Correspondence map
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John Frederick William Herschel
William Whewell

Draft in John Herschel's hand. Is actively pursuing mathematical investigations. Plans to come to Cambridge soon for a short visit. Will follow this first letter by many more. Excavations by the Geological Society going on in John Frederick William Herschel's area.
4 February 1817 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/18/157
Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses university politics. Misses John Frederick William Herschel. Impressed by [Edward] Bromhead's mathematical abilities. Is considering translating a book by S. F. Lacroix. George Peacock's Tripos examination questions have caused controversy. Believes Peacock should have stressed applied over pure mathematics.
6 March 1817 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/158
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Is actively pursuing mathematical investigations. Plans to come to Cambridge soon for a short visit. Will follow this first letter by many more. Excavations by the Geological Society going on in John Frederick William Herschel's area.
4 February 1817 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/39
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Asks about William Whewell's mathematical investigations. John Frederick William Herschel's book on algebra is progressing. Describes mathematical investigations by [Edward] Bromhead in calculus of factors. Misses Cambridge.
18 June 1817 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/44
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Is pursuing mathematical investigations with Charles Babbage. Asks William Whewell to check whether George Peacock is progressing in printing the Supplement to Lacroix's volume.
26 July 1817 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/46Mary Shelley publishes Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus
1818

Autograph letter signed by sender. Informs John Frederick William Herschel of the place of Simon Stevin in the history of the idea of a parallelogram of forces. Has heard that John Frederick William Herschel is investigating polarized rays.
19 June 1818 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/159
Autograph letter signed by sender. Expresses thanks for and comments on John Frederick William Herschel's account of John Frederick William Herschel's optical experiments. Discusses efforts to improve mathematical education at Cambridge, including William Whewell's book on mechanics.
1 November 1818 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/160
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Thanks William Whewell for and expresses agreement with William Whewell's analysis of Simon Stevin. Describes experiments John Frederick William Herschel is conducting on the polarization of light.
19 August 1818 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/56John Frederick William Herschel serves on the Board of Longitude
1819

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Praises William Whewell's new book [Elementary Treatise on Mechanics]; is working to get William Whewell elected to the R.S.L. Criticizes a pamphlet by George Peacock. Comments on rules proposed for the new Cambridge Philosophical Society.
1 December 1819 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/77John 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
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

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Provides detailed travel suggestions for William Whewell's planned trip to the continent. Asks William Whewell to deliver letters to various European scientists.
1821 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/36Death of Sir William Herschel FRS
25 August 1822

Autograph letter signed by sender. Urges John Frederick William Herschel to come to Brighton and then to return with him to Cambridge; stresses that both he and Richard Jones are anxious to talk with John Frederick William Herschel.
20 January 1822 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/161
Autograph letter signed by sender. Discusses regions of the Alps and sends sketch of Monte Rosa. Informs John Frederick William Herschel of a brilliant student, G. B. Airy, who is constructing a calculating machine. Condolences on the death of William Herschel.
17 October 1822 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/162
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Thanks William Whewell for drawing of Monte Rosa. Comments on a recent political election.
11 November 1822 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/155
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Gives advice on William Whewell's planned trip to Europe. Asks William Whewell to contact various scientists there on John Frederick William Herschel's behalf.
December 1822 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/157John 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. Presents a system William Whewell has devised for designating the faces of crystals. Asks John Frederick William Herschel whether it would be suitable for presentation to the Royal Society [of London]
15 October 1823 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/163
Autographed draft letter. Comments favorably on a method developed by William Whewell for designating the faces of crystals. Presents a method John Frederick William Herschel had worked out previously, but writes on the letter: 'Not sent—On rereading his letter I find it is his idea—strange!'
1823-10-15 or later Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/18/164
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Advises William Whewell on how to submit William Whewell's paper on crystallography to the R.S.L. Asks him to visit Henry White.
24 November 1823 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/166
Copy of draft letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Comments favorably on a method developed by William Whewell for designating the faces of crystals. Presents a method John Frederick William Herschel had worked out previously, but writes on the letter: 'Not sent—On rereading his letter I find it is his idea—strange!'
1823-10-15 or later Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/167
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Praises and comments on some proposals made by William Whewell for designating the faces of crystals. Urges him to present his method to the R.S.L.
15 October 1823 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/168
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Strongly praises William Whewell's completed paper on crystallography. Questions one point in it.
19 December 1823 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/170John 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

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Reports on the reception of William Whewell's crystallography paper at the R.S.L. Asks William Whewell to add a comment on the paper's relation to a paper in David Brewster's journal. Asks William Whewell to contact George Peacock.
28 November 1824 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/191John Frederick William Herschel invents the actinometer to measure the heating power of the Sun’s rays
1825
John 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. Describes plan to carry out pendulum experiments with G. B. Airy. Asks John Frederick William Herschel for help in borrowing instruments from the Royal Society [of London]
11 April 1826 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/165
Autograph letter signed by sender. Describes the pendulum experiments he and G. B. Airy are carrying out in Dolcoath Mine.
13 June 1826 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/166
Autograph letter signed by sender. Reports that an accident destroyed one of the pendulums used by G. B. Airy and William Whewell in their Dolcoath experiments. Obtained some results and believes in the general soundness of the method employed.
1 July 1826 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/167
Autograph letter signed by sender. Tells John Frederick William Herschel that the Lucasian Professorship has become available. Believes most Cambridge people favor John Frederick William Herschel. Urges John Frederick William Herschel to write the electors, i.e., the heads of the Cambridge colleges.
13 October 1826 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/168
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Asks William Whewell to watch over the printing of John Frederick William Herschel's 'Light' for the Encyclopaedia Metropolitana. Describes that work as not especially original and as free of historical information. Discusses John Frederick William Herschel's trip to Calais.
28 August 1826 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/237
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Declines to become a candidate for the Lucasian professorship. Explains his reasons. Has written in support of Charles Babbage. Thanks William Whewell for seeing John Frederick William Herschel's 'Light' through the press. Describes John Frederick William Herschel's travels on the continent, including his 'geologising.'
17 October 1826 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/240Joseph Nicéphore Niépce presents his photographs in England for the first time
1827

