, beset by excessive commitments, cease to devote time to seeing James South's publications through the press. Comments on the personal cost to James South of his devotion to double stars. Remarks on John Frederick William Herschel's efforts to measure the difference in longitude between the Greenwich and Paris observatories. Data on double stars.

19 July 1825 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/447

Autographed draft letter. John Frederick William Herschel's attempts with Edward Sabine to measure the difference in longitude between Greenwich and the Paris Observatory. Supplies, for Alexander von Humboldt, John Frederick William Herschel's measurement of Mount Etna's height. Gives message for François Arago concerning paper on magnetism published by John Frederick William Herschel and Charles Babbage.

2 August 1825 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/16/448

Autograph letter signed by sender. Comments on various errors detected in the catalogue of double stars published by John Frederick William Herschel and James South. Scientific affairs in Paris in relation to Alexander von Humboldt, François Arago, P. S. Laplace, and others. Various cometary and stellar observations of James South.

12 August 1825 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/449

Autographed draft letter. Asks James South to check over and forward to Astronomische Nachrichten John Frederick William Herschel's paper ['Letter on Fraunhofer's Claims for the Inferiority of Reflecting as Compared to Refracting Telescopes'], which paper calls attentions to errors in the catalogue of double stars published by James South and John Frederick William Herschel.

16 August 1825 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/16/450

Autograph letter signed by sender. Reports observing with J. N. Nicollet two comets. Observations of Encke's comet. Gives position of nebula to be observed by John Frederick William Herschel.

22 August 1825 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/451

Autograph letter signed by sender. Reports his observations of a comet James South detected and also of Encke's comet. Pleased John Frederick William Herschel is recovering from illness.

10 September 1825 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/452

Autograph letter signed by sender. Sorry John Frederick William Herschel is still sick. Will send James South's new double stars observations to John Frederick William Herschel for his comments and for publication.

30 September 1825 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/453

Autograph letter signed by sender. Is sending his latest double stars observations to John Frederick William Herschel. Weather is making observation difficult. Will be in London in November; hopes to present paper at Royal Society [of London]

11 October 1825 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/454

Autograph letter signed by sender. Has been delayed in France, but is sending large collection of double star observations for John Frederick William Herschel's comments and analysis. Has dismantled James South's observatory in Passy as part of return of James South to England. Comments on P. S. Laplace.

2 November 1825 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/455

Contemporary copy in sender's hand, signed by sender. Royal Society [of London] Council will meet 17 Nov. to discuss awarding its Copley medal; hence James South's paper, to be presented to Royal Society [of London] later that day, cannot be considered for the award. Other matters have prevented John Frederick William Herschel from preparing annotations of James South's latest paper on double stars.

11 November 1825 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/16/456

Contemporary copy in sender's hand. Has examined Edward Sabine's transit measurements; finds them unproblematic.

1825? Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/16/479

Contemporary copy in sender's hand. Has represented James South's interests as best John Frederick William Herschel can regarding James South's proposal. Describes himself as unskillful in such representations.

1825 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/16/481

Contemporary copy in sender's hand, signed by sender. Defends Edward Sabine's transit observations, noting that John Frederick William Herschel supports them on practical rather than theoretical grounds.

1825? Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/16/482

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Making, reducing, and publishing double star work is very difficult and, because of Wilhelm Struve's recent endeavors, less pressing than it had been. Mentions various doubles. Expresses interest in James South's plan to purchase a very large refractor.

10 March 1825 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/201

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Agrees to purchase James South's 7-foot refractor if no other reasonable offer made, but doubts he would use it extensively. Plans to concentrate on observing nebulae with John Frederick William Herschel's reflector at Slough. Relays regards and question for P. S. Laplace.

16 April 1825 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/207

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Has received materials sent by James South. Printing of paper by James South and John Frederick William Herschel on double stars is nearly completed. Urges that the issue is not whether the observations of 70 Ophiuchi made by Wilhelm Struve are better than those made by John Frederick William Herschel and James South; the issue is truth. Caroline Herschel has sent to John Frederick William Herschel a catalogue of his father's observation. Busy observing nebulae.

16 May 1825 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/212

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Royal Society [of London] Council will meet 17 Nov. to discuss awarding its Copley medal; hence James South's paper, to be presented to Royal Society [of London] later that day, cannot be considered for the award. Other matters have prevented John Frederick William Herschel from preparing annotations of James South's latest paper on double stars.

11 November 1825 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/224

Copy of draft letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Has represented James South's interests as best John Frederick William Herschel can regarding James South's proposal. Describes himself as unskillful in such representations.

