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Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to Gilbert Elliot, Second Earl of Minto, dated at Slough

Reference number: HS/21/268

Date: 5 November 1838

Description

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Is prepared to see Gilbert Elliot, Second Earl of Minto anytime about resolutions [see John Frederick William Herschel's 1838-10-20]. Outlines the requirements of the Cape Observatory for more efficient service. Eloquently pleads the case for government support of research in the physical sciences.

Reference number
HS/21/268
Earliest possible date
5 November 1838
Page extent
6 pages
Format
Manuscript

Creator names

John Frederick William Herschel

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Sir; John Frederick William Herschel

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Citation

John Frederick William Herschel, Sir; John Frederick William Herschel, Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to Gilbert Elliot, Second Earl of Minto, dated at Slough, 5 November 1838, HS/21/268, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_21_268/copy-letter-from-sir-john-herschel-to-gilbert-elliot-second-earl-of-minto-dated-at-slough, accessed on 12 November 2025

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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