Identity area
Reference code
Herschel/Box 1/Letter 18
Unique identifier
GB 275 Herschel/Box 1/Letter 18
Title
Autograph letter, signed, from Herschel to [James Wood, Master 1815-39] the very Rev., the Dean of Ely
Date(s)
- March 1821 (Creation)
Level of description
Item
Extent and medium
2p. paper
Context area
Name of creator
(1792-1871)
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
Discusses the reprinting of Piazzi's catalogue of stars and whether the University Press will bear part of the expense