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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Letter, from William Whewell to Sir John Herschel, dated at Trinity College

Reference number: HS/18/182

Date: 3 June 1831

Description

Autograph letter signed by sender. Returns the collection of optical writings that John Frederick William Herschel had sent. Comments on the controversy over the nature of light. Criticizes paper by Richard Potter attacking John Frederick William Herschel and other wave theorists of light.

Reference number
HS/18/182
Earliest possible date
3 June 1831
Page extent
2 pages
Format
Manuscript
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Creator names

William Whewell

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William Whewell

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Citation

William Whewell, William Whewell, Letter, from William Whewell to Sir John Herschel, dated at Trinity College, 3 June 1831, HS/18/182, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_18_182/letter-from-william-whewell-to-sir-john-herschel-dated-at-trinity-college, accessed on 12 February 2026

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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