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Descriptive Summary

Repository: Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
Call No.: MS Eng 1415
Creator: Herschel, John F. W. (John Frederick William), Sir, 1792-1871.
Title: Papers,
Date(s): 1810-1917 (inclusive), 1830-1866 (bulk).
Quantity: 18v., 2 metal boxes (3 linear ft.)
Abstract: Notes, compositions, and correspondence of the British astronomer John Herschel focusing on double stars.

Acquisition Information:

Historical Note

John Herschel was a British astronomer and successor to his father, Sir William Herschel, in the field of stellar and nebular observation and discovery.

Scope and Content

Includes John Herschel's notes, autograph compositions, and correspondence with his father and others, including the 1860 correspondence with Robert Fitzroy. Materials focus especially on double stars and include 2 boxes of "forms of registry of the micrometic measures of double stars." Also includes transcripts of his materials (1917), compositions of others, and correspondence of William Herschel with others.

Container List

• (1) Herschel, Sir John Frederick William, bart., 1792-1871. Mathematical essays, etc. A.MS.s.; [Cambridge] 1812. 82f.(147p.) 1v.
  Contents include:

  • On a remarkable application of Cote's theorem. Laid before the Cambridge Analytical Society, May 1812. f.2.
  • Remarks on the theory of analytical developments presented to the Cambridge Analytical Society at their 1st meeting. f.11.
  • On certain general properties of rational and integral functions. A paper presented to the Analytical Society. f.22.
  • On the development of certain functions of frequent occurrence in the theory of finite differences. f.67

• (2) Herschel, Sir John Frederick William, bart., 1792-1871. [Notes on mathematics and mechanics] A.MS.(unsigned); [n.p., ca. 1810-1812] 341s.(682p.) 1v.

• (3) Herschel, Sir John Frederick William, bart., 1792-1871. [Notes on mathematics and mechanics, cont'd] A.MS.(unsigned); [n.p., ca. 1810-1812] 537s.(1244p.) 1v.
  Contains 2 A.L.s. from Sophia Baldwin to Sir John Herschel; Slough, 21 Aug [1812], 1s.(4p.) and London, 21 Oct 1812, 1s.(4p.)
  With the second is a letter from Sir William Herschel to Sir John Herschel.

• (4-7) Herschel, Sir John Frederick William, bart., 1792-1871. 4 A.MS. notebooks; Cambridge, 1810-1812. 4v.
  Contents:

  • (4) A.MS.s. notebook; Cambridge, 1810. 87f.(164p.) Notes on trigonometry and algebra.
  • (5) A.MS.s. notebook; Cambridge, 1810. 81f.(150p.) Notes on Greek and mathematics.
  • (6) A.MS.s. notebook; Slough, 4 Aug 1810- 10 Oct 1811. 116f.(229p.) 1v. Contains mathematical problems.
  • (7) A.MS.s. notebook; Slough, 1812. 50f.(82p.) 1v. Notes on the theory of exponential functions.

• (8) Herschel, Sir John Frederick William, bart., 1792-1871. On the absorption of light by coloured media viewed in connection with the undulatory theory. A.MS.s.; [Slough, 1833] 27f.(52p.)
  Includes A.MS. notes; 8f.(16p.)

• (9) Herschel, Sir John Frederick William, bart., 1792-1871. [The telescope] A.MS.(unsigned); [n.p., ca. 1859]. 55s.(102p.)
  Notes and correspondence concerning an article on telescopes for the 8th edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica.
  Includes the following letters to Sir John Herschel:

