Correspondence map
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John Frederick William Herschel
Francis Baily
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has received 50 copies of the enclosed work [?]. Stresses its value.
19th century Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/276
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding the observations of John Frederick William Herschel and Giuseppe Piazzi on 'Comae.'
19th century Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/277
Autograph letter signed by sender. Will be happy to accommodate him.
19th century Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/278
Autograph letter signed by sender. Meeting with J. C. Spencer (Viscount Althorp) next Wednesday at Downing St.
19th century Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/279
Autographed letter . Query regarding positions of stars in the various star catalogues.
19th century Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/284
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Query regarding positions of stars in the various star catalogues.
19th century Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/64Charles 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
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
John Frederick William Herschel begins as sub-lector at St. John's College, Cambridge
1 May 1815
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
Mary Shelley publishes Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus
1818
John Frederick William Herschel serves on the Board of Longitude
1819
Autograph letter signed by sender. Acknowledges in John Frederick William Herschel's father's name Francis Baily's notice of the upcoming annular eclipse of 1820. Stresses the importance of observing it.
1819 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/33
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Acknowledges in John Frederick William Herschel's father's name Francis Baily's notice of the upcoming annular eclipse of 1820. Stresses the importance of observing it.
1819 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/62John 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. Regarding the printing and distribution of John Frederick William Herschel's Address.
22 January 1820 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/34
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is sending copies of the Address and circular, and two copies of his own pamphlets.
24 January 1820 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/35
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has sent the Address to the printers for the corrections to be made. Committee meeting on Tuesday next. Hopes John Frederick William Herschel can come.
22 February 1820 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/36
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is sending the books. News of the Committee meeting. Relations of the Astronomical Society with Sir Joseph Banks and the Royal Society [of London]
11 March 1820 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/37
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is making arrangements for the Committee meeting. Will bring some copies of the Eclipse for John Frederick William Herschel.
19 June 1820 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/38John 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. Regarding the printing of the report and sanction of council. Details several points on which he requires guidance. New observatories in India. Can John Frederick William Herschel dine with him on Thursday?
17 February 1821 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/39
Autograph letter signed by sender. Can he give him the address of Capt. W. E. Parry? Should he send a report to Humphry Davy?
19 March 1821 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/40
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is sorry John Frederick William Herschel could not manage the Council meeting last Monday. Suggests a date for the next meeting.
19 April 1821 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/41
Autographed letter . If Francis Baily will send him his paper on the eclipse, he will write his report. Regarding the publication of information received from various members. Duties of the Foreign Secretary.
29 May 1821 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/42
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is forwarding his paper on the eclipse. Publication of information received from members. Regarding the refereeing of Gerard Moll's paper on the eclipse.
4 June 1821 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/43
Autograph letter signed by sender. Would like to borrow one of H. C. Schumacher's books from John Frederick William Herschel. Should they print Giuseppe Piazzi's communication on the eclipse?
10 November 1821 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/44
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. If Francis Baily will send him his paper on the eclipse, he will write his report. Regarding the publication of information received from various members. Duties of the Foreign Secretary.
29 May 1821 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/118Death of Sir William Herschel FRS
25 August 1822
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has only had 100 copies of his own tables printed. Difficulties as to whom he should send them. Regarding the observations of the old astronomers. Any news regarding the printing of Giuseppe Piazzi's paper?
4 January 1822 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/45
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding a suitable date for the next meeting of Council. Construction of tables. Regulations regarding auditors.
4 February 1822 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/46
Autograph letter signed by sender. Reasons why John Frederick William Herschel was unable to see the Atlas when he called.
9 February 1822 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/47
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding H. C. Schumacher's Nachrichten. Astronomical observations. Regarding foreign correspondents for the Astronomical Society.
12 February 1822 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/48
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding the plan of the tables for the places of the principal stars. Will be unable to attend the meeting of council on Friday. Will send memorandum for discussion.
6 March 1822 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/49
Autograph letter signed by sender. Wishes to resign from the secretaryship of the Astronomical Society.
8 March 1822 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/50
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding the method of dispatch of papers for foreign members.
26 March 1822 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/51
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding the tables. Would like to see J. J. Littrow's observations. Regarding the printing of various papers in the memoirs.
20 May 1822 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/52
Autograph letter signed by sender. Further regarding the transmission of papers abroad. Encloses a copy of his own paper on the formula of J. J. Littrow. Astronomical matters.
29 June 1822 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/53
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has been absent and is sending letter he found on return, and a copy of his own remarks on J. J. Littrow's formula. Regarding the best method of procuring the Memoirs. Can lend him a copy of W. T. Brande's Journal if he would like it.
30 July 1822 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/54John 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. Regarding errors and discrepancies in the tables of F. W. Bessel. Difficulty of dispatching books to foreign members.
18 February 1823 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/55John 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
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is sending a letter from Dr. John Brinkley, and the corrected elements of the comet.
20 February 1824 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/56John Frederick William Herschel invents the actinometer to measure the heating power of the Sun’s rays
1825
Autograph letter signed by sender. Would like to borrow the drawing of Josef Fraunhofer's telescope. Has received an account of this telescope from Wilhelm Struve, which he is now translating. Regarding the miscarriage of the Memoirs for Struve.
28 February 1825 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/57
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is sending a copy of Wilhelm Struve's paper on Josef Fraunhofer's telescope. Regarding F. W. Bessel's formula on longitude. Has copies of J. J. Littrow's paper for him.
28 March 1825 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/58
Autograph letter signed by sender. Enclosing vouchers relating to the stock, etc. Regarding the interpretation of a letter from F. W. Bessel. The inquiries regarding the Astronomer Royal.
17 May 1825 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/59
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding the travels of a packet of Wilhelm Struve's observations. Please bring F. W. Bessel's letter with him when he comes to the Committee meeting.
31 May 1825 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/60
Autograph letter signed by sender. Will be pleased to accept his invitation to spend some days at Slough.
4 October 1825 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/61
Autograph letter signed by sender. Send copies of the errata to Giuseppe Piazzi's catalogue. Cloud ruined his observation of Saturn.
31 October 1825 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/62John Frederick William Herschel publishes in the Philosophical Transactions
1826:
John Frederick William Herschel publishes “On the parallax of the fixed stars”.
Autograph letter signed by sender. Thanks for the loan of his paper on the parallax. Regarding Wilhelm Struve's paper.
2 March 1826 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/63
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is sending his paper on the aberration so that it can be laid before the Board of Longitude. Also sending new table for the measurement of heights by means of the barometer. Regarding the distribution of the Memoirs to Associates.
1 April 1826 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/64
Autograph letter signed by sender. Thanks for valuable communication, which will be laid before the Board of Longitude. Has completed own paper for the Astronomical Society. J. F. Encke has sent more copies of the proof-map. Ernesto Capocci's observations of the comet similar to his own. Has been unable to use Charles Tully's or John Ramage's telescopes yet owing to clouds.
2 April 1826 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/65
Autographed letter, incomplete. Remarks on Francis Baily's address on astronomy [fragment only].
22 April 1826 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/66
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Thanks for valuable communication, which will be laid before the Board of Longitude. Has completed own paper for the Astronomical Society. J. F. Encke has sent more copies of the proof-map. Ernesto Capocci's observations of the comet similar to his own. Has been unable to use Charles Tully's or John Ramage's telescopes yet owing to clouds.
2 April 1826 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/232
Copy of incomplete letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Remarks on Francis Baily's address on astronomy [fragment only].
22 April 1826 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/233
Autograph letter signed by sender. Francis Baily has seen P. M. Roget and Stephen Groombridge, who both give their support to Charles Babbage's election. Francis Baily is very concerned about the lack of an Royal Society [of London] Council meeting when most council members would attend.
