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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to Herbert Spencer, dated at Collingwood

Reference number: HS/23/298

Date: 17 March 1866

Description

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Will subscribe to Herbert Spencer's work as requested [see Herbert Spencer's 1860-3-5], but dissents 'from very large portions' of Herbert Spencer's views. Especially objects to Herbert Spencer's adoption of the 'Shibboleth of the Hegel & Schelling School of German Philosophy—the Absolute."' [This letter misdated; correct date: 1860-3-17.]"

Reference number
HS/23/298
Earliest possible date
17 March 1866
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 Herbert Spencer, dated at Collingwood, 17 March 1866, HS/23/298, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_23_298/copy-letter-from-sir-john-herschel-to-herbert-spencer-dated-at-collingwood, accessed on 15 January 2026

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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

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