  • Black, Adam and Charles, publishers, Edinburgh. 4 MS.L.s.; 1859. Edinburgh, 26 Sep 1859. 1s.(1p.) same, 6 Oct 1859. 1s.(1p.) same, 10 Nov 1859. 1s.(1p.) same, 18 Nov 1859. 1s.(1p.) p.1-4.
  • Cooke, T., & sons, York. MS.L.; Buckingham Works, 29 Nov 1859. 1s.(2p.) p.5
  • Cooper, Edward Joshua, 1798-1863. A.L.s.; [London] 28 Nov 1859. 1s.(1p.) p.6.
  • Meyer, J. H. 2 letters; 1859. A.L.s.; Holborn, 28 Nov 1859. 2s.(8p.) Printed 1.; London, 1 Dec 1859. 1s.(3p.) p.7-9.
  • Dawes, William Rutter, 1799-1868. A.L.s.; Thame, 21 Nov 1859. 1s.(3p.) p.10.
  • De la Rue, Warren, 1815-1889. A.L.s.; Cranford, 30 Aug 1859. 2s.(8p.) p.11-12.
  • Fletcher, H. A. A.L.s.; Whitehaven, 26 Nov 1859. 1s.(3p.) p.13.
  • Grubb, Thomas, 1800-1878. 2 A.L.s.; 1859. Dublin, 1 Dec 1859. 1s.(4p.) same, 6 Dec 1859. 1s.(2p.) p.14-15.
  • Lassell, William, 1799-1880. A.L.s.; Bradstowe, 31 Aug 1859. 3s.(10p.) p.16-18.
  • Secretan, [ ] A.L.s.; Paris, 8 Dec 1859. 1s.(2p.) p.19.
  • Simms, H. A.L.(3rd person); [London] 24 Nov1859. 1s.(1p.) p.20.
  • Herschel, Sir John Frederick William, bart., 1792-1871. A.L.S.(extract) to William Lassell; [Collingwood, 23 Sep 1859] 1s.(2p.) p.21.

• f (10-13) Herschel, Sir John Frederick William, bart., 1792-1871. [Clock-book of the Slough Observatory and other papers] A.MS. and MS.; [v.p., v.d.] 1v.
  Contents:

  • (10) [Clock-book of the Slough Observatory] A.MS.(unsigned); [n.p.] 10 Jun-23 Sep 1860. 8f.(16p.)
  • (11) [Observations made with the 40 feet reflector, 1788-1793, by Sir William Herschel] MS.(copy made by J. Maclear); [n.p., 1917] 10f.(11p.)
  • (12) [Address to the Astronomical Society upon the presentation of 738 triangular charts of the visible stars] A.MS.(draft, unsigned); [n.p., ca.1850] 6s.(12p.) Includes the following letters to Sir John Herschel:
    • Harbord, John Bradley. A.L.s.(lacks beginning); [n.p., n.d.]. 1s.(1p.) p.2.
    • Hamilton, [ ] A.L.(3d person); [n.p.]. 15 Jun 1824. 1s.(1p.) p.3.
    • Henderson, Ebenezer, 1809-1879. A.L.s.; St. Helens, 20 May 1850. 1s.(1p.) p.6.
  • (13) [Miscellaneous astronomical notes] A.MS.; [n.p., n.d.]. 15s.(37p.) P.1 has a letter from A. Beals to Sir John Herschel; Moor, 15 Apr [n.d.]. 1s.(1p.)

• (14) Herschel, Sir John Frederick William, bart., 1792-1871. [On the circular and elliptic motions of the planets and satellites] A.MS.(unsigned); [n.p., n.d.]. 25s.(25p.)
  Part of a study for an article on "Physical Astronomy" for the Encyclopaedia metropolitan.
  With notes on mathematical problems in physics, 19s.(26p.)

• (15-21) Herschel, Sir John Frederick William, bart., 1792-1871. [Table of precession and other astronomical notes] A.MS.; [v.p., v.d.]. 1v.
  Contents:

  • (15) Table of precession for one year reckoned backward from the date of observation. MS.(unidentified hand); [n.p., n.d.]. 8f.(16p.)
  • (16) [Reductions of some 50 sweeps] A.MS.(unsigned); [n.p., ca.1825] 32s.(38p.)
  • (17) [Zones 87, 88, 89] A.MS.s.(initials); [n.p., 1830-1848] 3s.(6p.) Calculated by Sir John and Isabella H[erschel] and compared and corrected in 1847 and 1848. With notes made at the Cape of Good Hope, 1835-1836, in regard to correspondence with Adam Sedgwick, Giovanni Plana and Sir Henry Thomas De La Beche.
  • (18) [Zones 40°-60°: the year 1800 compared with 1830] A.MS. and MS.(unsigned); [n.p., 1830?]19s.(19p.) Initialed by Sir John, William James and Alexander Stewart Herschel.
  • (19) [Analysis of Dunlop's Catalogue of double stars] A.MS.(unsigned); [Cape of Good Hope, 1837] 12s.(13p.)
  • (20) Star notes. A.MS.(unsigned); [n.p., ca. 1828-1830] 4s.(5p.)
  • (21) [Notes on double stars] A.MS.(unsigned); [n.p., 1866] 17s.(23p.) Includes the following letters to Sir John Herschel:
    • Lee, J. A.L.s.(lacks beginning); [n.p., n.d.]. 1s.(1p.) f.8.
    • Harris, Thomas. A.L.s.; Highgate, 24 Aug 1866. 1s.(1p.) f.9.

• (22-23) Herschel, Sir John Frederick William, bart., 1792-1871. [Astronomical notes and measurements] A.MS.; [n.p., v.d.]. 1v.
  Contents:

  • (22) [A synopsis of all Sir William Herschel's micrometrical measurements...] A.MS.s.; [n.p., 1866] 9s.(16p.)
  • (23) [Astronomical observations, calculations on Sir William Herschel's double stars and other notes A.MS.; [v.p., v.d.]. 179s.(243p.) Contains the following letters to and by Sir John Herschel.
    • Humphrey, Thomas. A.L.s.; Hawkhurst National School, 6 May 1864. 1s.(1p.) f.148.
    • Hussey, Thomas John. A.L.s.; [n.p., n.d.]. 1s.(1p.) f.159.
    • Napier, William. A.L.s.; (lacks beginning); [n.p., n.d.]. 1s.(1p.) f.162.
    • Woollgar, J. H. A.L.s.; Lewes, 7 Nov 1846. 1s.(1p.) f.168.
    • Birbeck, William Lloyd. A.L.s.; Birmingham, 23 Feb 1866. 1s.(1p.) f.171.
    • Herschel, Sir John Frederick William, bart., 1792-1871. A.L.s. to E. Sheldon and co., Collingwood, 30 Dec 1865. 1s.(1p.) f.152.
    • Herschel, Sir John Frederick Williams bart., 1792-1871. MS.L.(3d person) to the Merchants Taylor Company; Collingwood, 21 May 1864. 1s.(1p.) f.155.

• (24) Herschel, Sir John Frederick William, bart., 1792-1871. [Astronomical notes] A.MS.(unsigned); [v.p., v.d.]. 304s.(584p.)
  Contains the following letters to Sir John Herschel:

  • Lewis, Richard, d.1893. A.L.s.; London, 22 Mar 1861. 1s.(1p.) f.98
  • Pope, Mary. A.L.s.; [London] 14 Mar 1844. 1s.(1p.) f.101.
  • Hume, M. A.L.s.; London, 16 May 1866. 1s.(1p.) f.135.
  • Johnston, George, 1797-1855. A.L.s.; London, [n.d.]. 1s.(1p.) f.136.
  • Lee, J. A.L.s.(lacks beginning); [n.p., n.d.]. 1s.(1p.) f.148.
  • Hume, M. A.L.s.; London, 24 May 1866. 1s.(1p.) f.161.
  • Birt, William Radcliffe. A.L.s.; London, 16 Jun 1866. 1s.(1p.) f.163.
  • Hunt, Robert, 1807-1887. A.L.s.(lacks beginning); [n.p., n.d.]. 1s.(1p.) f.166.
  • Humphrey, Thomas. A.L.s.; Hawkhurst National School, 18 Oct 1865. 1s.(1p.) f.198.
  • Hunt, Robert, 1807-1887. A.L.s.(lacks beginning); [n.p., n.d.]. 1s.(1p.) f.206.
  • Kilburne, Goodwin. A.L.s.; Hawkhurst, 20 Feb 1866. 1s.(1p.) f.207.
  • Jeffreys, H. 7 A.L.s.; [n.d.].
    • [n.p.], 5 Mar [n.d.]. 1s.(1p.)
    • [n.p., n.d.]. 1s.(1p.)
    • Lacks beginning.
    • [n.p., n.d.]. 1s.(1p.)
    • [n.p., n.d.]. 1s.(1p.)
    • [n.p., n.d.]. 1s.(1p.)
    • Lacks beginning.
    • [n.p., n.d.]. 1s.(1p.)
    • Lacks beginning.
    • [n.p.], 19 Feb [n.d.]. 1s.(1p.) f.167, 170, 174, 175, 176, 177, 179.
  • Jobert, [ ] A.L.s.; Leeds, 26 Jul 1863. 1s.(1p.) f.184.
  • Moore, Edward. A.L.s.(lacks beginning); [n.p., n.d.]. 1s.(1p.) f.190.
  • Knight, Charles, 1791-1873. A.L.s.(lacks beginning); [n.p., n.d.]. 1s.(1p.) f.194.
  • Keleher, William. A.L.s.(lacks beginning); [n.p., n.d.]. 1s.(1p.) f.195.