Autograph letter signed by sender. Hopes to draw up 'a comparative view of the chemical and mineralogical classification of fossils....' Asks John Frederick William Herschel's view of J. J. Berzelius's system of chemical notation.
28 October 1827 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/169
Autograph letter signed by sender. Pleased to learn that they share the same view of the reform of chemical nomenclature. Discusses various professorships at Cambridge and the question of who should head the Royal Society [of London] Praises Richard Jones's ideas in political economy.
23 November 1827 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/170
Autograph letter signed by sender. Asks John Frederick William Herschel for efforts on behalf of [William] Ritchie. Urges John Frederick William Herschel to apply for vacant Lucasian professorship. This failing, hopes Charles Babbage will be a candidate.
31 December 1827 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/171
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Asks William Whewell to sign a certificate on behalf of the election of [William] Ritchie to the R.S.L. and to ask Adam Sedgwick to sign also.
20 January 1827 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/246
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Has burned the certificate signed by William Whewell and John Frederick William Herschel on behalf of election of [William] Ritchie to the R.S.L., because John Frederick William Herschel, as a R.S.L. secretary, should not endorse candidates. Discusses recent Geological Society meeting.
3 February 1827 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/20/248
Autograph letter signed by sender. Charles Babbage has been elected to Cambridge's Lucasian professorship. Thanks John Frederick William Herschel for his efforts. Hopes Babbage will fill it effectively.
6 March 1828 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/172
Autograph letter signed by sender. Encourages John Frederick William Herschel's efforts in writing a treatise on sound. Asks John Frederick William Herschel's advice on a system of mineralogical classification that William Whewell, as Cambridge's new professor of mineralogy, had drawn up.
3 April 1828 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/173
Autograph letter signed by sender. Will sponsor John Frederick William Herschel for the Cambridge Philosophical Society. Discusses William Whewell's published report of William Whewell's Dolcoath mine experiments. Comments on mineralogical classification. Promises to send books to John Frederick William Herschel on sound and music.
20 September 1828 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/174
Autograph letter signed by sender. Asks about John Frederick William Herschel and William Whewell collaborating on a volume for Dionysius Lardner's Cabinet Cyclopaedia. Discusses aspects of mineralogical classification and crystal structure.
14 October 1828 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/175John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart are married in London
3 March 1829

Draft in John Herschel's hand. Invites William Whewell to John Frederick William Herschel's wedding. Asks him to come early to meet the bride's family.
February 1829 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/18/176
Autograph letter signed by sender. Will attend John Frederick William Herschel's marriage, but cannot be present for some preliminaries. Discusses relations between chemistry and mineralogy.
15 February 1829 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/177
Autograph letter signed by sender. Where should William Whewell meet John Frederick William Herschel on Tuesday before John Frederick William Herschel's wedding?
27 February 1829 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/178
Autograph letter signed by sender. Asks John Frederick William Herschel to return a musical instrument he had borrowed. Mentions dining with Mrs. Alexander Stewart [John Frederick William Herschel's new mother-in-law]. Asks John Frederick William Herschel to look over a sheet of chemical elements to be used as a basis for a mineralogical classification. Invites John Frederick William Herschel and his bride to visit William Whewell in Cambridge.
8 March 1829 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/179
Autograph letter signed by sender. Asks John Frederick William Herschel for advice on a table designed to show the relation between the chemical elements and the known minerals. Asks John Frederick William Herschel about various problems relating to determining chemical formulas.
25 March 1829 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/180
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Invites William Whewell to John Frederick William Herschel's wedding. Asks him to come early to meet the bride's family.
February 1829 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/37
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Recommends G. B. Airy for superintendence of the Nautical Almanac. Expresses hope that Richard Jones's book will be published. Laments lack of recognition given to British scientists.
17 May 1829 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/47John 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
Mary Somerville publishes Mechanism of the Heavens
1831
Sir John Herschel is created Knight of the Royal Hanoverian Guelphic Order
1831
Sir John Herschel publishes Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy as part of Dionysius Lardner’s Cabinet Cyclopaedia.
1831
Birth of Isabella Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
5 June 1831

Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends John Frederick William Herschel a copy of Richard Jones's new book [Essay on the Distribution of Wealth]. Congratulates John Frederick William Herschel on the publication of his new book [Prelim. Discourse].
10 February 1831 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/181
Autograph letter signed by sender. Returns the collection of optical writings that John Frederick William Herschel had sent. Comments on the controversy over the nature of light. Criticizes paper by Richard Potter attacking John Frederick William Herschel and other wave theorists of light.
3 June 1831 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/182
Autograph letter signed by sender. Comments negatively on whether photonomy is a proper name for the study of light. Has suggested that the B.A.A.S. invite eminent scientists to survey their specialties. Discusses whether B.A.A.S. should meet at Cambridge. Has published his review of John Frederick William Herschel's Prelim. Discourse.
18 September 1831 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/183
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Thanks William Whewell for sending Richard Jones's new book and comments on it. Comments on William Whewell's 'Science of the English Universities' and William Whewell's review of Charles Lyell's Principles of Geology. Has heard that William Whewell is reviewing John Frederick William Herschel's Prelim. Discourse.
15 February 1831 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/79
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Is sending William Whewell a large collection of writings on optics and light.
16 May 1831 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/81
Copy letter in John Herschel's hand. Thanks William Whewell for his favorable review of John Frederick William Herschel's Prelim. Discourse. Vernon Harcourt has asked John Frederick William Herschel for his views on the establishment of a B.A.A.S. Expresses some support but numerous reservations. Responds favorably to William Whewell's suggestion that prominent scientists prepare surveys of their specialties for the meeting.
20 September 1831 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/2/21Sir 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. Comments on the optical experiments with 'Mr [Thomas] Malthus's eyes.' Reports that Richard Jones has received a professorship at King's College. Mentions William Whewell's intention to investigate tides.
14 January 1833 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/184
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sending John Frederick William Herschel various publications. Reports that Richard Jones is giving his introductory letter. Congratulates John Frederick William Herschel on birth of an 'experimental philosopher' [John Frederick William Herschel's son William James].
30 January 1833 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/185Birth of Margaret Louisa Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1834

Copy letter in John Herschel's hand. Has arrived at Cape Town; finds it an 'Earthly Paradise.' Describes its climate and noteworthy features of the southern heavens. John Frederick William Herschel's views on geology transformed by having read volume III of Charles Lyell's Principles of Geology.
28 January 1834 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/3/18Sir 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

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Describes in detail efforts, only partially successful, made by Thomas Maclear and John Frederick William Herschel to record tidal data at Simon's Bay and Table Bay. Gives some interpretation of the data.
4 July 1835 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/179
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Reports on efforts made in June 1835 by John Frederick William Herschel and Thomas Maclear to have tidal observations made at Simon's Bay and Table Bay. Reports briefly on John Frederick William Herschel's astronomical observations. Describes increasing tensions with the Caffers [Kaffirs] in the Cape region.
25 July 1835 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/182
Copy letter in John Herschel's hand. Discusses tidal observations made at the Cape and a paper by William Whewell on tides. Praises viewing conditions at the Cape. Describes political struggles at the Cape.
7 February 1835 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/4/9
Copy letter in John Herschel's hand. Reports on efforts made in June 1835 by John Frederick William Herschel and Thomas Maclear to have tidal observations made at Simon's Bay and Table Bay. Reports briefly on John Frederick William Herschel's astronomical observations. Describes increasing tensions with the Caffers [Kaffirs] in the Cape region.
25 July 1835 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/4/12Birth of Alexander Stewart Herschel, son of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
5 February 1836

Autograph letter signed by sender. Comments on John Frederick William Herschel's proposals to James Adamson regarding education at the Cape. Criticizes Francis Bacon's philosophy. Plans to devote his efforts to philosophy and has begun a history of the sciences. Describes his work on the tides. Richard Jones's professorship at the East India College is in jeopardy.
9 April 1836 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/186
Autograph letter signed by sender. William Whewell's results regarding tidal observation and theory. Requests further data from the Cape. Has nearly completed his history of the inductive sciences.
10 June 1836 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/187
Autograph letter signed by sender. Reports on his tidal studies and requests further observations from South Africa. William Whewell's history of the inductive sciences is in press and William Whewell has begun a philosophy of the inductive sciences. Discusses Richard Jones's career and Charles Darwin's return to England.
4 December 1836 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/188Victoria 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

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Reports on John Frederick William Herschel's efforts to secure tidal observations for William Whewell, the Duke of Northumberland's offer to finance the printing of John Frederick William Herschel's Cape astronomical observations, and John Frederick William Herschel's sighting of Saturn's sixth satellite. Encourages William Whewell's efforts to write a philosophy of the inductive sciences.
22 July 1837 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/224
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Thanks for William Whewell's History of the Inductive Sciences and for dedicating it to John Frederick William Herschel. Has read volume I, being especially impressed by William Whewell's stress on hypothesizing. Recounts difficulties in getting tidal observations for William Whewell. Is sending back a large number of John Frederick William Herschel's astronomical observations.
20 August 1837 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/228Sir 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. Can leave Lancaster immediately for interview with William Lamb, Lord Melbourne regarding the magnetic survey. Congratulates John Frederick William Herschel for escaping presidency of the B.A.A.S.
1838-9-10? Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/189
Autograph letter signed by sender. Entreats John Frederick William Herschel, who had recently rebuffed efforts to head the Royal Society [of London] and the B.A.A.S., to become president of the Geological Society. Specifies responsibilities involved.
3 December 1838 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/190
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. William Lamb, Lord Melbourne, will receive 'our committee.' Has heard that the R.S.L. Council expects John Frederick William Herschel to become the next R.S.L. president. Requests William Whewell to put an 'absolute negative' to any such claim.
13 September 1838 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/258
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Alerts William Whewell about the upcoming meeting with William Lamb, Lord Melbourne. Asks William Whewell to squelch any reports that John Frederick William Herschel will be the next R.S.L. president.
17 September 1838 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/259
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Had an encouraging conversation with William Lamb, Lord Melbourne, about funding for the South Polar expedition. Asks William Whewell and George Peacock to prepare a proposal regarding the expedition, John Frederick William Herschel doing the same.
22 October 1838 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/264
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Invites William Whewell to a meeting with James Ross and Humphrey Lloyd on the South Polar expedition. Asks William Whewell to inform George Peacock. Encourages William Whewell to defend the expedition, which Lord Minto reports is in jeopardy.
28 October 1838 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/266
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Asks William Whewell, and through him George Peacock, to judge whether B.A.A.S. funds should provide some instruments for the Breslau Magnetic Observatory.
19 December 1838 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/272Sir 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