23 November 1826 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/27/7
Extract from letter in Herschel's hand. One side crossed out. On 23 Nov. in the evening, at what John Frederick William Herschel calls an irregular meeting of the Royal Society [of London], J. G. Children was elected Secretary, to serve with John Frederick William Herschel, who had been secretary for some years. John Frederick William Herschel urges that the Royal Society [of London] and its members must now rise beyond this shabbiness and move ahead.
25 November 1826 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/27/8Contemporary copy in sender's hand, signed by sender, damaged. On 23 Nov. in the evening, at what John Frederick William Herschel calls an irregular meeting of the Royal Society [of London], J. G. Children was elected Secretary, to serve with John Frederick William Herschel, who had been secretary for some years. John Frederick William Herschel urges that the Royal Society [of London] and its members must now rise beyond this shabbiness and move ahead.
25 November 1826 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/27/14Joseph Nicéphore Niépce presents his photographs in England for the first time
1827
Autograph letter signed by sender. Further regarding his theory of measuring heights by means of the barometer.
28 January 1827 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/67
Autograph letter signed by sender. Will be traveling to Hampshire. Agrees with Richard Sheepshanks over the papers on the Comet. Hopes John Frederick William Herschel will be able to visit him in Hampshire. Remarks on J. B. Delambre's History of Astronomy.
28 August 1827 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/68
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is sending him a proofsheet of the first of his charts of the zodiac. Does he think the work worthwhile, and is it suitable for printing in the Memoirs?
6 November 1827 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/69
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has just had a letter from W. S. Stratford announcing his decision to resign from the secretaryship of the Astronomical Society. Comments on this. He himself is also thinking of resigning the Presidency at the Anniversary meeting. Regarding the microscopes.
20 December 1827 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/70
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding the possibility of losing the services of W. S. Stratford, and also the president (John Frederick William Herschel). Lord High Admiral will be balloted for at the next meeting.
29 December 1827 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/71
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Has just had a letter from W. S. Stratford announcing his decision to resign from the secretaryship of the Astronomical Society. Comments on this. He himself is also thinking of resigning the Presidency at the Anniversary meeting. Regarding the microscopes.
20 December 1827 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/268
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regrets he was unable to dine with him on Monday. Regarding the secretary of the Astronomical Society. Will meet him at the Royal Society [of London] on Tuesday.
7 January 1828 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/72
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding the possibility of the Astronomical Society providing one or two pendulums. Remarks on pendulums. F. W. Bessel has been experimenting with pendulums.
26 January 1828 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/73
Autograph letter signed by sender. Would Francis Baily take the chair at the next meeting as he is busy nebulae-hunting. Regarding a printer for the papers of the Astronomical Society. Would like his own paper printed before June. Discusses J. J. Littrow's optical paper. Sends article on Light, which he has written for the Encyclopaedia Metropolitana.
12 March 1828 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/74
Autographed letter . Thanks for his paper on light. Regarding the meeting on Friday. Pendulums. Invitation to dine with him. Geological Society has been offered room; would like him to think about the possibility of one for the Astronomical Society.
20 March 1828 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/75
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding letters from J. L. Tiarks concerning Saturn, and Dr. K. L. C. Rümker concerning J. C. Borda's pendulum at Parramatta.
17 April 1828 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/76
Autograph letter signed by sender. Remarks on Saturn and measurable discs of stars.
21 April 1828 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/77
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding the meeting, and the papers read last Friday. Invitation to dine with him and Sir Thomas Brisbane. Regarding Brisbane's observations. Various Astronomical Society affairs.
10 May 1828 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/78
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is glad Thomas Brisbane was in the chair at the meeting. Will be pleased to join the party on Friday. The Parramatta observations. Someone to supervise their publication. His own recent observations.
12 May 1828 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/79
Autograph letter signed by sender. Invitation to dine with him. Regarding Richard Taylor the printer.
17 June 1828 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/80
Autograph letter signed by sender. Charles Babbage has every reason to be grateful for Francis Baily's letter to the Times. Richard Sheepshanks and the observations. The ring of Saturn. Has been observing lots of Wilhelm Struve's double stars.
29 June 1828 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/81
Autograph letter signed by sender. Further regarding Richard Taylor the printer. Reports on observations of Mars by William Pearson. John Frederick William Herschel's new micrometer is aiding his observations of double stars.
11 July 1828 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/82
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding the printing for the Astronomical Society. Errors in Francis Baily's astronomical tables.
14 July 1828 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/83
Autograph letter signed by sender. Thanks for the two communications. J. F. Encke's work on the Ephemeris. Francis Beaufort's remarks concerning Richard Taylor the printer. Hoping for fine weather for observations.
26 July 1828 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/84
Autograph letter signed by sender. Further invitation to visit him at Tytherley. Will be using a new telescope. William Wallace's paper for the Monthly Notices.
22 August 1828 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/85
Autograph letter signed by sender. Instructions on how to reach Tytherley. Has not seen Encke's Comet yet.
18 September 1828 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/86
Autograph letter signed by sender. His own paper on moon culminating stars for 1829 is now printed. Time Encke's Comet was visible. Foreign encouragement for science. Remarks on pendulum experiments.
21 October 1828 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/87
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Would Francis Baily take the chair at the next meeting as he is busy nebulae-hunting. Regarding a printer for the papers of the Astronomical Society. Would like his own paper printed before June. Discusses J. J. Littrow's optical paper. Sends article on Light, which he has written for the Encyclopaedia Metropolitana.
12 March 1828 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/4
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Remarks on Saturn and measurable discs of stars.
21 April 1828 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/8
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Is glad Thomas Brisbane was in the chair at the meeting. Will be pleased to join the party on Friday. The Parramatta observations. Someone to supervise their publication. His own recent observations.
12 May 1828 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/9
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Charles Babbage has every reason to be grateful for Francis Baily's letter to the Times. Richard Sheepshanks and the observations. The ring of Saturn. Has been observing lots of Wilhelm Struve's double stars.
29 June 1828 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/12
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Further regarding Richard Taylor the printer. Reports on observations of Mars by William Pearson. John Frederick William Herschel's new micrometer is aiding his observations of double stars.
11 July 1828 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/14John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart are married in London
3 March 1829
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding F. W. Bessel's instrument for his zone observations. Who was the first to publish lunar distances from the planets?
15 February 1829 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/88
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding apartments for the Astronomical Society at Somerset House. G. B. Airy called and left a parcel for John Frederick William Herschel.
10 November 1829 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/89
Autograph letter signed by sender. Will be unable to attend the Council Meeting of the Astronomical Society. Gives his views on accommodation for the Astronomical Society at Somerset House. J. Soldner's tables. Will send for G. B. Airy's parcel.
11 November 1829 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/90
Draft letter signed by sender, with some visible corrections. Will be unable to attend the Council Meeting of the Astronomical Society. Gives his views on accommodation for the Astronomical Society at Somerset House. J. Soldner's tables. Will send for G. B. Airy's parcel.
11 November 1829 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/91
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Will be unable to attend the Council Meeting of the Astronomical Society. Gives his views on accommodation for the Astronomical Society at Somerset House. J. Soldner's tables. Will send for G. B. Airy's parcel.
11 November 1829 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/49John 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. Concerning the necessity for two observatories in the Southern Hemisphere.
19 December 1830 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/92
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Concerning the necessity for two observatories in the Southern Hemisphere.
19 December 1830 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/76Mary 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. Has been obtaining information for his report on the observatories. Is John Frederick William Herschel's paper ready to be printed? Will be able to economize on the printing of the Greenwich Observations.
19 February 1831 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/93
Autograph letter signed by sender. Notifying him of a forthcoming meeting of the Council of the Royal Astronomical Society Report is ready.
1 March 1831 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/94
Autograph letter signed by sender. Vacant rooms at Somerset House and possibility of the Royal Astronomical Society being allocated some. Suggests a meeting with Frederick Augustus (Duke of Sussex) to press their cause.
