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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to James David Forbes, dated at Collingwood

Reference number: HS/22/62

Date: 10 August 1840

Description

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Explains efforts at using a makeshift apparatus for 'fixing the spectrum.' Discusses current confusion and ultimate hope surrounding James Forbes's meteorological recommendations. In a postscript, notes observations of meteors in Persei.

Reference number
HS/22/62
Earliest possible date
10 August 1840
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 James David Forbes, dated at Collingwood, 10 August 1840, HS/22/62, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_22_62/copy-letter-from-sir-john-herschel-to-james-david-forbes-dated-at-collingwood, accessed on 25 March 2025

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https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_22_62/copy-letter-from-sir-john-herschel-to-james-david-forbes-dated-at-collingwood

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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