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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Correspondence Explorer

Choose two people to view all letters between them.

Showing 10 letters from 1839–1847

6 letters from Luke Howard; 4 letters from John Frederick William Herschel

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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

Copy of a letter. Luke Howard's meteorological circular register was laid before the Meteorological Committee, which considers it worthy of notice. Comments on this, and would like to discuss the matter further.

Reference number: HS/10/1

Autograph letter signed by sender. Will not be able to come to town for some time so sends answers to John Frederick William Herschel's comments on his Circular Register. Hopes John Frederick William Herschel can call to see him; then he can explain more fully.

Reference number: HS/10/2

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Luke Howard's meteorological circular register was laid before the Meteorological Committee, which considers it worthy of notice. Comments on this, and would like to discuss the matter further.

Reference number: HS/22/16
1840

Sir John Herschel publishes in the Philosophical Transactions

1840: Sir John Herschel publishes “On the chemical action of the rays of the solar spectrum on preparations of silver and other substances, both metallic and non-metallic; and on some photographic processes”

Autograph letter signed by sender. Has been applying his mode of calculation for the barometrical heights for the years 1815-23 and sent the results to the Royal Society [of London] As John Frederick William Herschel may not see them he sends a few comments on them. Would like a suitable colleague to share his labors.

Reference number: HS/10/3

Autograph letter signed by sender. Encloses some more calculations of height by means of the barometric mean temperature. Comments on these. Staying at Ackworth until April.

Reference number: HS/10/4
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. Has been considering the reasons for the great depression of the barometer in November 1840. Thinks John Frederick William Herschel may be interested in the enclosed essay. Would be pleased if it could be read to the Royal Society.

Reference number: HS/10/5
1842

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

1842

Sir John Herschel publishes in the Philosophical Transactions

1842: Sir John Herschel publishes “On the action of the rays of the solar spectrum on vegetable colours, and on some new photographic processes”

1844

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

1844

1845

Sir John Herschel serves as President of the British Association

1845

1846

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

1846

Sir John Herschel serves his second term as Foreign Secretary of the Royal Astronomical Society

1846: To 1847

Autograph letter signed by sender. Hopes his friends will support the publication of his Barometrographia, which will be exhibited at the forthcoming B.A.A.S. meeting.

Reference number: HS/10/6

Draft letter. Will distribute the prospectuses of Luke Howard's book as desired, but regrets he will be unable to subscribe for a copy himself as its price is too expensive for his means. Pleased to hear of his good health.

Reference number: HS/10/7

Copy of draft letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Will distribute the prospectuses of Luke Howard's book as desired, but regrets he will be unable to subscribe for a copy himself as its price is too expensive for his means. Pleased to hear of his good health.

Reference number: HS/22/284
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. Has directed the printers, Taylors, to send John Frederick William Herschel's booksellers the parts of the Barometrographia as issued, free of all costs. The science of meteorology attracts little attention at the moment.

Reference number: HS/10/8