19 May 1831 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/95
Autograph letter signed by sender. Further remarks on the possibility of rooms for the Royal Astronomical Society at Somerset House. Will be pleased to see him at the visitation. Is working on a paper on the proper motion of the stars.
21 May 1831 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/96
Extracts of a letter in Herschel's hand, signed by sender. Text in quotations. His views on seeing Frederick Augustus (Duke of Sussex) about rooms for the Royal Astronomical Society, and the actions of the Duke.
8 June 1831 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/97
Autograph letter signed by sender. His views on seeing Frederick Augustus (Duke of Sussex) about rooms for the Royal Astronomical Society, and the actions of the Duke.
8 June 1831 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/98
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has met Frederick Augustus (Duke of Sussex), who would be pleased to receive a deputation. The Council of the Royal Astronomical Society have appointed a deputation, including John Frederick William Herschel. F. W. Bessel's innovation with observations.
10 June 1831 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/99
Autograph letter signed by sender. John Brinkley (Bishop of Cloyne) is in town and is to dine with him next week. Hopes John Frederick William Herschel can join him.
27 July 1831 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/100
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regrets that John Frederick William Herschel could not dine with him and John Brinkley (Bishop of Cloyne). Has had a letter from the Admiralty about a grant to [T. J.?] Hussey.
5 August 1831 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/101
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends the orbit of 70 Ophiuchi. Is progressing with the reductions of his sweeps. Justifies the method of printing adopted for [Stephen] Groombridge's catalogue.
19 December 1831 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/102
Autograph letter signed by sender. Thanks for the paper on Ophiuchi. On the value of John Frederick William Herschel's works. Printing of [Stephen] Groombridge's catalogue. Candidates for medals awarded by the Royal Astronomical Society
24 December 1831 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/103
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. His views on seeing Frederick Augustus (Duke of Sussex) about rooms for the Royal Astronomical Society, and the actions of the Duke.
8 June 1831 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/83
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Sends the orbit of 70 Ophiuchi. Is progressing with the reductions of his sweeps. Justifies the method of printing adopted for [Stephen] Groombridge's catalogue.
19 December 1831 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/96
Contemporary copy in sender's hand, signed by sender. Provides Francis Baily, Chairman of the Greenwich Visitation Committee, with detailed recommendations for the preparation of catalogues coming out of the Greenwich observations.
10 February 1831 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/1/19
Contemporary copy in sender's hand, signed by sender. More on the observations and publication of results of the Greenwich Observatory [see John Frederick William Herschel's 1831-2-10].
21 February 1831 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/1/22
Contemporary copy in sender's hand, signed by sender. Recommends some changes in committee report being prepared that deals with the use to be made of the Royal Observatory's observational data.
8 April 1831 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/2/3
Contemporary copy in sender's hand, signed by sender. Suggests an improvement in measuring techniques for astronomical observations, by making the angular measurement by direct and then reflected vision. John Frederick William Herschel wonders whether this idea might be appended to a paper currently under consideration by the Royal Astronomical Society
13 May 1831 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/2/6
Autograph letter signed by sender. Thanks for his remarks on his own work on double stars. Regarding award of the medals of the Royal Astronomical Society Method of printing [Stephen] Groombridge's catalogue.
1 January 1832 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/104
Draft letter signed by sender, some corrections visible. Thanks for his remarks on his own work on double stars. Regarding award of the medals of the Royal Astronomical Society Method of printing [Stephen] Groombridge's catalogue.
1 January 1832 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/105
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is sending a copy of N. L. Lacaille's catalogue of principal stars. New observer in Yorkshire, a Mr. Beaumont. Pendulum theories known in France, and printed, but not apparently generally known. Is working on new paper for the Royal Society [of London] on various kinds of pendulums.
18 March 1832 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/106
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is to dine with Frederick Augustus (Duke of Sussex). Regarding pendulums and French theorists. Will be pleased to see his paper on proper motion when ready. Regarding new amateur astronomers.
18 March 1832 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/107
Draft letter in Herschel's hand with corrections. Is to dine with Frederick Augustus (Duke of Sussex). Regarding pendulums and French theorists. Will be pleased to see his paper on proper motion when ready. Regarding new amateur astronomers.
19 March 1832 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/108
Autograph letter signed by sender. Passing on the offer of assistance by Frederick Augustus (Duke of Sussex) for John Frederick William Herschel's projected visit to the Cape of Good Hope.
22 April 1832 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/109
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is grateful for the offer of assistance from Frederick Augustus (Duke of Sussex), but would not care to avail himself of public funds as his intended visit is for his own private reasons.
24 April 1832 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/110
Autograph letter signed by sender. Would he inform him of the date of the next visitation meeting. Will bring his own catalogue of double stars for the next the Royal Astronomical Society meeting. Thanks for his paper on proper motion.
17 May 1832 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/111
Autograph letter signed by sender. Giving the dates of the visitation day. Also the date of the next meeting of the Royal Astronomical Society Has been experimenting with pendulums.
21 May 1832 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/112
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has forwarded the parcel as requested. Is unable to send O. F. Mossotti's parcel as he does not know his address. Wilhelm Olbers' letter is being translated. Attended a committee meeting of the Royal Society [of London] on a new telescope. Printing of the Memoirs has been delayed.
18 December 1832 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/113
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Is to dine with Frederick Augustus (Duke of Sussex). Regarding pendulums and French theorists. Will be pleased to see his paper on proper motion when ready. Regarding new amateur astronomers.
18 March 1832 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/105
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Is grateful for the offer of assistance from Frederick Augustus (Duke of Sussex), but would not care to avail himself of public funds as his intended visit is for his own private reasons.
24 April 1832 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/106
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Would he inform him of the date of the next visitation meeting. Will bring his own catalogue of double stars for the next the Royal Astronomical Society meeting. Thanks for his paper on proper motion.
17 May 1832 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/108
Copy of a letter. Is sending, for communication to the Royal Astronomical Society, observations on Biela's comet and a speculation on comets.
21 October 1832 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/118
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Thanks for his remarks on his own work on double stars. Regarding award of the medals of the Royal Astronomical Society Method of printing [Stephen] Groombridge's catalogue.
1 January 1832 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/127Sir 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. Must see him on an important matter.
29 January 1833 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/114
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has received a note from J. C. Spencer (Lord Althorp) stating that a grant of £500 is available for them [the Royal Astronomical Society?]. He has acknowledged it.
3 August 1833 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/115
Autograph letter signed by sender. Thanks for the gift of pheasants. Would he receive John Frederick William Herschel's medal from the Royal Society [of London] for him and keep it until he can collect it. Will call on him next week.
15 October 1833 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/116
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is at present in town. Sorry he was out when John Frederick William Herschel called. What shall he do with John Frederick William Herschel's barometer? Thanks for the telescopic tests.
19 September 1833 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/117
Autograph letter signed by sender. Thanks for the pheasants. Has a communication for the Royal Astronomical Society
21 October 1833 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/118
Autograph letter signed by sender. Waiting for the ship to be repaired. Has sent him his paper on satellites. Would like 100 offprints. Just about to go on board ship.
12 November 1833 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/119
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Has received a note from J. C. Spencer (Lord Althorp) stating that a grant of £500 is available for them [the Royal Astronomical Society?]. He has acknowledged it.
3 August 1833 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/143
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Thanks for the gift of pheasants. Would he receive John Frederick William Herschel's medal from the Royal Society [of London] for him and keep it until he can collect it. Will call on him next week.
15 October 1833 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/150
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Thanks for the pheasants. Has a communication for the Royal Astronomical Society
21 October 1833 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/152Birth of Margaret Louisa Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1834
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has arrived safely and unpacked his instruments. Has seen a suitable house for his observatory. Difficulty with the female servant brought from England. Has met Thomas Maclear. Difficulties of the latter.