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Requests William Whewell and George Peacock to judge the appropriateness of expending B.A.A.S. funds for some instruments for the Breslau Magnetic Observatory. Mentions other matters relating to the meteorology committee.
22 February 1839 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/3
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Thanks William Whewell for some verses. Informs him that James Ross's expedition has been approved. Discusses various aspects of the expedition, e.g., the placing of instruments on Van Diemen's Land [Tasmania].
31 March 1839 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/6
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Informs William Whewell about various matters relating to James Ross's expedition. Is considering purchasing a house in Kent.
20 March 1839 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/20
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. William Whewell, John Frederick William Herschel, and George Peacock must prepare a report for the B.A.A.S. on the magnetic expedition and observations; offers to draft it. Laments great loss of time in working on their committee. Is involved in buying a house in Hawkhurst.
7 August 1839 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/24
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Asks William Whewell to approve cost of report forms to be sent to the Breslau Observatory. Has heard that William Whewell's book is nearing completion and contains 'heresy.' Has just submitted a paper on 'photographical matters' to the R.S.L.
March 1839 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/41
Contemporary copy in sender's hand, signed by sender. Wishes to have mentioned to the Physical Section of the B.A.A.S. that John Frederick William Herschel has discovered that the extreme red rays [infra-red?] of the sun do not darken photographic paper, but tend to whiten it.
28 August 1839 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/5/16Sir 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. Discusses what instruments should be given to Palon Boguslawski. Discusses tidal observations, noting the complexity of the results obtained.
22 February 1840 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/191
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Gives John Frederick William Herschel's new address in Hawkhurst. Bring Mr. Bunt's planetarium when William Whewell comes to Hawkhurst. Announces new photographic results.
June 1840 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/36
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Gives John Frederick William Herschel's new address in Hawkhurst. Bring Mr. Bunt's planetarium when William Whewell comes to Hawkhurst. Announces new photographic results.
June 1840 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/47
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Sends William Whewell some verses, asks William Whewell's and George Peacock's advice on a request by Edward Sabine for funds, and invites William Whewell to visit Hawkhurst, where the Herschels were then in the process of moving.
12 April 1840 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/48
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Asks William Whewell to write letters of introduction for [James] Innes, an educator from the Cape. Comments on William Whewell's Philosophy of the Inductive Sciences, expressing reservations about its a prioristic approach.
6 August 1840 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/61Sir Robert Peel becomes Prime Minister
1841
Birth of Amelia Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1841

