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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Copy of draft letter, from Sir John Herschel to William Whewell

Reference number: HS/20/167

Date: 1823-10-15 or later

Description

Copy of draft letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Comments favorably on a method developed by William Whewell for designating the faces of crystals. Presents a method John Frederick William Herschel had worked out previously, but writes on the letter: 'Not sent—On rereading his letter I find it is his idea—strange!'

Reference number
HS/20/167
Earliest possible date
1823-10-15 or later
Page extent
4 pages
Format
Manuscript
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Creator name

John Frederick William Herschel

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Citation

John Frederick William Herschel, Copy of draft letter, from Sir John Herschel to William Whewell, 1823-10-15 or later, HS/20/167, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_20_167/copy-of-draft-letter-from-sir-john-herschel-to-william-whewell, accessed on 09 February 2026

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https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_20_167/copy-of-draft-letter-from-sir-john-herschel-to-william-whewell

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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