23 January 1834 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/120
Autograph letter signed by sender. Hopes he is safely landed. The government have agreed to give financial assistance to set up an observatory at Edinburgh. Financial difficulties at the Royal Society [of London] Dispute between James South and Edward Troughton. Admiralty has referred the question of the printing of [Stephen] Groombridge's catalogue to Francis Baily and G. B. Airy. Has received the Royal Medals on behalf of John Frederick William Herschel. John Frederick William Herschel has also been awarded the Lalande medal.
12 February 1834 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/121
Autograph letter signed by sender. the Royal Astronomical Society has been allocated rooms at Somerset House. The James South affair has been submitted to referees. Has discovered a large collection of John Flamsteed's papers at the Greenwich Observatory.
18 August 1834 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/122
Autograph letter signed by sender. Situation at the Cape of Good Hope. John Frederick William Herschel's astronomical observations.
22 October 1834 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/123
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Has arrived safely and unpacked his instruments. Has seen a suitable house for his observatory. Difficulty with the female servant brought from England. Has met Thomas Maclear. Difficulties of the latter.
23 January 1834 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/154
Contemporary copy in sender's hand, signed by sender. Describes the departure of an expedition north of the Cape, as well as the pleasures of the country and the beautiful skies for observing. The delivery of mail is, however, so erratic as to be vexatious.
11 July 1834 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/3/20
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Situation at the Cape of Good Hope. John Frederick William Herschel's astronomical observations.
22 October 1834 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/4/3
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has arrived safely and unpacked his instruments. Has seen a suitable house for his observatory. Difficulty with the female servant brought from England. Has met Thomas Maclear. Difficulties of the latter.
23 January 1834 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/1
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Situation at the Cape of Good Hope. John Frederick William Herschel's astronomical observations.
22 October 1834 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/2Sir 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. This letter is being delivered by a Capt. William Edie of the 98th, recently returned from Andrew Smith's expedition up the Caledon River, in the Orange Free State.
10 March 1835 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/124
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends papers of astronomical observations by a Capt. J. A. Lloyd of Mauritius. G. T. Napier's projected plan for an observatory at Canton.
12 March 1835 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/125
Autograph letter signed by sender. Introducing a Mr. Fraser, who is interested in the setting up of an observatory at Inverness.
19 May 1835 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/126
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding meteorology. John Pond has resigned as Astronomer Royal and G. B. Airy been appointed in his place. Has finished his own account of John Flamsteed and sent it to the press. Is drawing up a report for the new standard scale.
14 July 1835 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/127
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sending some observations of double stars. Has had some of the sheets of the Brisbane Catalogue. His recent observations. Domestic affairs in the Cape of Good Hope.
17 August 1835 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/128
Autograph letter signed by sender. C. P. Smyth has arrived. Remarks on the Brisbane Catalogue. Thanks for his meteorological observations. His own meteorological observations. Affairs in the Cape.
22 October 1835 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/129
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has reduced almost the whole catalogue of Southern stars. Comments on these. Is proceeding with his sweeps. Has seen Halley's Comet. Phenomenon of shooting stars. Has had a slight earthquake. Is thinking of returning via Rio de Janeiro.
4 December 1835 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/130
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Sending some observations of double stars. Has had some of the sheets of the Brisbane Catalogue. His recent observations. Domestic affairs in the Cape of Good Hope.
17 August 1835 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/4/13
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. C. P. Smyth has arrived. Remarks on the Brisbane Catalogue. Thanks for his meteorological observations. His own meteorological observations. Affairs in the Cape.
22 October 1835 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/4/16
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Has reduced almost the whole catalogue of Southern stars. Comments on these. Is proceeding with his sweeps. Has seen Halley's Comet. Phenomenon of shooting stars. Has had a slight earthquake. Is thinking of returning via Rio de Janeiro.
4 December 1835 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/4/17
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. This letter is being delivered by a Capt. William Edie of the 98th, recently returned from Andrew Smith's expedition up the Caledon River, in the Orange Free State.
10 March 1835 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/3
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Sends papers of astronomical observations by a Capt. J. A. Lloyd of Mauritius. G. T. Napier's projected plan for an observatory at Canton.
12 March 1835 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/4
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Introducing a Mr. Fraser, who is interested in the setting up of an observatory at Inverness.
19 May 1835 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/5
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Sending some observations of double stars. Has had some of the sheets of the Brisbane Catalogue. His recent observations. Domestic affairs in the Cape of Good Hope.
17 August 1835 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/6
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. C. P. Smyth has arrived. Remarks on the Brisbane Catalogue. Thanks for his meteorological observations. His own meteorological observations. Affairs in the Cape.
22 October 1835 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/7
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Has reduced almost the whole catalogue of Southern stars. Comments on these. Is proceeding with his sweeps. Has seen Halley's Comet. Phenomenon of shooting stars. Has had a slight earthquake. Is thinking of returning via Rio de Janeiro.
4 December 1835 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/8Birth of Alexander Stewart Herschel, son of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
5 February 1836
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has sent copies of various star catalogues. Regarding the Brisbane Catalogue and its accuracy. The Royal Astronomical Society has awarded John Frederick William Herschel its medal. J. J. Littrow and the appearance of the comet.
18 January 1836 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/131
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding the double star Gamma Virginis.
27 February 1836 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/132
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding the Brisbane Catalogue. John Frederick William Herschel's discoveries relating to the moon. The James South lawsuit still hangs on. Is about to depart for Scotland. W. S. Stratford has finished his ephemeris of Halley's Comet.
2 May 1836 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/133
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding his own observations of the recent solar eclipse. Is sending G. B. Airy's report on Alexander von Humboldt's letter on magnetic observations.
8 July 1836 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/134
Autograph letter signed by sender. Further regarding the phenomenon of the shooting stars in America in November. Operation on Frederick Augustus (Duke of Sussex). Is preparing a paper on the recent solar eclipse.
16 August 1836 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/135
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has received the Royal medal from the Royal Society [of London] on John Frederick William Herschel's behalf. Shooting star phenomenon seen in France and Scotland. The Americans are preparing an expedition to the South Pole. Has constructed two pendulums.
1 December 1836 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/136
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding the gales which swept England at the end of November.
8 December 1836 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/137Victoria 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. Has been very busy observing so has had little time to spare for writing letters. Remarks on the recent star catalogues which he has received. Would Francis Baily bring Capt. J. A. Lloyd's case to Frederick Augustus (Duke of Sussex). Sun spots. Meteors in N. America and those at the Cape.
1 March 1837 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/138
Autograph letter signed by sender. Would Francis Baily convey his thanks to the Royal Society [of London] for the award of their medal. Has observed the whole of the southern hemisphere twice. Is pleased to hear of the American support for science.
7 April 1837 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/139
Autograph letter signed by sender. Frederick Augustus (Duke of Sussex) has still not visited the Royal Society [of London] Will discuss J. A. Lloyd's case with the Duke at the first opportunity. Home news. Will continue to forward pamphlets.
26 June 1837 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/140
Autograph letter signed by sender. Observations regarding the nebulous star 1281.
16 December 1837 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/141
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Has been very busy observing so has had little time to spare for writing letters. Remarks on the recent star catalogues which he has received. Would Francis Baily bring Capt. J. A. Lloyd's case to Frederick Augustus (Duke of Sussex). Sun spots. Meteors in N. America and those at the Cape.
1 March 1837 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/5/6
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Has been very busy observing so has had little time to spare for writing letters. Remarks on the recent star catalogues which he has received. Would Francis Baily bring Capt. J. A. Lloyd's case to Frederick Augustus (Duke of Sussex). Sun spots. Meteors in N. America and those at the Cape.
