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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to Mary Somerville

Reference number: HS/23/134

Date: 30 May 1853

Description

Copy of a letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. 1852 was eventful for the Herschels and John Frederick William Herschel. 1853 has started peacefully. John Frederick William Herschel does "nothing whatever of a scientific kind. And the world does not therefore stand still". Comments on the discussion around "turning tables" [in Spiritualism], finds it ridiculous.

Reference number
HS/23/134
Earliest possible date
30 May 1853
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 letter, from Sir John Herschel to Mary Somerville, 30 May 1853, HS/23/134, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_23_134/copy-letter-from-sir-john-herschel-to-mary-somerville, accessed on 25 March 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