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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Copy letter, from Sir John Herschel to Earl of Minto, dated at Slough

Reference number: HS/7/36a

Date: 5 November 1838

Description

Autograph letter signed by sender. Would like Earl Minto's notice on the proposed aid to the Cape Observatory, of a permanent assistant for that establishement and supply of instruments. Remarks on the importance of the Cape Observatory to 'southern astronomy' and eloquently pleads the case for government support of research in the physical sciences. Discusses the expenditure on science.

Reference number
HS/7/36a
Earliest possible date
5 November 1838
Page extent
4 pages
Format
Manuscript

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 Earl of Minto, dated at Slough, 5 November 1838, HS/7/36a, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_7_36a/copy-letter-from-sir-john-herschel-to-earl-of-minto-dated-at-slough, accessed on 15 November 2025

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https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/hs_7_36a/copy-letter-from-sir-john-herschel-to-earl-of-minto-dated-at-slough

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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