1 March 1837 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/9
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Would Francis Baily convey his thanks to the Royal Society [of London] for the award of their medal. Has observed the whole of the southern hemisphere twice. Is pleased to hear of the American support for science.
7 April 1837 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/10
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Observations regarding the nebulous star 1281.
16 December 1837 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/11Sir 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. Is on the point of leaving town for a few days. Is preparing reductions of the observations of N. L. Lacaille.
30 August 1838 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/142
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding the catalogue of N. L. Lacaille. Has sent the resolution regarding the Polar expedition to Hugh Percy (3rd Duke of Northumberland). Must postpone introducing the business concerning the Cape Town Observatory.
2 September 1838 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/143
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has had a letter from William Lamb (2nd Viscount Melbourne) regarding the Polar expedition. Is not interested in becoming president of the Royal Society [of London] in succession to Frederick Augustus (Duke of Sussex). Has he the case of H. C. Schumacher's snuff box?
17 September 1838 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/144
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has received a long letter from F. W. Bessel regarding the discovery of the parallax of a fixed star.
23 October 1838 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/145
Autograph letter signed by sender. Would he send more details of F. W. Bessel's communication so that it can be read at the next meeting of the Royal Astronomical Society
24 October 1838 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/146
Copy of a letter. Arrangements about meeting with Francis Baily.
17 May 1838 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/245
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Regarding the catalogue of N. L. Lacaille. Has sent the resolution regarding the Polar expedition to Hugh Percy (3rd Duke of Northumberland). Must postpone introducing the business concerning the Cape Town Observatory.
2 September 1838 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/12
Copy of letter. Forwards some material from William Lamb [Lord Melbourne]; John Frederick William Herschel wants to stop any rumors that he is available for the presidency of the Royal Society [of London]
16? September 1838 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/13
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Has received a long letter from F. W. Bessel regarding the discovery of the parallax of a fixed star.
23 October 1838 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/14Sir 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. At the recent council meeting of the Royal Astronomical Society, John Frederick William Herschel was nominated as president. Is returning the letters of F. W. Bessel.
12 January 1839 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/147
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is honored by being nominated as president but would prefer someone else as he is very busy and can ill spare the time.
14 January 1839 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/148
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regrets that he cannot change the mind of the council of the Royal Astronomical Society over its nomination of John Frederick William Herschel as president.
20 January 1839 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/149
Autograph letter signed by sender. Unable to see him as he has another meeting to attend. Regarding the loan of the Royal Astronomical Society's theodolite to Thomas Maclear. Two foreign members have been proposed for the Royal Astronomical Society
15 February 1839 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/150
Autograph letter signed by sender. Approves of the arrangements made by Francis Baily regarding the loan of the theodolite.
15 February 1839 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/151
Autograph letter signed by sender. Will compare the standards later. Has sent the theodolite to the Admiralty and received a letter of thanks. Thomas Maclear's paper on N. L. Lacaille's star positions will be read at the next meeting of the Royal Astronomical Society
25 February 1839 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/152
Autograph letter signed by sender. Will come up to town so that they can work on Thomas Maclear's four foot scale standard. News of the Glasgow Observatory.
26 February 1839 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/153
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding the four foot scale standard of Thomas Maclear. Will be pleased to see him on Thursday. The Royal Astronomical Society has had a letter from the Treasury regarding a grant for Glasgow Observatory.
2 March 1839 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/154
Autograph letter signed by sender. Finds that he is unable to attend the Council Meeting so would Francis Baily take the chair. Business to be brought before council. Ernesto Capocci has seen a spot on the sun.
9 April 1839 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/155
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is sending a packet and several letters. Events at the last council meeting. Will read Ernesto Capocci's letter at the next meeting of the Royal Astronomical Society
13 April 1839 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/156
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is sending some drawings of the comet, which had been mislaid. Thomas Maclear's paper is being referred to John Frederick William Herschel for his corrections. Will discuss which drawings are to be included.
15 April 1839 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/157
Autograph letter signed by sender. On the variability of the star Alpha Cassiopeia.
28 April 1839 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/158
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has marked Thomas Maclear's paper and returned it to Thomas Galloway.
28 April 1839 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/159
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has had a letter from [John?] Phillips regarding star nomenclature revision. The display of meteors on the 10th was very fine.
12 August 1839 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/160
Autograph letter signed by sender. Thomas Brisbane's application to the government for increase of power at the Parramatta Observatory. Can John Frederick William Herschel dine with him?
24 September 1839 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/161
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding the Parramatta Observatory. Has produced some colored photographic images.
27 September 1839 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/162
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has written to G. B. Airy about the Cavendish experiment and encloses his diagram and letter.
11 November 1839 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/163
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses a letter to the Admiralty for John Frederick William Herschel's signature.
15 November 1839 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/164
Autograph letter signed by sender. Further regarding the Cavendish experiments.
17 November 1839 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/165
Draft letter signed by sender, corrections visible. Further regarding the Cavendish experiments.
17 November 1839 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/166
Autograph letter signed by sender. Invitation to spend the night with him after the Royal Society [of London] dinner on the Saturday.
28 November 1839 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/167
Autograph letter signed by sender. Fears that he will be unable to attend the Anniversary meeting. Has written to G. B. Airy concerning Orionis.
29 November 1839 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/168
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is sorry John Frederick William Herschel was unable to be with them at the Anniversary meeting. Has had a further letter from the Admiralty regarding a pendulum.
2 December 1839 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/169
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has had no further tidings of the pendulum so has drafted the enclosed letter.
6 December 1839 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/170
Autograph letter signed by sender. Observations of [Kensa?] received. The George Everest-Thomas Jervis affair.
1839? Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/283
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Is honored by being nominated as president but would prefer someone else as he is very busy and can ill spare the time.
14 January 1839 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/15
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Approves of the arrangements made by Francis Baily regarding the loan of the theodolite.
15 February 1839 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/16
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Will come up to town so that they can work on Thomas Maclear's four foot scale standard. News of the Glasgow Observatory.
26 February 1839 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/17
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Finds that he is unable to attend the Council Meeting so would Francis Baily take the chair. Business to be brought before council. Ernesto Capocci has seen a spot on the sun.
9 April 1839 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/18
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Has marked Thomas Maclear's paper and returned it to Thomas Galloway.
28 April 1839 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/19
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. On the variability of the star Alpha Cassiopeia.
28 April 1839 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/20
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Has had a letter from [John?] Phillips regarding star nomenclature revision. The display of meteors on the 10th was very fine.
12 August 1839 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/21
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Regarding the Parramatta Observatory. Has produced some colored photographic images.
27 September 1839 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/22
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Further regarding the Cavendish experiments.
17 November 1839 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/23
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Fears that he will be unable to attend the Anniversary meeting. Has written to G. B. Airy concerning Orionis.
29 November 1839 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/24Sir 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. Invitation to spend the night with him when he comes to town for the council meetings of the Royal and Astronomical Societies.
3 January 1840 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/171
Autograph letter signed by sender. Will be pleased to avail himself of the offer of a bed when the council meets. Will prepare a paper on Alpha Orionis for the Friday meeting. Can Francis Baily give him any ideas for the Anniversary address?
4 January 1840 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/172
Autograph letter signed by sender. Will be expecting him on Thursday.
7 January 1840 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/173
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has had a letter from H. C. Schumacher announcing his discovery of a new comet in Draco. There is to be a Royal Society [of London] Council on Thursday.
3 February 1840 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/174
Autograph letter signed by sender. John Frederick William Herschel did not miss anything by being absent from the council meetings of the Royal Society [of London] and the Royal Astronomical Society
8 February 1840 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/175
Autograph letter signed by sender. They should not refuse H. C. Schumacher's request. Regarding a diploma for the King of Denmark.
19 February 1840 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/176
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is the Royal Astronomical Society to send an address to the Queen? The diploma is ready for the King of Denmark.
