Identity area
Reference code
Herschel/Box 1/Carrighan/Box 2/3-4/14
Unique identifier
Title
Date(s)
- 28 December 1827 (Creation)
Level of description
Item
Extent and medium
3p paper
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Astronomer; son of Sir William Herschel; senior wrangler and first Smith's prizeman, 1813; subsequently fellow of St John's College, Cambridge; MA 1816; helped to found Analytical Society, Cambridge, 1813; secretary to Royal Society 1824-7; president of Astronomical Society, 1827-32; created baronet, 1838; president of British Association, 1845; master of the Mint, 1850-5. Major contribution to astronomy through the discovery and cataloguing of many double stars, work on 'light' and early work on photographical process. Buried in Westminster Abbey.
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Declines offer of Plumian Chair of astronomy but is flattered by sentiments expressed. Herschel states that he is not sure whether he wants to concentrate solely on astronomy after he has completed his father's work on nebulae. He feels he is better as a private amateur than as a professor and also wishes to pursue other lines of work
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Held with Carrighan papers at Carrighan/Box 2/3-4/14