Identity area
Reference code
Herschel/Box 1/Letter 1
Unique identifier
GB 275 Herschel/Box 1/Letter 1
Title
Autograph letter, signed, from Herschel to Rev. John William Whittaker (BA 1814), from Dawlish, Devon
Date(s)
- August 1812 (Creation)
Level of description
Item
Extent and medium
3p 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
Is sorry to have left Cambridge. Tells of drinking habits and other activities. Gives humorous advise to Whittaker to study hard