Correspondence map
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John Frederick William Herschel
Heinrich Christian Schumacher
John Frederick William Herschel and Charles Babbage travel through France to Italy and Switzerland.
1821
John Frederick William Herschel publishes in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society.
1821:
John Frederick William Herschel publishes “On the aberrations of compound lenses and object-glasses" in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society.
John Frederick William Herschel receives the Copley Medal of the Royal Society for his papers printed in the Philosophical Transactions
1821
Autograph letter signed by sender. Thanks for honor conferred by Astronomical Society. Mentions [F. W.] Bessel's paper on the 4th satellite of Saturn. Calculated tables of apparent places of 45 stars, which Heinrich Christian Schumacher plans to publish a
17 April 1821 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/367
Autograph letter signed by sender, with enclosure. Sends invitation to participate in an astronomical journal. Asks John Frederick William Herschel to forward letter to [F.] Fallows at the Cape of Good Hope. Mentions [Thomas] Young's plans to travel. Requ
25 June 1821 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/368
Autograph letter signed by sender. Thanks for forwarding notice on journal to [F.] Fallows. Hopes to use the longitudinal differences of English observations to improve observations.
5 October 1821 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/369
1822
Death of Sir William Herschel FRS
25 August 1822
1823
John Frederick William Herschel receives the Bakerian Medal of the Royal Society.
1823:
John Frederick William Herschel gives the Bakerian lecture “On certain Motions produced in Fluid Conductors when transmitting the Electric Current”.
Autograph letter signed by sender. [J. W. A.] Pfaff plans to publish a translation and edition of all William Herschel's papers. Requests a catalogue of those papers and permission to publish a biography of his later years.
8 August 1823 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/370
Autograph letter signed by sender. Thanks for forwarded essay on physical astronomy. Remarks about method for precisely determining the power of a telescope. Has [C. L.] Harding's celestial atlas. Wanted to dedicate book to Astronomical Society, but asks
22 November 1823 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/371
1824
John Frederick William Herschel moves to 56 Devonshire St., Portland Place, London
1824
John Frederick William Herschel serves as Secretary of the Royal Society
30 November 1824
Autograph letter signed by sender. Will forward Astronomische Nachrichten to John Frederick William Herschel and Astronomical Society. Comments on quality of [Joseph] Fraunhofer's micrometer, which has only the wires illuminated. [C. F.] Gauss uses a theo
20 January 1824 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/372
1825
John Frederick William Herschel invents the actinometer to measure the heating power of the Sun’s rays
1825
1826
John Frederick William Herschel publishes in the Philosophical Transactions
1826:
John Frederick William Herschel publishes “On the parallax of the fixed stars”.
Copy of a letter. Announces a new step to all astronomers toward understanding the solar system due to work of [Thomas] Clausen of the Altona observatory. Clausen recognized that the comet discovered by Biela was the same as that of 1805 and 1772. Heinric
30 March 1826 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/373
1827
Joseph Nicéphore Niépce presents his photographs in England for the first time
1827
1829
John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart are married in London
3 March 1829
1830
John Frederick William Herschel is elected Foreign correspondent of the Académie des sciences
1830
Birth of Caroline Emilia Mary Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
31 March 1830
John Frederick William Herschel is nominated for the presidency of the Royal Society, loses by 8 votes to the Duke of Sussex
30 November 1830
1831
Mary Somerville publishes Mechanism of the Heavens
1831
Sir John Herschel is created Knight of the Royal Hanoverian Guelphic Order
1831
Sir John Herschel publishes Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy as part of Dionysius Lardner’s Cabinet Cyclopaedia.
1831
Birth of Isabella Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
5 June 1831
1832
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends news of a cholera epidemic to help John Frederick William Herschel make his summer plans. Mentions a number of new cases from Altona, Hamburg, and Berlin. Asks John Frederick William Herschel not to spread informat
18 June 1832 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/374
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends two bottles of Claret and a box to be forwarded for [Francis] Baily.
22 June 1832 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/375
1833
Sir John Herschel receives the Royal Medal from the Royal Society
1833:
The Medal is awarded "For his paper on nebulae and clusters of stars, published in the Philosophical Transactions for 1833."