4 March 1840 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/177
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding an address to the Queen. Hopes to see him on Thursday.
6 March 1840 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/178
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has sent the letter and diploma to the King of Denmark. Regarding the printing of Thomas Maclear's paper on N. L. Lacaille. H. C. Schumacher has seen a third comet.
21 March 1840 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/179
Autograph letter signed by sender. Received a 5-ft. Newtonian reflector from John Frederick William Herschel's aunt Caroline; is offering it to the Royal Astronomical Society John Frederick William Herschel is on the verge of moving to Collingwood.
14 April 1840 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/180
Autograph letter signed by sender. Should think that the Royal Astronomical Society would be pleased to receive the 5-ft. telescope. Regarding the printing of Thomas Maclear's paper. H. C. Schumacher has sent a paper by Wilhelm Olbers on the constellations.
20 April 1840 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/181
Autograph letter signed by sender. Would Francis Baily deputize for him at the council meeting on Friday as he is unable to attend. Letter from F. W. Bessel regarding 61 Cygni. Has written to G. B. Airy regarding Thomas Maclear's paper.
6 May 1840 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/182
Autograph letter signed by sender. Invitation to Hawkhurst. Has plenty of Royal Society [of London] work to keep him from his observational work. Question of a new observatory. Has had letter from Wilhelm Struve regarding the fifteen-inch object glass.
8 June 1840 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/183
Autograph letter signed by sender. Thanks for his invitation. N. L. Lacaille's observations are in process of reduction and work is continuing on the constellations. Regarding the project for a new observatory. Greenwich observation could probably cover a wider field if staff were increased. Has received a silver medal for John Frederick William Herschel from Wilhelm Struve. Government is to print Thomas Maclear's paper. T. G. Taylor has arrived from Madras bringing his fifth volume of observations.
10 July 1840 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/184
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses observations on a comet by Carl Bremiker for the next meeting of the Royal Astronomical Society Will be unable to attend many of the meetings for this session. F. W. Bessel has lost his only son. C. F. Gauss's researches into the motion of the sun.
8 November 1840 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/185
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has sent his communication on the comet to various observatories and the Times. Will consider candidates for medals at the next council meeting.
11 November 1840 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/186
Autograph letter signed by sender. It was a quiet meeting at the Royal Astronomical Society Medals have been appropriated by the Royal Society [of London] Presumes he has had notice of the next visitation. Will be pleased to see him when in town. A new comet is to be seen.
20 November 1840 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/187
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding the award of the Royal Medal of the Royal Society [of London] Is unable to come to town. Regarding the appointment of visitors to the Royal Observatory. Is preparing a paper on celestial reform.
23 November 1840 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/188
Contemporary copy letter in Herschel's hand, some passages omitted. Regarding the award of the Royal Medal of the Royal Society [of London] Is unable to come to town. Regarding the appointment of visitors to the Royal Observatory. Is preparing a paper on celestial reform.
23 November 1840 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/189
Autograph letter signed by sender. Will communicate John Frederick William Herschel's remarks concerning the Royal Medal to the Royal Society [of London] council. Regarding the constitution of the Board of Visitors. He is now printing the star catalogues of Edmund Halley, Tycho Brahe, etc.
24 November 1840 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/190
Autograph letter signed by sender. Correcting a statement he made in his letter of 24 Nov. [see John Frederick William Herschel's 1840-11-24], regarding the members of the Royal Astronomical Society and Royal Society [of London] who are also members of the Board of Visitors.
25 November 1840 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/191
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding the award of the Royal Society [of London]'s Royal Medal.
27 November 1840 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/192
Autographed letter, incomplete. Regarding the arrangement of the constellations.
10 December 1840 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/193
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding the planning of the constellations. Is having success with his own Cavendish experiments.
15 December 1840 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/194
Autograph letter signed by sender. Giving news of his own recent work on the grouping of the constellations.
30 December 1840 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/195
Copy of a letter. Will attend R.A.S council and stay with Francis Baily; question of expulsion of three members.
9 February 1840 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/42
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 avail himself of the offer of a bed when the council meets. Will prepare a paper on Alpha Orionis for the Friday meeting. Can Francis Baily give him any ideas for the Anniversary address?
4 January 1840 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/25
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Received a 5-ft. Newtonian reflector from John Frederick William Herschel's aunt Caroline; is offering it to the Royal Astronomical Society John Frederick William Herschel is on the verge of moving to Collingwood.
14 April 1840 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/26
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Would Francis Baily deputize for him at the council meeting on Friday as he is unable to attend. Letter from F. W. Bessel regarding 61 Cygni. Has written to G. B. Airy regarding Thomas Maclear's paper.
6 May 1840 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/27
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Invitation to Hawkhurst. Has plenty of Royal Society [of London] work to keep him from his observational work. Question of a new observatory. Has had letter from Wilhelm Struve regarding the fifteen-inch object glass.
8 June 1840 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/28
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Encloses observations on a comet by Carl Bremiker for the next meeting of the Royal Astronomical Society Will be unable to attend many of the meetings for this session. F. W. Bessel has lost his only son. C. F. Gauss's researches into the motion of the sun.
8 November 1840 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/29
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Regarding the award of the Royal Medal of the Royal Society [of London] Is unable to come to town. Regarding the appointment of visitors to the Royal Observatory. Is preparing a paper on celestial reform.
23 November 1840 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/30
Copy of incomplete letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Regarding the arrangement of the constellations.
10 December 1840 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/31
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Giving news of his own recent work on the grouping of the constellations.
30 December 1840 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/32
Copy of a letter. Indicates travel plans, including a visit to Francis Baily, with a side trip for business to Slough. John Frederick William Herschel comments on some astronomical observations he has received.
1840-4 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/65
Copy of a letter. Has not had time to work on the constellations paper because of interference due to tithe surveys and land re-assessments, which John Frederick William Herschel fears may involve a lawsuit.
1840-12? Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/14/5Sir 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. Latest news of his Cavendish experiments. Will get the star maps printed for him. There is to be a meeting of the Council of the Royal Astronomical Society to consider the award of medals.
2 January 1841 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/196
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is sorry to hear of his illness. The Royal Astronomical Society has awarded its medal to F. W. Bessel. Robert Main's paper on parallax is being printed. Is to be a meeting of the Standards Committee in February. Has arranged the printing of the star maps. John Wrottesley is to be the next president of the Royal Astronomical Society
9 January 1841 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/197
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is sending him a circumpolar projection of the Southern stars. Regarding the star maps being printed by John Arrowsmith. Will visit him the following week. Has received Robert Main's paper.
26 January 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/198
Autograph letter signed by sender. Will be pleased to accommodate him. Star map is being printed. Encloses a paper on Sound by Dr. R. J. Kane, for his comments.
28 January 1841 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/199
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends letter on the subject of the star maps.
2 April 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/200
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding the payment of John Arrowsmith's bill for the printing of the star maps, which seems excessive in relation to the low standard achieved. Would like Francis Baily's comments.
2 April 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/201
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has communicated John Frederick William Herschel's remarks to John Arrowsmith. Is sorry for the inconvenience caused.
6 April 1841 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/202
Autograph letter signed by sender. Would like some dry prints of the star map, if no further expense is involved. Is sorry that he has caused him all the bother.
10 April 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/203
Autograph letter signed by sender. John Arrowsmith has undertaken to make further copies of the star maps on dry paper, free of charge.
15 April 1841 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/204
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has seen John Arrowsmith, who has sent the maps to John Frederick William Herschel. There is to be a meeting of the Standards Commission.
22 May 1841 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/206
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has received the maps from John Arrowsmith and sends a blank check for Francis Baily to fill in correct amount to pay the bill. Is unable to attend the Standard Commission meeting. Hopes Francis Baily can visit him in the summer.
26 May 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/207
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is sending him his chart of the stars.
