Skip to content

Please be aware that some material may contain words, descriptions or illustrations which will not reflect current scientific understanding and may be considered in today's context inaccurate, unethical, offensive or distressing.

The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Letter, from William Henry Fox Talbot to Sir John Herschel, dated at Lacock Abbey

Reference number: HS/17/301

Date: 30 April 1840

Description

Autograph letter signed by sender. Waxes lyrical about nature, and comments on a new 'positive' paper John Frederick William Herschel has sent. Refers to John Frederick William Herschel's move to Hawkhurst.

Reference number
HS/17/301
Earliest possible date
30 April 1840
Page extent
3 pages
Format
Manuscript
Also available on Epsilon
View Also available on Epsilon (external link, opens in new tab)

Creator names

William Henry Fox Talbot

View page for William Henry Fox Talbot

William Henry Fox Talbot

View page for William Henry Fox Talbot

Use this record

IIIF manifest

View​ IIIF ​ manifest Opens in new tab

Open in Mirador viewer Opens in new tab

Export this record

Download PDF Opens in new tab

Citation

William Henry Fox Talbot, William Henry Fox Talbot, Letter, from William Henry Fox Talbot to Sir John Herschel, dated at Lacock Abbey, 30 April 1840, HS/17/301, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_17_301/letter-from-william-henry-fox-talbot-to-sir-john-herschel-dated-at-lacock-abbey, accessed on 12 February 2026

Link to this record

https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_17_301/letter-from-william-henry-fox-talbot-to-sir-john-herschel-dated-at-lacock-abbey

Embed this record

<iframe src="https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/embed/items/hs_17_301/letter-from-william-henry-fox-talbot-to-sir-john-herschel-dated-at-lacock-abbey" title="Letter, from William Henry Fox Talbot to Sir John Herschel, dated at Lacock Abbey" allow="fullscreen" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="500px"></iframe>

Hierarchy

This item is part of:

Related Fellows

Map

Explore the collection

  • 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