Correspondence map
Interact with the map by zooming, clicking hotspots, and selecting items to see more details. Hit play on the timeline to show correspondence over time.
Robert FitzRoy
John Frederick William Herschel
Birth of Alexander Stewart Herschel, son of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
5 February 1836
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sending some curious magnetic observations made at the Cape. Regarding chronometer measurements. Changes of temperature over sea and land compared.
1 July 1836 Sender: Robert FitzRoy Reference number: HS/7/246
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sending a packet. Weather and winds have been unsuitable. Will send Thomas Maclear's packet by the next vessel.
8 July 1836 Sender: Robert FitzRoy Reference number: HS/7/247
Draft letter. Sends a copy of the printed paper by Robert FitzRoy. Regarding chronometer measurements. Has just received a communication from Alexander von Humboldt in which he seems to have anticipated both John Frederick William Herschel's and Robert FitzRoy's ideas. Comments on a new machine for sounding.
3 October 1836 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/7/248
Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Sends a copy of the printed paper by Robert FitzRoy. Regarding chronometer measurements. Has just received a communication from Alexander von Humboldt in which he seems to have anticipated both John Frederick William Herschel's and Robert FitzRoy's ideas. Comments on a new machine for sounding.
3 October 1836 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/21/216
Draft letter. Sends a copy of the printed paper by Robert FitzRoy. Regarding chronometer measurements. Has just received a communication from Alexander von Humboldt in which he seems to have anticipated both John Frederick William Herschel's and Robert FitzRoy's ideas. Comments on a new machine for sounding.
3 October 1836 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/5/2
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.
1839
Sir John Herschel serves his first term as President of the Royal Astronomical Society
1839: to 1841
Birth of Maria Sophia Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1839
William Henry Fox Talbot presents his paper-based photographic process at the Royal Society
1839
1840
Sir John Herschel publishes in the Philosophical Transactions
1840: Sir John Herschel publishes “On the chemical action of the rays of the solar spectrum on preparations of silver and other substances, both metallic and non-metallic; and on some photographic processes”
1841
Sir Robert Peel becomes Prime Minister
1841
Birth of Amelia Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1841
Draft letter. Returning some papers that should have been returned earlier. Hopes all are well.
2 February 1841 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel , Sir; John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/7/249
Autograph letter signed by sender. Was pleased to receive the letter and old papers. Remembers his time at the Cape with pleasure. Has been interested, but not convinced, by J. C. Ross's soundings.
20 February 1841 Sender: Robert FitzRoy Reference number: HS/7/250
1842
Birth of Julia Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1842
Sir John Herschel publishes in the Philosophical Transactions
1842: Sir John Herschel publishes “On the action of the rays of the solar spectrum on vegetable colours, and on some new photographic processes”
1844
Birth of Matilda Rose Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1844
1845
Sir John Herschel serves as President of the British Association
1845
1846
Birth of Francisca Herschel, daughter of John Frederick William Herschel and Margaret Brodie Stewart
1846
Sir John Herschel serves his second term as Foreign Secretary of the Royal Astronomical Society
1846: To 1847
1847
Sir John Herschel serves his second term as President of the Royal Astronomical Society
1847: Until 1849
Sir John Herschel receives the Copley Medal
1847: Sir John Herschel receives the Copley Medal of the Royal Society "For his work entitled Results of Astronomical Observations made during the years 1834, 1835, 1836, 1837 and 1838, at the Cape of Good Hope; being a completion of a telescopic survey of the whole surface of the visible heavens, commenced in 1825"
Sir John Herschel publishes a paper
1847: Sir John Herschel publishes Results of astronomical observations made during the years 1834, 5, 6, 7, 8, at the Cape of Good Hope; being a completion of a telescopic survey of the whole surface of the visible heavens, commenced in 1825.
1848
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
1849
Sir John Herschel publishes Outlines of Astronomy.
1849
1850
Sir John Herschel is appointed Master of the Mint
1850
1851
Sir John Herschel serves as juror of the Great Exhibition
1851
1852
Copy of a letter. Is trying to help Robert FitzRoy understand the difference between the dynamics of solid bodies moving over each other and the dynamics of moving fluids, both water and air.
