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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to William Henry Smyth

Reference number: HS/16/323

Date: 8 November 1857

Description

Incomplete letter in John Herschel's hand. Has heard William Henry Smyth is publishing an English translation of François Arago's astronomical writings. Urges against including Arago's lectures if the Italian translation is indicative of their level of accuracy. Lists numerous errors in that edition. [Marked 'not sent.' Note added to CDraft (RS:HS 25.13.13) states: 'A letter differently worded but noting some of these points, but not all (for particular reasons) if I remember right was sent.'

Reference number
HS/16/323
Earliest possible date
8 November 1857
Page extent
3 pages
Format
Manuscript
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Creator name

John Frederick William Herschel

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Citation

John Frederick William Herschel, Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to William Henry Smyth, 8 November 1857, HS/16/323, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_16_323/copy-letter-from-sir-john-herschel-to-william-henry-smyth, accessed on 12 August 2026

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    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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