Sir John Herschel publishes A treatise on astronomy as part of Dionysius Lardner’s Cabinet Cyclopaedia.
1833
Birth of William James Herschel, son of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1833
Sir John Herschel departs for South Africa with his wife and their three children
13 November 1833
1834
Birth of Margaret Louisa Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1834
1835
Sir John Herschel serves as President of the Literary and Philosophical Society of the Cape of Good Hope
1835
Halley’s comet becomes visible
28 November 1835
Autograph letter signed by sender. [Otto] Rosenberger has calculated perturbations of Halley's Comet by the inner planets. [Wilhelm] Beer and [J. H.] Mädler have a map of the moon and have located two moving spots on Jupiter. F. W. Bessel's assistant has
5 March 1835 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/376
Autograph letter signed by sender. Visits F. W. Bessel in Berlin to discuss pendulum experiments. [C. A.] Steinheil invented a photometer to measure relative light of different stars.
9 July 1835 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/377
Contemporary copy in sender's hand, signed by sender. Describes John Frederick William Herschel's location at the Cape and his observational sweeps, lists nebulae and double stars, as well as comet and eclipse observations. [Letter finished on 1835-3-5.]
24 February 1835 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/4/8
1836
Birth of Alexander Stewart Herschel, son of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
5 February 1836
1837
Victoria becomes Queen of the United Kingdom
20 June 1837
Birth of John Herschel, son of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
29 October 1837
1838
Sir John Herschel returns from South Africa
1838: A banquet in presence of Queen Victoria is given to celebrate his return to Britain and made a Baronet.
Autograph letter signed by sender. Received John Frederick William Herschel's note from Belvedere Hotel. Mentions various arrangements regarding John Frederick William Herschel's European journey, including John Frederick William Herschel's planned visit
17 July 1838 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/378
Autograph letter signed by sender. Unless other responsibilities interfere, Heinrich Christian Schumacher will meet John Frederick William Herschel in Bremen.
19 July 1838 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/379
Autograph letter signed by sender. In compliance with John Frederick William Herschel's request, Heinrich Christian Schumacher did not go to Bremen to meet John Frederick William Herschel. Hopes John Frederick William Herschel will visit him in Altona and
24 July 1838 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/380
Autograph letter signed by sender. Asks if he can publish the finding that the star in Argo is dimming in Astronomische Nachrichten. Questions whether barometric information should be in feet or yards. Asks John Frederick William Herschel about a publicat
3 August 1838 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/381
1839
Sir John Herschel serves his first term as President of the Royal Astronomical Society
1839: to 1841
Birth of Maria Sophia Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1839
William Henry Fox Talbot presents his paper-based photographic process at the Royal Society
1839
Autograph letter signed by sender. Forwards a request from C. F. Gauss for magnetic observations made in England.
19 January 1839 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/382
Autograph letter signed by sender. Asks permission to use information from John Frederick William Herschel's letter in Astronomische Nachrichten. Believes [Alexander von] Humboldt can explain observational anomalies that John Frederick William Herschel no
12 February 1839 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/383
Contemporary copy in sender's hand, signed by sender. Compares magnitudes for some specific stars and then comments more generally on that question; John Frederick William Herschel believes he will no longer be able to observe in winter in England as he is too severely afflicted by rheumatism.
19 January 1839 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/5/11
1840
Sir John Herschel publishes in the Philosophical Transactions
1840: Sir John Herschel publishes “On the chemical action of the rays of the solar spectrum on preparations of silver and other substances, both metallic and non-metallic; and on some photographic processes”
Autograph letter signed by sender. Asks John Frederick William Herschel to petition King Christian VIII of Denmark to support the Altona observatory.
11 February 1840 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/384
Autograph letter signed by sender, with annotations by recipient. Thanks John Frederick William Herschel for suggesting that the Royal Astronomical Society write to King Christian VIII, but requests that John Frederick William Herschel include his own nam
28 February 1840 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/385
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has been busy with geodetic work. Pulkowa instruments are excellent. [F. W.] Struve has sent zenith distances of Ursa Majores. [G. von] Reichenbach's death dealt blow to precision of Munich instruments.