1825 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/13/26

Copy of draft letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Has examined Edward Sabine's transit measurements; finds them unproblematic.

1825? Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/13/27

Copy of draft letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Defends Edward Sabine's transit observations, noting that John Frederick William Herschel supports them on practical rather than theoretical grounds.

1825? Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/13/28

1826

John Frederick William Herschel publishes in the Philosophical Transactions

1826: John Frederick William Herschel publishes “On the parallax of the fixed stars”.

Contemporary copy in sender's hand, signed by sender. Looked for James South to talk with him about the secretaryship of the Royal Society [of London], specifically discussing Charles Babbage's position. John Frederick William Herschel would prefer to have James South nominate Babbage.

14 November 1826 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/27/1

Contemporary copy in sender's hand. Urges James South not to insist on a minor point of dispute about the title of a prospective member. John Frederick William Herschel feels it is inappropriate and will simply reflect against Charles Babbage, who proposed this person for membership.

1826-11-24-29 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/27/15

1827

Joseph Nicéphore Niépce presents his photographs in England for the first time

1827

Autograph letter signed by sender. Attended inquest regarding the 'calamitous' fate of [James] Grahame. Is sending John Frederick William Herschel inquest report, which contains important information.

29 November 1827 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/457

1828

Autograph letter signed by sender. Attended meeting of the Astronomical Society and made observations of Saturn. Invites John Frederick William Herschel to dinner party. Activities at the Board of Longitude. Contacts with French scientists.

19 April 1828 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/458

Autograph letter signed by sender. Thanks John Frederick William Herschel for information on John Frederick William Herschel's detection of Encke's Comet. James South's contacts with various astronomers, including Peter Barlow, John Pond, and François Arago.

18 September 1828 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/459

Contemporary copy in sender's hand. Thanks James South for materials sent. Laments the decline of science in England. Believes decline has deep roots.

1828 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/16/480

Copy of draft letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Thanks James South for materials sent. Laments the decline of science in England. Believes decline has deep roots.

1828 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/13/1

1829

John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart are married in London

3 March 1829

Autograph letter signed by sender. Reports on meeting of Francis Baily, Francis Beaufort, and James South with Lord Melville on the subject of a new Board of Longitude. Discusses proposed voyage of [James] Ross. Activities at the Astronomical Society. Congratulations to John Frederick William Herschel on his marriage.

19 March 1829 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/460

Autographed draft letter. Explains that he does not wish to be a member of the new Board of Longitude; wishes instead to devote his energies to his research. Is leaving to travel for some months [with his bride]; cannot attend committee meetings during this period.

1829-3 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/16/461

Autograph letter signed by sender. Reports unfavorably on the telescope of A. Rogers. Information regarding Charles Babbage and his engines. Controversy concerning the Nautical Almanac.

25 May 1829 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/478

Copy of draft letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Explains that he does not wish to be a member of the new Board of Longitude; wishes instead to devote his energies to his research. Is leaving to travel for some months [with his bride]; cannot attend committee meetings during this period.

1829-3 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/41

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. Has confirmed the existence of a sixth star in the Nebular Trapezium [of Orion]. Discusses interest among leaders of the Astronomical Society in securing a royal charter. Asks for John Frederick William Herschel's views.

21 February 1830 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/462

Autograph letter signed by sender. Reports on discussion in Astronomical Society council whether to favor John Frederick William Herschel's recommendation of a new nomenclature regarding the angular positions of double stars, or to support James South's preference for William Herschel's method. Other activities concerning the Astronomical Society.

3 June 1830 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/463

Contemporary copy in sender's hand, signed by sender. Is defending a change in notation for the angles of position system that John Frederick William Herschel introduced in a paper. [Postscript dated 1830-7-7 marked 'Private' and deals with business relating to the Athenaeum and a comment on Charles Babbage's book.]

7 June 1830 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/1/3

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. Comments on efforts toward getting a royal charter for the Astronomical Society, a paper by Peter Barlow, and activities of the Royal Society [of London] Correspondence with Wilhelm Struve. Difficulties in getting his new telescope constructed.

2 February 1831 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/464

Autograph letter signed by sender. Has received John Frederick William Herschel's communication. Asks that John Frederick William Herschel not write James South unless he can write in a 'different manner.'

28 November 1831 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/465

Autograph letter signed by sender. Surprised at James South's response [see 1831-11-28] to his offer. Because the offer was well intentioned, repeats it and hopes that their mutual interests will lead to continued correspondence.