• (25) Herschel, Sir John Frederick William, bart., 1792-1871. Numerical tables. A.MS.(unsigned); [n.p., n.d.]. 21f.(37p.)

• F(26) Herschel, Sir John Frederick William, bart., 1792-1871. [Astronomical notes] A.MS. notebook; [v.p., 1825-1846] 173f.(342p.) 1v.
  Contents include:

  • A list of double stars for future observation; f.7.
  • Draft of a letter to an unidentified correspondent: [n.p., n.d.].; f.7v-8.
  • Draft of a letter to the Lord Mayor of London and the Committee for Rebuilding London Bridge; [n.p.], 3 Jun [n.d.]. f.8-9v., 11, 13.
  • Also notes on observations and drawings of scientific instruments.

• f (27-43) Herschel, Sir John Frederick William, bart., 1792-1871. [Scientific correspondence with Robert Fitzroy] 1v.
  Contents:

  • (27) Fitzroy, Robert, 1805-1865. 10 A.L.s. to Sir John Herschel; 1860. London, 23 Oct 1860. 1s.(4p.) Includes "Weather reports in the papers"; 8s.(8p.)
  • (28) same, 27 Oct1860. 5s.(20p.)
  • (29) [same], 29 Oct 1860. 1s.(4p.)
  • (30) Fitzroy, Robert, 1805-1865. 10 A.L.s. to Sir John Herschel; 1860. London, 30 Oct 1860. 2s.(8p.)
  • (31) [same], 2 Nov 1860. 3s.(7p.)
  • (32) [same], 7 Nov 1860. 1s.(4p.)
  • (33) [same], 8 Nov 1860. 1s.(4p.)
  • (34) [same], 14 Nov 1860. 1s.(4p.)
  • (35) [same], 24 Nov 1860. 2s.(8p.)
  • (36) [same], 29 Nov 1860. 2s.(7p.)
  • (37) Hausteln, [ ] The relative quantity of rain that fell in the two capitals of Christiana and Stockholm during the year 1860. MS.(by G.J.S.); [n.p., ca. 19 Mar 1861] 2s.(5p.) Sent to Sir John Herschel by Robert Fitzroy.
  • (38) Rainy, George. [Extract from weather table - 1860] MS.(unidentified hand); [n.p.]. 10 Apr 1861. 1s.(1p.) A table of rainfall in the Hebrides, sent to Sir John Herschel by Robert Fitzroy.
  • (39) Delamarche, A. MS.L.(copy) to Robert Fitzroy; [Paris, 16 Oct 1860] 1s.(3p.)
  • (40) Liddell, James. Observations on the moon in accordance with Sir John Herschel's suggestion, to show her effect on clearing the atmosphere when near her full. A.MS.; [n.p., 1866] 1s.(1p.)
  • (41) Martin, K. B. Tidal electric phenomena re Harbour Ramsgate. MS.(in an unidentified hand); [Ramsgate, Jul 1848]. 6s.(7p.) Includes a copy of a letter from Alexander Bridport Becher to K. B. Martin; [London, 22 Jun 1848].
  • (42) Fitzroy, Robert, 1805-1865. Memorandum respecting the moistened thermometer ...used in comparison with a dry one, as a hygrometer. Printed D.s.; [n.p.]. 19 Sep 1860. 1s.(3p.)
  • (43) [Miscellaneous notes] 2s.(2p.)