8 June 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/208
Autograph letter signed by sender. John Frederick William Herschel's paper was read last evening and was well received. Astronomical Council has decided to print it immediately. Would like his opinion on the printing of various parts. Has paid John Arrowsmith's bill.
12 June 1841 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/209
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding the printing of the star map. Is pleased to hear that the Francis Bailys are coming to spend a few days at Hawkhurst.
15 June 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/210
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is slowly recovering from his accident. Query regarding the reduction of N. L. Lacaille's stars, and the revision of the nomenclature of the stars.
24 July 1841 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/211
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is very pleased to hear that Francis Baily's health is improving. Must take it very easy. Regarding the finance available for the printing of the star catalogue.
25 July 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/212
Autograph letter signed by sender. Further regarding the printing of the star catalogues.
26 July 1841 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/213
Autograph letter signed by sender. Further regarding the printing of N. L. Lacaille's catalogue.
27 July 1841 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/214
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding the printing of scientific information from government funds, with special reference to N. L. Lacaille's star catalogue.
28 July 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/215
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses catalogue of 1677 stars. Has sent his own report on star nomenclature to Plymouth. Will call at his house later in the week.
6 August 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/216
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is now completely recovered from his accident. Has resumed work on his Cavendish experiments, which he will soon present to the public. Hopes his new residence at Hawkhurst suits his health.
30 September 1841 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/217
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is delighted to hear that the Cavendish experiments are proving successful. Is progressing slowly with the reductions of his own southern sweeps. Regarding a state pension for Mrs. Gregory (Anne Gregory, widow of O. G. Gregory); would Francis Baily give him some idea of Mrs. Gregory's circumstances.
11 October 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/218Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding the circumstances of Mrs. Gregory (Anne Gregory widow of Olinthus G. Gregory) and the possibility of support for a state pension for her.
14 October 1841 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/219
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding the method of printing the Royal Astronomical Society's Star Catalogue. Which star distances are they to use, North Polar or in declination?
9 November 1841 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/220
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has no hesitation in adopting North Polar distances for his stars. Has two queries regarding the Royal Astronomical Society's catalogue of stars. Weather has upset his own observations. Regarding a volume of T. G. Taylor's Madras Observations.
11 November 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/221
Autograph letter signed by sender. Finds that John Frederick William Herschel has not changed his mind on star distance terminology. Progress on the preparation of the star catalogue. Regarding T. G. Taylor's Madras Observations.
13 November 1841 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/222
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Is sending him a circumpolar projection of the Southern stars. Regarding the star maps being printed by John Arrowsmith. Will visit him the following week. Has received Robert Main's paper.
26 January 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/33
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Regarding the payment of John Arrowsmith's bill for the printing of the star maps, which seems excessive in relation to the low standard achieved. Would like Francis Baily's comments.
2 April 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/34
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Sends letter on the subject of the star maps.
2 April 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/35
Copy of a letter. Further about the map printing problem [see Francis Baily's 1841-4-6].
9 April 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/36
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Has received the maps from John Arrowsmith and sends a blank check for Francis Baily to fill in correct amount to pay the bill. Is unable to attend the Standard Commission meeting. Hopes Francis Baily can visit him in the summer.
26 May 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/37
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Is sending him his chart of the stars.
8 June 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/38
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Regarding the printing of the star map. Is pleased to hear that the Francis Bailys are coming to spend a few days at Hawkhurst.
15 June 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/39
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Is very pleased to hear that Francis Baily's health is improving. Must take it very easy. Regarding the finance available for the printing of the star catalogue.
25 July 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/40
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Regarding the printing of scientific information from government funds, with special reference to N. L. Lacaille's star catalogue.
28 July 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/41
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Encloses catalogue of 1677 stars. Has sent his own report on star nomenclature to Plymouth. Will call at his house later in the week.
6 August 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/42
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Is delighted to hear that the Cavendish experiments are proving successful. Is progressing slowly with the reductions of his own southern sweeps. Regarding a state pension for Mrs. Gregory (Anne Gregory; widow of O. G. Gregory); would Francis Baily give him some idea of Mrs. Gregory's circumstances.
11 October 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/43
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Has no hesitation in adopting North Polar distances for his stars. Has two queries regarding the Royal Astronomical Society's catalogue of stars. Weather has upset his own observations. Regarding a volume of T. G. Taylor's Madras Observations.
11 November 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/44Birth 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. Requesting any information on J. J. Littrow for his obituary notice.
19 January 1842 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/223
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regrets that he knows nothing about J. J. Littrow. A new astronomical instrument. Weather has been most unsuitable for observations.
21 January 1842 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/224
Autograph letter signed by sender. Account of the eclipse seen at Pavia.
10 July 1842 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/225
Autograph letter signed by sender. Further remarks concerning the recent eclipse and his own and G. B. Airy's papers on the subject.
26 August 1842 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/226
Autograph letter signed by sender. Thanks for the information on the eclipse. Comments on this. Events at the B.A.A.S. meeting. News of Wilhelm Struve's activities.
27 August 1842 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/227
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has read G. B. Airy's paper on the eclipse. Would John Frederick William Herschel send on Francis Baily's remarks on the eclipse to Airy. Comments on the phenomenon of the eclipse.
29 August 1842 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/228
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has sent the papers on the eclipse to G. B. Airy.
1 September 1842 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/229
Autograph letter signed by sender. Comments on the various reports of the recent eclipse. Regarding the star constellations.
13 September 1842 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/230
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has seen G. B. Airy. No meeting at Airy's. Further regarding reports of the recent eclipse.
7 November 1842 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/231
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has written to G. B. Airy. Regarding the various reports of the recent eclipse.
10 November 1842 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/232
Autograph letter signed by sender. Proposes to come to London to visit him. Has just received the proofs of Robert Maine's paper on parallax.
March 1842 ? Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/285
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Thanks for the information on the eclipse. Comments on this. Events at the B.A.A.S. meeting. News of Wilhelm Struve's activities.
27 August 1842 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/6/10
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Regrets that he knows nothing about J. J. Littrow. A new astronomical instrument. Weather has been most unsuitable for observations.
21 January 1842 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/45
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Thanks for the information on the eclipse. Comments on this. Events at the B.A.A.S. meeting. News of Wilhelm Struve's activities.
27 August 1842 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/46
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Has sent the papers on the eclipse to G. B. Airy.
1 September 1842 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/47
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Has written to G. B. Airy. Regarding the various reports of the recent eclipse.
10 November 1842 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/48
Copy of draft letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. A revised set of proposals for Southern constellation reform [see John Frederick William Herschel's 1840] to be presented to the next B.A.A.S. meeting.
1842? Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/14/2
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses a publication. Thanks for the gift to Miss Elizabeth Baily.
2 January 1843 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/233
Autograph letter signed by sender. Thanks for his paper on the Earth. Wishes his own Cape work was finished and of the same standard as Francis Baily's work. Regarding support for Dr. W. B. O'Shaughnessy when his election to the Royal Society [of London] is being considered.
24 February 1843 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/234
Autograph letter signed by sender. Will start work on the Southern Constellations without delay. Thanks for his remarks on W. B. O'Shaughnessy.
25 February 1843 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/235
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding his own support for W. B. O'Shaughnessy. Star reform in the Southern hemisphere.
25 February 1843 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/236
Autograph letter signed by sender. Further regarding the method to be adopted for the printing of the star catalogue.
4 March 1843 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/237
Autograph letter signed by sender. Further regarding the constellations.
15 March 1843 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/238
Autograph letter signed by sender. Further regarding the method to be adopted for the printing of the star catalogue.
17 March 1843 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/239
Autograph letter signed by sender. Further regarding the constellations.
20 March 1843 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/240
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses a draft of a letter that it is proposed should be sent to Sir Robert Peel.
