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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to William Henry Fox Talbot, dated at Slough

Reference number: HS/22/11

Date: 22 April 1839

Description

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Comments on several approaches to fixing images on paper, especially using pure water as a fixing agent. Has developed a new sensitive paper but is keeping it secret until perfected. Is leaving for Continent on 1 May.

Reference number
HS/22/11
Earliest possible date
22 April 1839
Page extent
2 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 William Henry Fox Talbot, dated at Slough, 22 April 1839, HS/22/11, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_22_11/copy-letter-from-sir-john-herschel-to-william-henry-fox-talbot-dated-at-slough, accessed on 24 March 2025

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https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_22_11/copy-letter-from-sir-john-herschel-to-william-henry-fox-talbot-dated-at-slough

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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