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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Letter, from William Henry Smyth to Admiral Robert FitzRoy

Reference number: HS/16/315

Date: 24 November 1860

Description

Autograph letter signed by sender, enclosed to following item. Asks Robert FitzRoy to support the election of Captain [Charles Frederick Alexander] Shadwell to the Fellowship of the Royal Society [of London]. Believes Shadwell's lunar observation of great merit. Understands that [Edward] Sabine had previously given encouragement and can advocate for Shadwell's election from Council. Asks for FitzRoy's signature and for him to ask Captain [John] Washington to also sign the election certificate, then to return the paper to Sir John Herschel.
Letter annotated by Herschel on page 1: "signed, from general knowledge". Smyth, FitzRoy and Washington are number 1;2;3 proposers from personal knowledge on the election certificate.

Reference number
HS/16/315
Earliest possible date
24 November 1860
Page extent
2 pages
Format
Manuscript
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Creator name

William Henry Smyth

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Citation

William Henry Smyth, Letter, from William Henry Smyth to Admiral Robert FitzRoy, 24 November 1860, HS/16/315, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_16_315/letter-from-william-henry-smyth-to-admiral-robert-fitzroy, accessed on 24 June 2025

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  • Herschel Letters

    This collection of nearly 10,900 letters, drafts, copies and notes is the largest repository of scientific correspondence from and to Sir John Herschel, leading figure of Victorian science.

    Dates: 1807 - 1875

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