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Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to William Henry Fitton, dated at Collingwood

Reference number: HS/25/7/5

Date: 20 February 1847

Description

Contemporary copy in sender's hand, signed by sender. Expresses opinions about the medal fiasco at the Royal Astronomical Society, and in so doing, also defends G. B. Airy. John Frederick William Herschel is very concerned about the mean attacks being made on various people over the Neptune discovery controversy. Makes especially strong statements in a PS written on Feb. 21.

Reference number
HS/25/7/5
Earliest possible date
20 February 1847
Page extent
3 pages
Format
Manuscript

Creator names

John Frederick William Herschel

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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 William Henry Fitton, dated at Collingwood, 20 February 1847, HS/25/7/5, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_25_7_5/copy-letter-from-sir-john-herschel-to-william-henry-fitton-dated-at-collingwood, accessed on 07 November 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