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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to Mary Somerville

Reference number: HS/16/378

Date: 14 March 1869

Description

Copy letter in John Herschel's hand. Commentary on manuscript [Personal Recollections?] that [Mary Somerville] sent to John Frederick William Herschel one month ago. Career of scientific learning and domestic happiness will inspire future generations. Suggests publishing it posthumously for greater impact. Corrects passages about Charles Babbage. Gives purpose, history, and membership of each of two Standards committees, one of 1819 and one of 1838. Suggests avoiding topic of bitter controversy over invention of electric telegraph. Sends regards from Lady Herschel and "one youngest of our numerous girls who though not so happy as to be personally known to you are full of admiration and enjoyment of many of your work".

Reference number
HS/16/378
Earliest possible date
14 March 1869
Page extent
6 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 Mary Somerville, 14 March 1869, HS/16/378, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_16_378/copy-letter-from-sir-john-herschel-to-mary-somerville, accessed on 14 March 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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