• f (44-66) Herschel, Sir John Frederick William, bart., 1792-1871. Meteoric observations, notes on meteorology, and correspondence] A.MS.; [v.p., v.d.]. 1v.
  Contents:

  • (44) On the laws which regulate the variations of atmospheric pressure at the Cape of Good Hope... A.MS.(unsigned); [n.p., ca. 1835] 17s.(41p.)
  • (45) [Notes on Meteorology] A.MS., MS., and printed material; [v.p., v.d.]. 203s.(380p.)
  • (46) Howlett, Samuel Burt, 1794-1874. Barometer that requires no corrections either for zero or for temperature. A.MS.s.; [London] 23 Feb 1839. 1s.(1p.)
  • (47) Birt, William Radcliffe. A.L.s. to Sir John Herschel; Cambridge House Observatory; London, 31 May 1845. 1s.(4p.)
  • (48) Butterworth and Heath, firm, London. MS.L. to Sir John Herschel; London, 27 Dec 1874. 1s.(2p.)
  • (49) Gye, James. A.L.s. to Sir John Herschel; London, 2 Sep 1833. 1s.(2p.)
  • (50) Hindle, Thomas. A.L.s. to Sir John Herschel; Tarleton, 16 Oct 1855. 1s.(3p.)
  • (51) Humphrey, Thomas. A.L.s. to Sir John Herschel; Hawkhurst National School, 29 Mar 1865. 1s.(2p.)
  • (52) Lewin, Thomas; 1805-1877. A.L.s. to Sir John Herschel; [n.p.]. 20 Apr 1850. 1s.(2p.)
  • (53) Lowe, Arthur S. H. A.L.s. to Sir John Herschel; Highfield House, 17 June 1857. 1s.(3p.)
  • (54) Lowe, E. J. A.L.s. to Sir John Herschel; [Highfield House, 1857] 1s.(2p.) With records of meteorological observations made at the Highfield House Observatory; 6s.(7p.)
  • (55) MacKereth, Thomas. A.L.s. to Sir John Herschel; Eccles, 1 Mar 1865. 1s.(4p.)
  • (56) Martin, K. B. A.L.s. to Sir John Herschel; Harbour office Ramsgate, 25 Jun 1857. 1s.(2p.)
  • (57) Mathews, William, 1828-1901. A.L.s. to Sir John Herschel; Egbaston, 28 Jul 1865. 1s.(3p.)
  • (58) Simon, Thomas Collins. A.L.s.(lacks beginning) to Sir John Herschel; [n.p.]. 15 Mar [n.y.] 1s.(2p.)
  • (59) Stark, James, 1814-1883. A.L.s. to Sir John Herschel; Edinburgh, 29 Oct 1860. 2s.(6p.)
  • (60) Sykes, William Henry, 1790-1872. A.L.s. to Sir John Herschel; India House, 4 May 1852. 1s.(3p.)
  • (61) White, Walter, 1811-1893. A.L.s. to Sir John Herschel; London, 19 Dec 1864. 1s.(2p.)
  • (62) Herschel, Sir John Frederick William, bart., 1792-1871. 2 A.L.s. to William Mathews; 1865. Collingwood, 21 May 1865. 1s.(4p.)
  • (63) same, 25 May1865. 1s.(4p.)
  • (64) Herschel, Sir John Frederick William, bart., 1792-1871. A.L.(draft, unsigned) to [ ]; [Slough, 18 Sep 1833] 1s.(2p.) Notice of an Aurora Borealis observed at Slough.
  • (65) Turner, H. A.L.s. to [ ] Hamilton; [n.p.]. 15 Mar 1841. 4s.(4p.) Enclosing lists of appearances of the sun at Bermuda.
  • (66) Whewell, William, 1794-1866, recipient. MS.L. from an unidentified correspondent; Edinburgh, 1 Jan 1855. Lacks ending.