Draft in John Herschel's hand. Asks William Whewell to be godfather to John Frederick William Herschel's new daughter, Amelia. In reviewing William Whewell's [Philosophy of the Inductive Sciences] has found many of John Frederick William Herschel's views changing, but cannot accept his dear friend's a prioristic approach.
16 April 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/18/193
Autograph letter signed by sender. Will be pleased to be godfather of John Frederick William Herschel's new daughter. Pleased also that John Frederick William Herschel is reviewing his [Philosophy of the Inductive Sciences]. Presents an argument to support his a prioristic view of the nature of science.
20 April 1841 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/194
Autograph letter signed by sender. Thanks for John Frederick William Herschel's review of William Whewell's Philosophy of the Inductive Sciences. Admits that too much of it was written in a 'spirit of needless pugnacity.' Believes that John Frederick William Herschel's and William Whewell's views are closer than may appear.
26 June 1841 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/195
Autograph letter signed by sender. Asks John Frederick William Herschel whether he knows of any projects that the B.A.A.S. should fund. Makes further comments on John Frederick William Herschel's review of William Whewell's Philosophy of the Inductive Sciences.
25 July 1841 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/196
Draft in John Herschel's hand. Discusses various items regarding the B.A.A.S., e.g., reduction of meteorological observations, Edward Sabine's proposal for a 'Council of 24,' and areas of science needing funding.
30 July 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/18/197
Autograph letter signed by sender. [Writing shortly after his marriage (12 Oct. 1841) and acceptance a few days later of the Mastership of Trinity College], William Whewell thanks John Frederick William Herschel for his expressions of good will. Invites the Herschels to Trinity Lodge.
24 October 1841 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/198
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Asks William Whewell to be godfather to John Frederick William Herschel's new daughter, Amelia. In reviewing William Whewell's [Philosophy of the Inductive Sciences] has found many of John Frederick William Herschel's views changing, but cannot accept his dear friend's a prioristic approach.
16 April 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/84
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Margaret Herschel and John Frederick William Herschel congratulate William Whewell on his engagement to marry. John Frederick William Herschel sending William Whewell an imperfect copy of John Frederick William Herschel's review of William Whewell's Philosophy of the Inductive Sciences.
June 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/90
Incomplete copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Congratulates William Whewell on moving into Master's Lodge at Trinity College. Asks William Whewell to look after a new Trinity student, the son of John Frederick William Herschel's friend Mr. Hartnell. Is making progress in reducing his Cape observations and is teaching his sons Latin and Greek. Adds some comments on happiness.
November 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/100Birth 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. Describes life in Trinity Lodge and invites John Frederick William Herschel to visit him there. Is writing on ethics and puzzling over the nature of causation.
3 January 1842 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/199
Autograph letter signed by sender. Comments on John Frederick William Herschel's translation of Friedrich Schiller's poem 'The Walk.' Invites the Herschels to Trinity Lodge, then under repair. Mentions James South's odd behavior.
27 December 1842 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/200
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Comments by words and a drawing on William Whewell's statement that William Whewell was trying to 'puff himself out' to fill his new office and house. Also discusses moral philosophy and the theory of causation.
6 January 1842 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/108
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Alerts William Whewell that F. W. Bessel, in very poor health, will attend the Manchester B.A.A.S. meeting. John Frederick William Herschel plans to bring Bessel to Collingwood after the meeting.
June 1842 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/120
Copy of letter, possibly incomplete, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Hopes to arrange a meeting with William Whewell at the invitation of a Mr. Hope. Discusses John Frederick William Herschel's recent photographic works and sends some photographs of improved quality.
July 1842 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/126
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Invites William Whewell for a short visit, John Frederick William Herschel's wife being ill. Thanks William Whewell for paper on cause and effect. Clouds kept John Frederick William Herschel from photographing a recent solar eclipse.
21 July 1842 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/131
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Congratulates William Whewell on a testimonial held in William Whewell's honor in Lancaster. Reports the birth of John Frederick William Herschel's sixth daughter [Julia].
29 September 1842 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/136
Autograph letter signed by sender. Asks John Frederick William Herschel about a comet John Frederick William Herschel had been observing. Notes the publication of J. S. Mill's System of Logic, describing it as closer to John Frederick William Herschel's than to William Whewell's position.
8 April 1843 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/201
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Recounts visit to Collingwood by the novelist Maria Edgeworth. Thanks William Whewell for information on Charles Prichard and his school.
29 November 1843 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/172Birth of Matilda Rose Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1844

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Has been converted to some of William Whewell's philosophical views. Accepts William Whewell's invitation to stay at Trinity Lodge during the 1845 B.A.A.S. meeting in Cambridge. W. R. Dawes has taken a house in Kent.
15 May 1844 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/194
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Seeks William Whewell's advice on a proposal that an international magnetic congress be held in conjunction with the 1845 B.A.A.S. meeting in Cambridge.
22 July 1844 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/201
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Has William Whewell received a packet of letters for the magnetism committee, which packet was circulating.
27 August 1844 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/203Sir John Herschel serves as President of the British Association
1845

Autograph letter signed by sender. Comments on glacial theory. Asks John Frederick William Herschel for his views on mathematical education at Cambridge. William Whewell favors concentration on mathematical classics.
20 August 1845 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/202
Autograph letter signed by sender, with annotations by recipient. Explains to John Frederick William Herschel that William Whewell's Indications of the Creator was written to counteract [Robert Chambers's] Vestiges of Creation. Comments critically on William Hopkins's glacial theory.
12 March 1845 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/211
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Is sending a 'Memoir' [on Francis Baily?] to William Whewell. John Frederick William Herschel and wife but not daughter Caroline will be at Trinity Lodge in June. Comments on a paper by William Hopkins on glaciers.]
March 1845 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/224
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. On behalf of Lady Herschel, John Frederick William Herschel thanks William Whewell for the copy of William Whewell's book [Indications of the Creator]. Chides William Whewell for having written an elementary work.
10 March 1845 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/225
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Invites Whewells to visit for a luncheon. Thanks William Whewell for and comments on William Whewell's publications on glaciers. Comments on Richard Jones.
May 1845 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/232
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Informs William Whewell when John Frederick William Herschel and wife will arrive at Trinity Lodge for B.A.A.S. meeting, before which John Frederick William Herschel proposes a meeting of the magnetic committee.
2 June 1845 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/237
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Urges William Whewell either to be present for a meeting in preparation for the Magnetic Congress or to send written recommendations.
5 June 1845 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/239
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Because of the 'severe loss' recently suffered by Mrs. Whewell, Margaret Herschel will not stay at Trinity Lodge during the B.A.A.S. meeting. John Frederick William Herschel plans to go to Ely after the meeting.
10 June 1845 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/242
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Working on double star orbits. Responds to William Whewell's question [see William Whewell's 1845-8-20] about proper mathematical education at Cambridge, for the most part agreeing with William Whewell's preference for classical works.
5 October 1845 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/249
Copy of a letter. Comments on William Whewell's publication on education [Liberal Education, 1845 ?], especially as it applies to the teaching of mathematics. John Frederick William Herschel has been teaching John Frederick William Herschel's son William mechanics by William Whewell's book on the subject.
1845 to 1850? Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/14/33
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Comments on William Whewell's publication on education [Liberal Education, 1845 ?], especially as it applies to the teaching of mathematics. John Frederick William Herschel has been teaching John Frederick William Herschel's son William mechanics by William Whewell's book on the subject.
1845 to 1850? Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/14/34Birth of Francisca Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1846
Sir John Herschel serves his second term as Foreign Secretary of the Royal Astronomical Society
1846: To 1847

