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Copy of a letter from John Frederick William Herschel, Collingwood to [Richard] Owen

Reference number: MS/257/2/286

Date: 22 December 1858

Description

Herschel is returning a note from the Astronomer Royal [George Biddell Airy] after ‘communicating’ the contents to the President of The Royal Society and Airy’s consideration of the establishment. Refers to [Edward] Sabine’s ill health and the ‘absence of his superintending direction’. Herschel agrees with Airy that without Sabine he does not see ‘any efficient arrangement’. Refers to Toronto, the Russian observatories, Pekin, Newfoundland, and other stations.

Reference number
MS/257/2/286
Earliest possible date
22 December 1858
Physical description
Ink on paper
Page extent
3 pages
Format
Manuscript

Creator name

John Frederick William Herschel

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Citation

John Frederick William Herschel, Copy of a letter from John Frederick William Herschel, Collingwood to [Richard] Owen, 22 December 1858, MS/257/2/286, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/ms_257_2_286/copy-of-a-letter-from-john-frederick-william-herschel-collingwood-to-richard-owen, accessed on 20 May 2026

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  • Manuscripts General

    Science in the Making presents selected items from the 'Manuscripts General' series, notably astronomical observations, investigations of discrete topics, and indices and registers of papers read before the Royal Society.

    Dates: 1551 - 1951

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