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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Extract of letter, from Sir John Herschel to William Whewell, dated at Collingwood

Reference number: HS/18/204

Date: 29 June 1846

Description

Extract of letter in John Herschel's hand. Presents a detailed discussion of the state of double star astronomy, including number known and number that are probably gravitationally linked. Gives an extended critique of William Whewell's Lectures on Systematic Morality, arguing that William Whewell's system is ultimately a happiness-of-mankind system and consequently rests on expediency considerations.

Reference number
HS/18/204
Earliest possible date
29 June 1846
Page extent
9 pages
Format
Manuscript
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Creator name

John Frederick William Herschel

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Citation

John Frederick William Herschel, Extract of letter, from Sir John Herschel to William Whewell, dated at Collingwood, 29 June 1846, HS/18/204, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_18_204/extract-of-letter-from-sir-john-herschel-to-william-whewell-dated-at-collingwood, accessed on 20 April 2025

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https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_18_204/extract-of-letter-from-sir-john-herschel-to-william-whewell-dated-at-collingwood

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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