Autograph letter signed by sender. Planning to edit a volume of hexameter verse translations. Wishes to include John Frederick William Herschel's translation of Friedrich Schiller's 'The Walk.'
4 April 1846 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/203
Extract of letter in John Herschel's hand. Presents a detailed discussion of the state of double star astronomy, including number known and number that are probably gravitationally linked. Gives an extended critique of William Whewell's Lectures on Systematic Morality, arguing that William Whewell's system is ultimately a happiness-of-mankind system and consequently rests on expediency considerations.
29 June 1846 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/18/204
Autograph letter signed by sender. Responds to John Frederick William Herschel's argument that William Whewell's system of morality rests on expediency considerations. Argues that it rests more on empirical considerations than John Frederick William Herschel recognizes.
3 July 1846 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/205
Autograph letter signed by sender. Informs John Frederick William Herschel about William Whewell's forthcoming collection of hexameter verse translations. Laments that the discovery of the new planet [Neptune] did not occur at Cambridge.
3 November 1846 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/206
Incomplete copy of letter in John Herschel's hand. Gives corrections to the proof copy of John Frederick William Herschel's translation of Friedrich Schiller's 'The Walk.' Comments on the failure in England to discover the new planet [Neptune] and on his own and James Challis's role in the controversy that erupted.
6 November 1846 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/18/207
Autograph letter signed by sender. Suggests final revisions to John Frederick William Herschel's hexameter translation of Friedrich Schiller's 'The Walk.' Informs John Frederick William Herschel of the other authors of verses in the volume.
23 November 1846 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/208
Copy letter in John Herschel's hand. Responding to a published statement by William Whewell regarding the discovery of Neptune, John Frederick William Herschel presents in detail a different interpretation, giving more credit to U. J. J. Leverrier than William Whewell favored. Suggests that some observatory make a photographic record of sunspots. A pencil note is added in the last page noting "God forgive me for writing this way... the truth lies on the other side & Adams is the 1st theoretical discoverer of Neptune. The whole thing was perverted by Airy's indefensible reticence. On him be the responsibility of the (temporary) transfer of one of the brightest stars in Britain's scientific fame to France"
29 December 1846 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/18/209
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Thanks for William Whewell's Lectures on Systematic Morality. Announces the birth of another daughter [Francisca]. Working on Cape Results.
17 May 1846 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/272
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Remarks on Whewell's principles of morals.
June 1846 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/273
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Pleased that William Whewell is giving a paper at Southampton B.A.A.S. meeting. John Frederick William Herschel will attend. Has completed the printing of most of his Cape Results. Smoke-drifts are besetting Kent.
2 September 1846 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/282
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Gives corrections to the proof copy of John Frederick William Herschel's translation of Friedrich Schiller's 'The Walk.' Comments on the failure in England to discover the new planet [Neptune] and on his own and James Challis's role in the controversy that erupted.
6 November 1846 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/286
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Responding to a published statement by William Whewell regarding the discovery of Neptune, John Frederick William Herschel presents in detail a different interpretation, giving more credit to U. J. J. Leverrier than William Whewell favored. Suggests that some observatory make a photographic record of sunspots.
29 December 1846 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/294
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Gives William Whewell permission to print John Frederick William Herschel's translation of 'The Walk' by Friedrich Schiller. Comments further on the acceptance of pentametric and hexametric verse by the English, and includes a few verses of John Frederick William Herschel's own. John Frederick William Herschel well along in having his Cape Results in print.
4 November 1846 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/13/7
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Regrets missing [C. K. J.] Bunsen's speech. Busy editing N. L. Lacaille's catalogue.
May 1846 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/13/29
Copy of a letter. Comments on proofs of William Whewell's German translations. John Frederick William Herschel recommends that the magnetic observations already made should be reduced to show some results, rather than adding more observations.
1846 to 1847 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/14/35Sir 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. Recommendations on how best to make tidal observations.
1 January 1847 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/210
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Is editing a manual for surveying and exploring expeditions. Asks William Whewell to do section on tides.
23 December 1847 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/22/340The 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. Discusses William Whewell's essay on tides for John Frederick William Herschel's Admiralty Manual, aspects of John Frederick William Herschel's Outlines Astr., and planetary astronomy in general.
4 September 1848 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/212
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Suggests how William Whewell should write his contribution giving instructions for tidal observations for John Frederick William Herschel's Admiralty Manual. Notes the death of John Frederick William Herschel's butler.
5 January 1848 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/2
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Gives directions for and raises questions concerning William Whewell's contribution to John Frederick William Herschel's Admiralty Manual.
16 February 1848 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/13
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Discusses revisions in William Whewell's and Frederick Beechey's papers in John Frederick William Herschel's Admiralty Manual. Also comments on drafting Outlines Astr., the controversy over the discovery of Neptune, and William Lassell's discovery of a new Saturnian satellite.
30 September 1848 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/38
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Comments on a philosophical paper by [Robert Leslie] Ellis, sent him by William Whewell. Discusses his own and Ellis's views on physical causality.
28 November 1848 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/49Sir John Herschel publishes Outlines of Astronomy.
1849