22 March 1843 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/241
Autograph letter signed by sender. Accepts his invitation to visit him in order to discuss various matters.
25 March 1843 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/242
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has copied out John Frederick William Herschel's map showing the constellations as named by John Frederick William Herschel. Is moving to Richmond for a few weeks. Gives a message from H. C. Schumacher.
1 April 1843 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/243
Autograph letter signed by sender. Gives his proposal for the amendment of nomenclature for the northern constellations. F. W. A. Argelander's new celestial atlas. Regarding John Frederick William Herschel's southern map. The letter from the B.A.A.S. has been sent to Sir Robert Peel.
25 April 1843 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/244
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has received observations of the comet from C. P. Smyth, which he may like to communicate to the Royal Astronomical Society Comments on the deplorable state of the Cape Town [?] Observatory.
9 May 1843 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/245
Copy of a letter. Regarding Francis Baily's paper on the revision of the boundaries of the constellations.
10 May 1843 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/245a
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding John Frederick William Herschel's answer to his own paper on the revision of the boundaries of the constellations.
17 May 1843 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/246
Autograph letter signed by sender. Will be at the Visitation and intends to spend a few days in town. Has got the catalogue of objects for the star maps.
21 May 1843 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/247
Autograph letter signed by sender. Can John Frederick William Herschel come to the congress on Friday?
22 May 1843 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/248
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has invited some astronomical friends to the meeting on Friday.
26 May 1843 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/249
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has obtained maps from the Diffusion Society and marked in the new stars and the constellations. Has arranged to send some to him.
28 June 1843 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/250
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has received the maps. Gives F. W. Bessel's views on the re-arrangement of the constellations which has been proposed. Comments on Francis Baily's memorandum.
4 July 1843 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/251
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is returning the report to the B.A.A.S., with one alteration. Will forward the map to Mr. Jensen with John Frederick William Herschel's remarks.
22 July 1843 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/252
Autograph letter signed by sender. Will be unable to attend the meeting of the B.A.A.S. His sister is having an operation to her eyes. Is sending an account of the comet. Mr. Jensen will be coming down with the map.
24 July 1843 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/253
Autograph letter signed by sender. Mr. Jensen called to say that he will be visiting Collingwood on Monday with the map.
25 July 1843 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/254
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has received official communication from the Treasury that the government will provide financial assistance to print the catalogues of stars. Both these catalogues and the one to be printed by the B.A.A.S. await their decision on star nomenclature.
5 August 1843 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/255
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding the forthcoming publication of the star catalogues and matters arising. Has written a report on meteorological observations. Sends paper by J. H. Kay on the comet.
14 August 1843 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/256
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has received the parcel. Papers regarding the comet have been sent to the Royal Astronomical Society John Hartnup is to copy out the catalogue of stars. Will have to wait awhile for the maps of F. W. A. Argelander and Mr. Schwinck. Is preparing for the printing of the catalogues.
22 August 1843 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/257
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends specimens of works which are to go to press. Has had an estimate for the printing. Nomenclature has to be settled first.
12 September 1843 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/258
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding the cost of printing the catalogues, and matters pertaining to them. Can Francis Baily give him any general table of processions. Has started work on the letter press of his own book.
13 September 1843 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/259
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding bringing N. L. Lacaille up to a modern period. Regarding a table of precessions. Francis Baily's sister.
18 September 1843 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/260
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has to come to town for a Trustee meeting of the British Museum and wonders whether it would be convenient for him to visit Tavistock Place to consult him on various matters.
8 October 1843 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/261
Autograph letter signed by sender. It will be quite convenient for John Frederick William Herschel to visit him on Friday. Sister's health is improved. Delay in the celestial maps ordered.
9 October 1843 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/262
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has a copy of F. W. A. Argelander's Uranometria. Comments on this in relation to the proposed revision of the constellations.
8 November 1843 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/263
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has received his letter and incorporated the amendments in the paper.
22 November 1843 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/264
Autograph letter signed by sender. Further regarding the revision of the constellations.
14 December 1843 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/265
Autograph letter signed by sender. Comments regarding the proposed revision of the constellations.
16 December 1843 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/266
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has compared all the stars in N. L. Lacaille's catalogue to the new observations and plan for the constellations.
December 1843 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/267
Autograph letter signed by sender. Invitation to come to Collingwood to discuss star arrangements.
13? March 1843 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/280
Autographed letter . Has sent note to the Times about the comet.
March 1843 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/281
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Thanks for his paper on the Earth. Wishes his own Cape work was finished and of the same standard as Francis Baily's work. Regarding support for Dr. W. B. O'Shaughnessy when his election to the Royal Society [of London] is being considered.
24 February 1843 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/49
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Will start work on the Southern Constellations without delay. Thanks for his remarks on W. B. O'Shaughnessy.
25 February 1843 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/50
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Further regarding the constellations.
15 March 1843 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/51
Copy of a letter. Invites Francis Baily and his sister for a visit to Collingwood, where Francis Baily and John Frederick William Herschel can most easily complete the work of charting the southern stars.
23? March 1843 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/52
Copy of a letter. Describes his view of the Great Comet of 1843.
1843-3 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/53
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Has received observations of the comet from C. P. Smyth, which he may like to communicate to the Royal Astronomical Society Comments on the deplorable state of the Cape Town [?] Observatory.
9 May 1843 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/54
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Will be at the Visitation and intends to spend a few days in town. Has got the catalogue of objects for the star maps.
21 May 1843 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/55
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Has received the maps. Gives F. W. Bessel's views on the re-arrangement of the constellations which has been proposed. Comments on Francis Baily's memorandum.
4 July 1843 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/56
Copy of a letter. Was unable to visit Francis Baily; John Frederick William Herschel is suggesting some options for Francis Baily dealing with the star map, and whether it needs to go to the B.A.A.S. for approval.
23? July 1843 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/57
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Regarding the forthcoming publication of the star catalogues and matters arising. Has written a report on meteorological observations. Sends paper by J. H. Kay on the comet.
14 August 1843 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/58
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Regarding the cost of printing the catalogues, and matters pertaining to them. Can Francis Baily give him any general table of processions. Has started work on the letter press of his own book.
13 September 1843 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/59
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Has to come to town for a Trustee meeting of the British Museum and wonders whether it would be convenient for him to visit Tavistock Place to consult him on various matters.
8 October 1843 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/60
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Further regarding the revision of the constellations.
14 December 1843 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/61
Copy of a letter. Sends along Frederik Kaiser's observations of Halley's Comet; [Robert] Everest is upset with John Frederick William Herschel because John Frederick William Herschel had signed a letter of support for a grant for T. B. Jervis.
1843-4 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/62Birth of Matilda Rose Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1844
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends proof sheets of the preface to the Star catalogue of the B.A.A.S., together with a few amendments. Has not sent the catalogue to press yet.
16 January 1844 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/268
Autograph letter signed by sender. Justification for his nomenclature in the star catalogue.
22 January 1844 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/269
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding the arrangement of 'Argo.'
29 January 1844 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/270
Autograph letter signed by sender. Would like to hear from him regarding 'Argo.'
10 February 1844 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/271
Autograph letter signed by sender. Gives his own views regarding 'Argo' and the renaming of the constellations.
11 February 1844 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/3/272
Autograph letter signed by sender. Further regarding the arrangement of 'Argo.'
12 February 1844 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/273
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding the arrangement of 'Malus.'
15 February 1844 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/274
Autograph letter signed by sender. Returns F. W. Bessel's letter, part of which has been read to the Royal Astronomical Society Has he any communications for the Royal Astronomical Society as they are short of suitable material?
25 March 1844 Sender: Francis Baily , Francis Baily Reference number: HS/3/275
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Gives his own views regarding 'Argo' and the renaming of the constellations.
11 February 1844 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/8/63Sir John Herschel serves as President of the British Association
1845
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
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.