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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to Alexander von Humboldt, dated at Altona

Reference number: HS/21/255

Date: 31 July 1838

Description

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Regrets he was unable to meet him when in Hanover. Took no part in Guillaume Weber's operations at the Cape, but has become acquainted with them through Weber's volumes. Has pressed the Admiralty on the necessity of Magnetic Observatories at various places. Regarding Alexander von Humboldt's observations on the barometer.

Reference number
HS/21/255
Earliest possible date
31 July 1838
Page extent
3 pages
Format
Manuscript
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Creator name

John Frederick William Herschel

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Citation

John Frederick William Herschel, Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to Alexander von Humboldt, dated at Altona, 31 July 1838, HS/21/255, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_21_255/copy-letter-from-sir-john-herschel-to-alexander-von-humboldt-dated-at-altona, accessed on 11 July 2026

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https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_21_255/copy-letter-from-sir-john-herschel-to-alexander-von-humboldt-dated-at-altona

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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