Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to Henry Venn[?], dated at Collingwood
Reference number: HS/23/33
Date: 2 August 1848
Description
Copy of a letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Responds to a letter received long ago concerning sounds. Is convinced that a 'new printed and written character' is needed. Suggests consulting Pitman's phonotype system. Believes joint use of Roman, italic, and Greek characters would create a more complete system. Stresses that he is willing to correspond, but is unable to meet in person.
Lists difficulties with the [Isaac] Pitman phonetic system for writing Oriental languages in the Roman alphabet. Problems include inaccurate vowel usage. Suggests a revised system.
- Reference number
- HS/23/33
- Earliest possible date
- 2 August 1848
- Page extent
- 5 pages
- Format
- Manuscript
- Also available on Epsilon
- View
Creator names
John Frederick William Herschel
View page for John Frederick William Herschel
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 Henry Venn[?], dated at Collingwood, 2 August 1848, HS/23/33, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_23_33/copy-letter-from-sir-john-herschel-to-henry-venn-dated-at-collingwood, accessed on 11 November 2025
Link to this record
https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_23_33/copy-letter-from-sir-john-herschel-to-henry-venn-dated-at-collingwood
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Hierarchy
This item is part of:
-
Correspondence of Sir John Frederick William Herschel
1812-1870 Creator: John Frederick William Herschel , Sir; John Frederick William Herschel Reference number: HS -
Correspondence of John Frederick William Herschel: volume 23 Copies of outgoing letters
1873-1875 Reference number: HS/23
Related Fellows
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John Frederick William Herschel
Creator
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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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