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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to Mary Somerville

Reference number: HS/24/251

Date: 14 March 1869

Description

Copy of letter, copied as part of the correspondence project led by Colonel John Herschel FRS following the death of his father. Commentary on manuscript [Personal Recollections?] that [Mary Somerville] sent to John Frederick William Herschel one month ago. Career of scientific learning and domestic happiness will inspire future generations. Suggests publishing it posthumously for greater impact. Corrects passages about Charles Babbage. Gives purpose, history, and membership of each of two Standards committees, one of 1819 and one of 1838. Suggests avoiding topic of bitter controversy over invention of electric telegraph.

Reference number
HS/24/251
Earliest possible date
14 March 1869
Page extent
6 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, 14 March 1869, HS/24/251, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_24_251/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