10 September 1840 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/386
1841
Sir Robert Peel becomes Prime Minister
1841
Birth of Amelia Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1841
Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses a letter in which John Frederick William Herschel explains why John Frederick William Herschel cannot, as a British subject, accept the foreign order offered him [by the Danish king]. Asks Heinrich Christian Sc
17 January 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/15/387
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has not received parcels from Royal Society. Wants John Frederick William Herschel to send notice of proposal to Astronomische Nachrichten. Remarks on John Frederick William Herschel's requiem for William Herschel's larg
22 October 1841 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/388
Autograph letter signed by sender. Asks about the claim that John Frederick William Herschel professes that the moon affects the atmosphere and about possibly related research. Received paper on constellations for Astronomische Nachrichten.
24 December 1841 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/389
Autograph letter signed by sender. John Frederick William Herschel replies (to HS 15.389) that neither John Frederick William Herschel nor his father held that the moon influenced the atmosphere, though John Frederick William Herschel does connect a full
1841-12-25 or later Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/15/411
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Discusses a letter in which John Frederick William Herschel explains why John Frederick William Herschel cannot, as a British subject, accept the foreign order offered him [by the Danish king]. Asks Heinrich Christian Schumacher to read over the letter and to decide how it should be delivered.
17 January 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/77
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. John Frederick William Herschel replies (to HS 15.389) that neither John Frederick William Herschel nor his father held that the moon influenced the atmosphere, though John Frederick William Herschel does connect a full moon with a clear sky. [Eliza] Hamilton, sister of W. R. Hamilton, has published some poetry that is not well known, but deserving. Cannot accept foreign order.
1841-12-25 or later Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/101
1842
Birth of Julia Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1842
Sir John Herschel publishes in the Philosophical Transactions
1842: Sir John Herschel publishes “On the action of the rays of the solar spectrum on vegetable colours, and on some new photographic processes”
Autograph letter signed by sender. John Frederick William Herschel's return of order offered him was painful. Will report in Astronomische Nachrichten that John Frederick William Herschel denies meteorological theory attributed to him and that the 'Wiener
4 January 1842 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/390
Autograph letter signed by sender. Asks John Frederick William Herschel to thank King Christian VIII of Denmark for the order, even though John Frederick William Herschel cannot accept it. Sends a mathematical puzzle.
11 January 1842 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/391
1843
Autograph letter signed by sender. Saw article in the [London] Times about Lord Rosse's telescope. Has received a letter from [James] South. Asks for information from John Frederick William Herschel for private use. [Francesco] del Vico has observed tripl
30 October 1843 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/392
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends copy of announcement from [Herve] Faye at Paris observatory of a new comet in Orion. Requests use of John Frederick William Herschel's letter about double tail on [Halley's] comet in Astronomische Nachrichten. Note
1 December 1843 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/393
1844
Birth of Matilda Rose Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1844
Autograph letter signed by sender. Announces the discovery of a new comet by [Heinrich] D'Arrest, a university student. Wilhelm Struve has seen it.
12 July 1844 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/394
1845
Sir John Herschel serves as President of the British Association
1845
Autograph letter signed by sender. [J. C.] Houzeau has sent a paper on the determination of parabolic elements of a comet. Relays a copy of his method, which Heinrich Christian Schumacher will examine more closely before publishing.
10 June 1845 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/395
Autograph letter signed by sender. Announces the discovery of a new 'planet' by [K. L.] Hencke of Prussia, of the class of 'the 4 small ones' [the asteroids].
23 December 1845 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/396
1846
Birth of Francisca Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1846
Sir John Herschel serves his second term as Foreign Secretary of the Royal Astronomical Society
1846: To 1847
Part autographed letter. Circular announcing that [Theodor] Brorsen in Kiel has discovered a new comet. Heinrich Christian Schumacher adds note that F. W. Bessel has died.
