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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Letter, from Sir John Herschel to Mary Somerville, dated at Collingwood

Reference number: HS/16/348

Date: 17 March 1844

Description

Autograph letter signed by sender. John Frederick William Herschel sending papers on his actinochemistry (photography). Discusses [James] Forbes's viscosity theory, nebulae of Southern Hemisphere. Explains his photographic processes Cyanotype and Amphytype and promises to send to Mary Somerville Robert Hunt's upcoming book. Asks Mary Somerville if she can guide someone to testify on functions of De Vico's great refractor at Collegio Romano. The monks at Collegio Romano will not allow Mary Somerville to do it herself. John Frederick William Herschel would trust [William] Somerville judgement. Discusses Lord Rosse's telescopes, and observation of the [De Vico?] comet in Halifax (Nova Scotia), and comments on politics in England.

Reference number
HS/16/348
Earliest possible date
17 March 1844
Page extent
5 pages
Format
Manuscript
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Creator name

John Frederick William Herschel

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Citation

John Frederick William Herschel, Letter, from Sir John Herschel to Mary Somerville, dated at Collingwood, 17 March 1844, HS/16/348, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_16_348/letter-from-sir-john-herschel-to-mary-somerville-dated-at-collingwood, accessed on 25 March 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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