1852 or later Sender: John Frederick William Herschel , Sir; John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/25/14/11
1855
Birth 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
1858
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sending some publications to show the kind of work he is doing. Has read John Frederick William Herschel's Admiralty Manual and congratulates him on its authority. Has been reading J. P. Espy's Fourth Report. Note of W. J. S. Pullen's soundings in the South Atlantic.
8 April 1858 Sender: Robert FitzRoy Reference number: HS/7/251
Autograph letter signed by sender. Entirely agrees with his views on M. F. Maury. Is surprised at David Brewster's review of Maury's work. Would John Frederick William Herschel comment on Robert FitzRoy's work on weather forecasting.
4 May 1858 Sender: Robert FitzRoy Reference number: HS/7/252
Copy of a letter. Comments on wind and current charts John Frederick William Herschel has received from Robert FitzRoy.
10 April 1858 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel , Sir; John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/229
1860
Sir 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.
Copy of a letter. Asks for meteorological data that Robert FitzRoy may have collected.
22 August 1860 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel , Sir; John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/304
Copy of a letter, incomplete. Asks for information about wrecks at sea and lives lost.
22 October 1860 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel , Sir; John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/311
Copy of a letter. Thanks for a number of Robert FitzRoy's writings; asks for more rainfall data to try to establish a relationship between rainfall and the solar cycle.
24 October 1860 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel , Sir; John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/312
Copy of a letter. Thanks for all the material received; comments on some of Robert FitzRoy's meteorological ideas.
31 October 1860 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel , Sir; John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/315
Copy of a letter. Comments on Robert FitzRoy's writing on drifting ice; comments extensively on Robert FitzRoy's ideas about air circulation.
6 November 1860 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel , Sir; John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/316
Copy of a letter. Comments on difficulties John Frederick William Herschel finds in some of Robert FitzRoy's writings.
28 November 1860 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel , Sir; John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/318
1861
Death 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
Autograph letter signed by sender. Thanks for sending his Physical Geography. Wonders whether a rainbow could be reflected to the eye from water. Startled to read J. R. Hind's letter about the comet. Encloses a letter from a railway surveyor about an earthquake in Mendoza. This person has been responsible for the railway between Chile and Peru. Comments on the gradients and working of the line.
10 May 1861 Sender: Robert FitzRoy Reference number: HS/7/253
Copy of a letter. Comments on whether a rainbow could be reflected to the eye from water. Comets approach quite near to the earth on many occasions. Regarding the development of South America.
12 May 1861 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel , Sir; John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/7/254
Autograph letter signed by sender. Is grateful for John Frederick William Herschel's views on the rainbow question. Intends to send his comments to the London Review, if he has no objections. What effects would the Comet have if it hits the Earth? Mr. Wheelwright appears to be in error on his earthquake views.
14 May 1861 Sender: Robert FitzRoy Reference number: HS/7/255
Autograph letter signed by sender. Has checked over John Frederick William Herschel's letter on rainbows and will have it signed Herschel. Encloses a scrap about rain. Mr. Wheelwright's note is curious. Will send a copy of the London Review.
17 May 1861 Sender: Robert FitzRoy Reference number: HS/7/256
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sending some reports of the Meteorological Dept. Would also like to send a wind-glass and a 'watch=aneroid' but has refrained as he knows John Frederick William Herschel is encumbered with many such things. Encloses a note from Charles Green (Rush's air pilot). Sends a few more notes for his rain collection.
5 October 1861 Sender: Robert FitzRoy Reference number: HS/7/257
Copy of a letter. On the effect of the earth passing through a comet's tail.
6 May 1861 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel , Sir; John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/330
Copy of a letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Comments on whether a rainbow could be reflected to the eye from water. Comets approach quite near to the earth on many occasions. Regarding the development of South America.
12 May 1861 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/331
Copy of a letter. Thanks for Robert FitzRoy's daily barometric reports in the Times; comments on Robert FitzRoy's investigation of the 'Royal Charter' storm.
