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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Letter, from William Henry Fitton to Sir John Herschel, dated at Geological Society

Reference number: HS/7/234

Date: 19 December 1836

Description

Autograph letter signed by sender. Regrets the time that has elapsed since receiving John Frederick William Herschel's letter. Charles Babbage does not contemplate finishing his machine and is already planning another. Richard Jones appointed one of the Tithe Commissioners. News of the activities of Robert Brown, Francis Baily, Charles Lyell, William Buckland, J. W. Lubbock, and others. Railroads expanding in England. Many built and projected.

Reference number
HS/7/234
Earliest possible date
19 December 1836
Page extent
8 pages
Format
Manuscript
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Creator name

William Henry Fitton

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Citation

William Henry Fitton, Letter, from William Henry Fitton to Sir John Herschel, dated at Geological Society, 19 December 1836, HS/7/234, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_7_234/letter-from-william-henry-fitton-to-sir-john-herschel-dated-at-geological-society, accessed on 25 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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