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Asks William Whewell, as one of the trustees of John Frederick William Herschel's marriage settlement, to sign some legal documents.
12 February 1849 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/57
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Thanks William Whewell for two papers, one dealing with G. F. W. Hegel. Discusses a problem in calculating double star orbits.
19 October 1849 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/72Sir John Herschel is appointed Master of the Mint
1850

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Thanks for William Whewell's paper on Aristotle. Discusses the philosophical meaning of the term conception. Mentions a visitation to the universities involving the Royal Commission on the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge [on which John Frederick William Herschel eventually served].
5 May 1850 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/86
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Discusses John Frederick William Herschel's chemical experiences with sulphuret of lead. Leaves for the continent 'on Monday next.' Has conditionally accepted a position on the Royal Commission on the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.
21 August 1850 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/90Sir John Herschel serves as juror of the Great Exhibition
1851

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Suggests how to reconcile William Whewell's directions for tidal observation with those provided by Frederick Beechey for John Frederick William Herschel's Admiralty Manual. Thanks William Whewell for and comments on his publication on political economy. Asks William Whewell for views on decimal coinage.
2 February 1851 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/95
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Suggests revisions William Whewell should make in his paper in the 2nd ed. of John Frederick William Herschel's Admiralty Manual so as to make it more consistent with Frederick Beechey's.
4 February 1851 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/96
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Seeks to coordinate William Whewell's and Frederick Beechey's contributions to John Frederick William Herschel's Admiralty Manual.
February 1851 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/97
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Asks approval for proposed changes in William Whewell's revised contribution to John Frederick William Herschel's Admiralty Manual.
27 February 1851 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/98
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Asks William Whewell to sign a letter to Lord John Russell being circulated on behalf of Richard Jones.
25 July 1851 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/105
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. '[J. R.] Hind and [George] Bishop are delighted with your name Eirene (vulgo Irene) for the new planet[oid]....'
23 May 1851 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/201
Autograph letter signed by sender. Asks John Frederick William Herschel's opinion of an anonymous book [William Whewell's Of the Plurality of Worlds: An Essay]. Describes it written 'very fairly' but as presenting views very different from John Frederick William Herschel's.
3 January 1854 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/213
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Comments on Of the Plurality of Worlds: An Essay. Suspects it is by William Whewell. Disagrees with many parts, but finds some sections 'striking.' Laments that he has no time for intellectual matters, punning that he must concentrate on 'making money.'
February 1854 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/140
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Describes the abilities and special interests of John Frederick William Herschel's son Alexander, who, John Frederick William Herschel hopes, will enter Trinity College, Cambridge, in Oct. 1855.
28 October 1854 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/149Birth of Constance Anne Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1855
Sir John Herschel is elected Foreign Associate of the Institut de France
1855
Sir John Herschel resigns from his position as Master of the Mint
1855

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Looking forward to a visit from William Whewell. Glad to hear that William Whewell is editing Richard Jones's unpublished works. Sad to hear that George Peacock is seriously ill. Comments negatively on a book by Herbert Spencer.
12 April 1857 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/196
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Thanks William Whewell for letters. Has been visited by [ [J. B. L.] Foucault; impressed by Foucault's instruments. Notes large number of sunspots.
17 September 1857 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/205
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Discusses B.A.A.S. business and asks for William Whewell's views on some magnetic observations.
30 January 1858 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/218
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Congratulates William Whewell on his planned marriage to Lady Affleck. Forwards some letters from Edward Sabine.
21 June 1858 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/233
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Discusses various arrangements of the chemical elements, including those of [J. P.] Cooke and [John] Mercer. Asks William Whewell about capillary action.
19 October 1858 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/244
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Thanks for William Whewell's views on capillary action. Asks for facts about George Peacock on whom John Frederick William Herschel was writing an obituary.
17 December 1858 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/250
Autograph letter signed by sender. Asks John Frederick William Herschel for his impressions of the Aberdeen B.A.A.S. meeting and of U. J. J. Leverrier's claim that there may be an intermercurial planet.
29 September 1859 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/214
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Asks William Whewell to check John Frederick William Herschel's draft report for the Meteorological and Magnetic Committee. Illness will keep him from attending the B.A.A.S. meeting.
4 September 1859 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/275Sir John Herschel publishes in the Proceedings of the Royal Society
1860: Sir John Herschel publishes some “Remarks on colour-blindness" extracted from a referee report on Pole’s paper on the same subject.