22 March 1846 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/397
1847
Sir John Herschel serves his second term as President of the Royal Astronomical Society
1847: Until 1849
Sir John Herschel receives the Copley Medal
1847: Sir John Herschel receives the Copley Medal of the Royal Society "For his work entitled Results of Astronomical Observations made during the years 1834, 1835, 1836, 1837 and 1838, at the Cape of Good Hope; being a completion of a telescopic survey of the whole surface of the visible heavens, commenced in 1825"
Sir John Herschel publishes a paper
1847: Sir John Herschel publishes Results of astronomical observations made during the years 1834, 5, 6, 7, 8, at the Cape of Good Hope; being a completion of a telescopic survey of the whole surface of the visible heavens, commenced in 1825.
Autograph letter signed by sender. Professor [H. J.] Anderson of New York wishes to be introduced to John Frederick William Herschel. Number 600 of Astronomische Nachrichten will finish the 25th volume of the journal. Wilhelm Struve will be present.
7 May 1847 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/398
Autograph letter signed by sender. We will drink to your health on June 9, the day on which #600 of the Astronomische Nachrichten will appear.
28 May 1847 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/399
Autograph letter signed by sender. In explanation of [15:399] reminds John Frederick William Herschel of all he wrote for Astronomische Nachrichten previously. Cannot attend B.A.A.S. meeting because of daughter's wedding, but would have declined anyway be
11 June 1847 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/400
1848
The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood is formed, by John Everett Millais, Dante Gabriel Rosetti and others
1848
Napoleon III is elected first President of France
20 December 1848
Autograph letter signed by sender. The 'psychical epidemic' that is pervading Europe has invaded Heinrich Christian Schumacher's country, and reason flies to the detriment of science.
24 March 1848 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/401
1849
Sir John Herschel publishes Outlines of Astronomy.
1849
Autograph letter signed by sender. Alexander von Humboldt reports reading that Lord Rosse's telescope has resolved the nebula of Orion. Humboldt requests John Frederick William Herschel's view on the matter. Describes new government.
12 June 1849 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/402
Autograph letter signed by sender. Relays debate about the use of names of Roman gods for 'planets.' [Annibale] de Gasparis proposes to name his discovery in Italian, 'Igia,' rather than the Roman Hygia [Hygeia]. Which version will John Frederick William
26 June 1849 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/403
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends account of rainbow-like atmospheric phenomena; asks John Frederick William Herschel for an explanation. Remarks on American empirical discoveries. Too many hypotheses being put forward, including [Daniel] Kirkwood'
4 December 1849 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/404
Autograph letter signed by sender. Thanks John Frederick William Herschel for explanation of phenomena [see Heinrich Christian Schumacher's 1849-12-4]. B. A. Gould [?] has begun to publish American version of Astronomische Nachrichten, but without strong
18 December 1849 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/405
1850
Sir John Herschel is appointed Master of the Mint
1850
Autograph letter signed by sender. [A. C.] Petersen [?] claims to have found a new comet near John Frederick William Herschel's nebula #379. Look for it, but do not announce this discovery.
15 February 1850 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/406
Autograph letter signed by sender. Asks John Frederick William Herschel to accept sunspot observations made over 14 years by the late [J. W.] Pastorff of Altona Observatory. Accompanying micrometrical measurements are worthless due to mounting of telescop
16 April 1850 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/407
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends [J. W.] Pastorff's solar observations [see Heinrich Christian Schumacher's 1850-4-16] as John Frederick William Herschel's own property.
26 April 1850 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/408
Autograph letter signed by sender. Reports that [Annibal] de Gasparis has discovered a new asteroid, Parthenope. Gasparis credits John Frederick William Herschel with the discovery because John Frederick William Herschel had proposed the name Parthenope w
28 May 1850 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/409
Autograph letter signed by sender. Alexander von Humboldt requests that John Frederick William Herschel answer questions about 'coal sacks (plur.)' [Coal Sack of the Southern heavens].
2 August 1850 Sender: Heinrich Christian Schumacher , German astronomer Schumacher: Heinrich Christian (1780-1850) Reference number: HS/15/410
1851
Sir John Herschel serves as juror of the Great Exhibition
1851
1852
