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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Copy letter, from Charles Babbage to Lady Herschel [Mary Pitt Herschel]

Reference number: HS/20/119a

Date: July 1821

Description

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father.
Answer to 9 July 1821 from Lady Herschel. On the topic of Babbage being asked to become a trustee for the proposed marriage settlement of John Herschel and Harriet Gwatkin. States that he will operate to the letter of the deeds but at present is reluctant to act as trustee as John Herschel has not opened up to him about the circomstances of the marriage proposal. Hopes that will change shortly.

Reference number
HS/20/119a
Earliest possible date
July 1821
Page extent
3 pages
Format
Manuscript

Creator name

Charles Babbage

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Citation

Charles Babbage, Copy letter, from Charles Babbage to Lady Herschel [Mary Pitt Herschel], July 1821, HS/20/119a, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_20_119a/copy-letter-from-charles-babbage-to-lady-herschel-mary-pitt-herschel, accessed on 11 February 2026

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https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_20_119a/copy-letter-from-charles-babbage-to-lady-herschel-mary-pitt-herschel

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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