29 November 1831 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/16/466

Autograph letter signed by sender. Regrets the tensions that arose between John Frederick William Herschel and James South. Congratulates John Frederick William Herschel on his knighthood. Laments the costs and difficulties involved in the construction of James South's new observatory.

30 November 1831 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/467

Contemporary copy in sender's hand, signed by sender. Commiserates with James South's problems in the construction of James South's new observatory. Seeks to smooth over a misunderstanding between them. Failing health of John Frederick William Herschel's mother.

30 December 1831 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/16/468

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Surprised at James South's response [see 1831-11-28] to his offer. Because the offer was well intentioned, repeats it and hopes that their mutual interests will lead to continued correspondence.

29 November 1831 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/93

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Commiserates with James South's problems in the construction of James South's new observatory. Seeks to smooth over a misunderstanding between them. Failing health of John Frederick William Herschel's mother.

30 December 1831 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/97

1832

Autograph letter signed by sender. Has heard that John Frederick William Herschel is publishing an attack on James South's double star observations made in France. Is this correct?

15 May 1832 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/469

Contemporary copy in sender's hand, signed by sender. Responds to James South's fear [see 1832-5-15] that John Frederick William Herschel has been preparing an attack on James South's double star observations by explaining in detail and providing extensive evidence that John Frederick William Herschel has no such intention.

16 May 1832 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/16/470

Autograph letter signed by sender. Has visited Caroline Herschel, who is well. Discusses whether John Frederick William Herschel will make magnetic observations at the Cape of Good Hope.

25 October 1832 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/471

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Responds to James South's fear [see 1832-5-15] that John Frederick William Herschel has been preparing an attack on James South's double star observations by explaining in detail and providing extensive evidence that John Frederick William Herschel has no such intention.

16 May 1832 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/107

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

Autographed draft letter, signed or initialed by sender. A friend has requested John Frederick William Herschel to ask James South whether James South has a large Cauchoix objective lens that he would be willing to sell. John Frederick William Herschel has dismantled his 20-ft. telescope for voyage to Cape Town.

4 July 1833 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/16/472

Autograph letter signed by sender. Does the person wishing to purchase James South's lens have a worthy objective in mind [see 1833-7-4]?

6 July 1833 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/16/473

Contemporary copy of the letter. Assures James South that the person interested in purchasing James South's lens has worthy intentions for it, i.e., its use in a public institution. Regrets that James South distrusted John Frederick William Herschel's good intentions.

11 July 1833 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/16/474

Copy of draft letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. A friend has requested John Frederick William Herschel to ask James South whether James South has a large Cauchoix objective lens that he would be willing to sell. John Frederick William Herschel has dismantled his 20-ft. telescope for voyage to Cape Town.

4 July 1833 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/139

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Assures James South that the person interested in purchasing James South's lens has worthy intentions for it, i.e., its use in a public institution. Regrets that James South distrusted John Frederick William Herschel's good intentions.

11 July 1833 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/141

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

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.

Autograph letter signed by sender. Informs John Frederick William Herschel that in a letter to The Times signed by Richard Sheepshanks John Frederick William Herschel's name appears. James South wants to know if John Frederick William Herschel is aware of this fact.

12 November 1838 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/27/16

Contemporary copy in sender's hand, signed by sender. John Frederick William Herschel has seen the letter in The Times [see James South's 1838-11-12]. As James South only asked if John Frederick William Herschel's name was there, John Frederick William Herschel responds to the question of fact and does not wish further communication on the matter.

13 November 1838 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/27/16a

Autograph letter signed by sender. Someone has written to The Times as John Frederick William Herschel's 'champion' and has impugned the conduct of James South towards the Royal Society [of London] To clear his name, James South wants to make public John Frederick William Herschel's letter to James South of 1826-11-14, which James South quotes.

23 November 1838 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/27/17

Contemporary copy in sender's hand, signed by sender. As John Frederick William Herschel is not aware that James South has been attacked because of the incident referred to in John Frederick William Herschel's 1826-11-14, John Frederick William Herschel is unwilling to give permission for the publication of that letter. It seems to John Frederick William Herschel that James South is being attacked for unsubstantiated attacks he made on the President and Council of the Royal Society [of London]

24 November 1838 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/27/17a

Autograph letter signed by sender. As John Frederick William Herschel will not allow the publication of the letter [see John Frederick William Herschel's 1838-11-24], James South will provide a plain narrative of the facts to justify his conduct.

26 November 1838 Sender: James South Reference number: HS/27/18

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

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

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”

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

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

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