Autograph letter signed by sender. Page 1 and 2 largely repeat each other. Comments on Kantian subjective view of time. Has Herschel seen Clerk Maxwell's theory of colours in Phil. Trans.? Discusses spectrum asking a question about colour boundaries answered in marginalia by Herschel " They do not". Affectionate regards to Lady Herschel.
29 November 1860 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/215Death of Margaret Louisa Marshall, née Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1861
William Morris established the decorative design firm of Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Company (later Morris & Company)
1861
Charles Dickens publishes Great Expectations as a three-volume book
1861
Sir John Herschel publishes Physical Geography as part of the Encyclopaedia Britannica.
1861
Abraham Lincoln begins his term as President of the United States
4 March 1861

Autographed letter . Offers consolation to John Frederick William Herschel on the death of his daughter Margaret Louisa.
27 January 1861 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/216
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's 'scientific activity' has long been at zero, but John Frederick William Herschel has of late been preparing a lecture on the sun and translating Homer's Iliad.
5 December 1861 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/353
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Asks William Whewell's opinion of John Frederick William Herschel's hexameter translation of the opening section of Homer's Iliad. Comments on the value of hexameter verse.
12 December 1861 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/357
Autograph letter signed by sender. Condolences on Margaret Louisa Herschel's death. Regarding a cheque payable to Sir John Herschel. Refers to Wilfred Airy, son of Biddell Airy. Used as draft paper for Public School Commission letters.
22 January 1861 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/27/87m
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Thanks for volume three of William Whewell's Plato edition. Responds to William Whewell's comments on John Frederick William Herschel's translation of the first section of Homer's Iliad.
22 January 1862 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/359
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Responds to William Whewell's comments on John Frederick William Herschel's Iliad translation. Is preparing a 'General Index Catalogue of Nebulae,' with help from computists supplied by G. B. Airy. Asks William Whewell to recommend John Frederick William Herschel's son Alexander for a professorship at the Andersonian University of Glasgow.
10 April 1862 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/366
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Sends, along with comments, John Frederick William Herschel's translation of part of Book II of Homer's Iliad. Is avoiding consulting other translations.
17 April 1862 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/368
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Sends another section of John Frederick William Herschel's Iliad translation. Regrets he cannot come to the Cambridge B.A.A.S. meeting. Sends lines of the Iliad translated by Augustus DeMorgan.
8 May 1862 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/374
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Is sending his essay on atoms. Responds to William Whewell's comments on John Frederick William Herschel's Iliad translation. Comments on controversy between G. B. Airy and Edward Sabine.
29 October 1862 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/391
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Sends translation of Book III of Homer's Iliad and a memorial for Thomas Maclear.
27 December 1862 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/401
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Thanks William Whewell for and comments on William Whewell's Lectures on Political Economy. Has learned that the theory of rent is exploded. John Frederick William Herschel's daughter Julia is seriously ill.
22 January 1863 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/24/7
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Responds to William Whewell's comments on parts of John Frederick William Herschel's translation of Homer's Iliad. Is sending his rendering of Book V. Has been ill.
10 February 1864 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/24/30
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Thanks William Whewell for comments on Book V of John Frederick William Herschel's Iliad translation; sending Book VI. John Frederick William Herschel's son William and John Frederick William Herschel's daughters enjoyed visiting William Whewell. Has suffered for three months from severe bronchitis.
2 April 1864 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/24/36
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Responds to some of William Whewell's comments on John Frederick William Herschel's Iliad translation. May publish Books I-VI. Comments on Alexander Pope's translation.
11 April 1864 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/24/38
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Sends Book VII of John Frederick William Herschel's Iliad translation. Son William to be married Thursday. John Frederick William Herschel continues to be ill.
16 May 1864 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/24/46
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Sends Book XI of John Frederick William Herschel's Iliad translation. Comments on Book XI. Severe bronchitis continues.
21 October 1864 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/24/62
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Responds to William Whewell's comments on John Frederick William Herschel's Iliad translation. Sending Book X.
July 1864 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/24/65
Autograph letter signed by sender. Delighted by visit from John Frederick William Herschel's daughter Maria and her new husband. Looks forward to meeting Mr. Prescott [see John Frederick William Herschel's 1865-10-22].
3 November 1865 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/219
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is returning Book XXIV of John Frederick William Herschel's Iliad translation. Asks him about his plans for publication. Has written letter of introduction for John Frederick William Herschel's daughter Maria.
14 November 1865 Sender: William Whewell Reference number: HS/18/220
Draft in John Herschel's hand. Asks William Whewell to recommend John Frederick William Herschel's Iliad translation to Macmillan. Discusses possibility of publication of selections.
11 December 1865 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/18/221
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Sends Book XIV of John Frederick William Herschel's Iliad translation. Fears he may not live to finish it and may not find a publisher. Glorious winter in England. Son William and wife have arrived in Calcutta.
29 January 1865 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/24/82
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Marriage of daughter Maria set for 12 October. Daughter Amelia will visit Whewells in November. John Frederick William Herschel's Iliad translation nearly complete.
27 September 1865 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/24/121
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Asks William Whewell to welcome Mr. Prescott, a minister taking a position in Cambridge. Comments on a new Iliad translation.
22 October 1865 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/24/125
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Sends Book XXIV of John Frederick William Herschel's Iliad translation. Pleased with his translation, but worries whether a publisher will take it. John Frederick William Herschel's daughter Maria enjoyed visiting William Whewell; daughter Amelia arriving soon.
3 November 1865 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/24/127
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Thanks William Whewell for and comments on his suggestions on John Frederick William Herschel's translation of Book XXIV of Homer's Iliad.
November 1865 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/24/130
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Describes John Frederick William Herschel's search for a publisher of John Frederick William Herschel's Iliad translation. Sending a sample to [Matthew] Arnold. Hopes William Whewell is better; feels very old.
7 December 1865 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/24/133
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Asks William Whewell to recommend John Frederick William Herschel's Iliad translation to Macmillan. Discusses possibility of publication of selections.
11 December 1865 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/24/134Sir John Herschel publishes his translation of Homer’s Iliad
1866
