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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Letter, from Sir John Herschel to William Thomson, dated at Collingwood

Reference number: HS/17/349a

Date: 25 August 1864

Description

Autograph letter signed by sender. Thanks William Thomson for paper on rigidity of the earth; agrees tidal action affects not only fluid motion of earth, but the solid as well. Mentions John Frederick William Herschel's paper of the previous year suggesting that tidal waves cause earthquakes. Raises questions about the idea of the earth as a magnet and about William Thomson's dynamical theory of heat.

Reference number
HS/17/349a
Earliest possible date
25 August 1864
Page extent
2 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 William Thomson, dated at Collingwood, 25 August 1864, HS/17/349a, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_17_349a/letter-from-sir-john-herschel-to-william-thomson-dated-at-collingwood, accessed on 22 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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