• (67) Herschel, Sir John Frederick William, bart., 1792-1871. [On atoms: dialogue of Hermogenes and Hermione] A.MS.; Collingwood, 15 Aug 1860. 4s.(5p.) 1v.
  An exposition of atomic theory.

• f (68) Herschel, Sir John Frederick William, bart., 1792-1871. [Outlines of astronomy: additions to the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th editions] A.MS.(unsigned); [v.p., v.d.]. 127s.(211p.)
  Contains the following letters to Sir John Herschel:

  • Jeffreys, H. A.L.s.; [n.p.]. 26 Mar 1858. 1s.(1p.) f.10.
  • Williams, William. A.L.s.; Goudhurst, 12 Mar 1860. 1s.(1p.) f.11.
  • Jeffreys, H.
    • 2 A.L.s.; [n.d.]
    • [n.p., n.d.]. 1s.(1p.)
    • [n.p., n.d.]. 1s.(1p.)
    • Lacks beginning.
    • f.12-13.
  • Rufenacht, Elise. A.L.s.(lacks beginning); [n.p., n.d.]. 1s.(1p.) f.17.
  • Roget, Peter Mark, 1779-1869. A.L.s.; London, 29 Jan 1845. 1s.(1p.) f.19.
  • Jeffreys, H. A.L.s.; [n.p.]. 18 Jan1858. 1s.(1p.) f.20.
  • Longmans, firm, co., publishers. MS.L.(lacks ending); London, 12 Oct 1863. 1s.(1p.) f.23.
  • Streatfield, John Fremlin. A.L.s.; [London] 20 Feb 1860. 1s.(1p.) f.24.
  • Simon, Thomas Collins. A.L.s.(lacks beginning); [n.p.] 2 May 1861. 1s.(1p.) f.26.
  • Stevens, Henry. A.L.s.; London, 13 Aug1889. 1s.(1p.) f.28.
  • Sedgwick, Adam, 1785-1873. A.L.s.(lacks beginning); [n.p., n.d.]. 1s.(1p.) f.29.
  • Shaw, Norton. 3 A.L.s. and MS.; 1860-1861. A.L.s.; [n.p., 31 Oct1860]. 1s.(1p.) A.L.s.; [n.p.]. 12 Jul1860. 1s.(1p.) MS.L.; [n.p.]. 6 Feb 1861. 1s.(1p.) f.30, 31, 34.
  • Lee, J. 2 A.L.s.(lack beginning); [n.d.]. [n.p., n.d.]. 1s.(1p.) [n.p., n.d.]. 1s.(1p.) f.36-37.
  • Greig, Agnes. A.L.s.(lacks beginning); [n.p., n.d.]. 1s.(1p.) f.38.
  • Hirley, William. A.L.s.(lacks beginning); [n.p., n.d.]. 1s.(1p.) f.41.
  • Henning, Alex. A.L.s.(lacks beginning); [n.p., n.d.]. 1s.(1p.) f.48.
  • Lee, J. A.L.s.(lacks beginning); [n.p., n.d.]. 1s.(1p.) f.50.
  • Rawson, David P. A.L.s.; Liverpool, 22 Feb 1858. 1s.(1p.) f.51.
  • Roper, J. W. A.L.s.; Court Lodge, 3 Aug 1860. 1s.(1p.) f.120.

• (69) Herschel, Sir John Frederick William, bart., 1792-1871. Outlines of astronomy [10th edition] Page proofs with new text pasted in & AMS notes; [n.p., 1869] 112s.(117p.) 1v.

• (70) Herschel, Sir John Frederick William, bart., 1792-1871. [Forms of registry of the micrometic measures of double stars] Printed forms with A.MS. notes; [v.p.]. 1813-1850. 1787s.(2103p.) 2 boxes.

• (71) Herschel, Sir John Frederick William, bart., 1792-1871. 2 A.MS. notebooks; [v.p.]. 3 Sep 1813- 8 Mar 1850. 496f.(964p.) 2v.