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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Letter, from Sir John Herschel to Mary Somerville, dated at Harley St.

Reference number: HS/16/356

Date: 2 March 1851

Description

Autograph letter signed by sender. John Frederick William's new position [Master of the Mint] took him by surprise and left no time for other research. Describes his second residence in London as being close to many of his 'old scientific friends' - residing in the same street as William Henry Fitton and Charles Lyell. Discusses family matters. Comments on the preparations for the Great Exhibition and renewed agitation over Papal aggression. Mild winter caused more cases of influenza. Has not seen snow since October when he was in France. Describes his two months travel in France [from Clermont to Paris] accompanied by his two eldest daughters.
Describes the discovery of the ring of Saturn. Comments on her account of a phenomenon related to electromagnetism.

Reference number
HS/16/356
Earliest possible date
2 March 1851
Page extent
4 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 Harley St., 2 March 1851, HS/16/356, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_16_356/letter-from-sir-john-herschel-to-mary-somerville-dated-at-harley-st, 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

    View collection