7 October 1861 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/341
1862
Autograph letter signed by sender. Weather has been so interesting lately that he is emboldened to send the enclosed chart. Department is progressing in spite of U. J. J. Leverrier's protest. Picked up one of John Frederick William Herschel's pamphlets published at the Cape. Sends one of the Meteorological Manuals issued by the Dept.
24 January 1862 Sender: Robert FitzRoy Reference number: HS/7/258
Readings taken from reading from barometer, exposed thermometer, moistened bulb, direction of wind, force, could, description of atmosphere of the sky, sea disturbances, wet conditions and calm.
24 January 1862 Sender: Robert FitzRoy , Robert FitzRoy Reference number: HS/7/258a
Autograph letter signed by sender. Regarding water in the atmosphere. Effect of the moon on clouds. Some of the curiosities seen by his son while at the Embassy in Japan, including a device for giving warnings of earthquakes. Intends to show combinations of wind currents.
21 April 1862 Sender: Robert FitzRoy Reference number: HS/7/259
Autograph letter signed by sender. Further comments regarding the pressure of the atmosphere. His sketch was to demonstrate the currents of air. John Frederick William Herschel's comments on the moon were interesting.
25 April 1862 Sender: Robert FitzRoy Reference number: HS/7/260
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sending a gift of his Weather Book. Hopes John Frederick William Herschel will send his comments on chapter 18. Has scarcely seen M. F. Maury.
24 December 1862 Sender: Robert FitzRoy Reference number: HS/7/261
Copy of a letter. Comments on barometric readings and the signaling process.
27 January 1862 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel , Sir; John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/360
Copy of a letter. Thanks for a report by Robert FitzRoy; comments on barometric readings.
17 April 1862 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel , Sir; John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/369
Copy of a letter. Comments on the pressure of the atmosphere; is convinced of the effect of the full moon on weather.
23 April 1862 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel , Sir; John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/370
Copy of a letter. On the dynamics of atmospheric pressure and the pressure on clouds and birds.
2 May 1862 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel , Sir; John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/371
Copy of a letter. Thanks for gift of a book [Robert FitzRoy's Weather Book].
25 December 1862 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel , Sir; John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/400
1863
Autograph letter signed by sender. Enjoyed reading the dialogues of Hermogenes and Hermione [John Frederick William Herschel's 'On Atoms']. Found William Higgins's book some years ago and it appeared the basis for John Dalton's views. Finds astronomy and geology the basis for Old Testament inspiration. How absurd is the modern notion of circuits.
15 January 1863 Sender: Robert FitzRoy Reference number: HS/7/262
Autograph letter signed by sender. Book he intended to write has had to be postponed as he has been asked to prepare a second edition of his Weather Book. Sends a proof of the revision of the 18th chapter.
10 March 1863 Sender: Robert FitzRoy Reference number: HS/7/263
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sending a paper to replace the one sent previously. Comments on the effect of the moon on the atmosphere. Wrote his Weather Book in a great hurry. Regrets the expression 'lines of force' but had the approbation of several practical electricians.
16 May 1863 Sender: Robert FitzRoy Reference number: HS/7/264
Autograph letter signed by sender. Thanks for his opinion; it will save him from exposure, but it is too late to get the book altered. Comments on some parts of John Frederick William Herschel's book on meteorology. The atmosphere appears to be smaller in extent than John Dalton conceived.
20 March 1863 Sender: Robert FitzRoy Reference number: HS/7/265
Autograph letter signed by sender. Sends three pamphlets by Lieut. John Maclear. Was very interested in John Frederick William Herschel's 'Words for January."
24 December 1863 Sender: Robert FitzRoy Reference number: HS/7/266
Autograph letter signed by sender. Speculates on gravitational effect of sun and moon on earth's atmosphere.
11 March 1863 Sender: Robert FitzRoy Reference number: HS/19/217
Copy of a letter. Comments on Robert FitzRoy's ideas on the gravitational effect of the sun and moon on the earth's atmosphere.
13 March 1863 Sender: John Frederick William Herschel , Sir; John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS/23/327