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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

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

Reference number: HS/18/215

Date: 29 November 1860

Description

Autograph letter signed by sender. Page 1 and 2 largely repeat each other. Comments on Kantian subjective view of time. Has Herschel seen Clerk Maxwell's theory of colours in Phil. Trans.? Discusses spectrum asking a question about colour boundaries answered in marginalia by Herschel " They do not". Affectionate regards to Lady Herschel.

Reference number
HS/18/215
Earliest possible date
29 November 1860
Page extent
3 pages
Format
Manuscript

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 Lodge, Cambridge, 29 November 1860, HS/18/215, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_18_215/letter-from-william-whewell-to-sir-john-herschel-dated-at-trinity-lodge-cambridge, accessed on 12 February 2026

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https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_18_215/letter-from-william-whewell-to-sir-john-herschel-dated-at-trinity-lodge-cambridge

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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