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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Unpublished paper, 'Experiments and observations on the rotation of an iron plate 18 inches in diameter as affecting the magnetic needle suggested by S H [Samuel Hunter] Christie Esq of Woolwich' by Henry Foster

Reference number: AP/12/9

Date: 1825

Description

Data tables from experiments carried out by Foster on the effect of the rotation of an iron plate on the magnetic needle, along with brief descriptions of the experiments. The experiments were carried out in Port Bowen [Queensland, Australia].

An ink inscription at top of covering page reads '(No 83. b) JFWH [John Frederick William Herschel]' and below the title, 'Not intended for Publication but as a deposit for reference'. Numerous annotations appear throughout in ink and graphite.

Subject: Geodesy

Written by Foster in Port Bowen. Received by the Royal Society on 16 December 1825.

Reference number
AP/12/9
Earliest possible date
1825
Physical description
Ink on paper
Page extent
40 pages
Format
Manuscript

Creator name

Henry Foster

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Citation

Henry Foster, Unpublished paper, 'Experiments and observations on the rotation of an iron plate 18 inches in diameter as affecting the magnetic needle suggested by S H [Samuel Hunter] Christie Esq of Woolwich' by Henry Foster, 1825, AP/12/9, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/ap_12_9/unpublished-paper-experiments-and-observations-on-the-rotation-of-an-iron-plate-18-inches-in-diameter-as-affecting-the-magnetic-needle-suggested-by-s-h-samuel-hunter-christie-esq-of-woolwich-by-henry-foster, accessed on 14 July 2026

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https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/ap_12_9/unpublished-paper-experiments-and-observations-on-the-rotation-of-an-iron-plate-18-inches-in-diameter-as-affecting-the-magnetic-needle-suggested-by-s-h-samuel-hunter-christie-esq-of-woolwich-by-henry-foster

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  • Archived Papers

    The 'Archived Papers' collection is comprised of original manuscript scientific papers and letters submitted to the Royal Society which remained unpublished or were abstracted in the journal 'Proceedings of the Royal Society' published from 1830 onwards.

    Dates: 1768 - 1989

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