Manuscripts: Pogson - Williams

POGSON Variable star observations of Norman Robert Pogson (1829–91).

See Mem., lviii. The references in brackets are to the list of Pogson’s MSS at ibid., pp. xi–xii.

1. Astronomical notebook. Observations and notes, mostly on variable stars. (‘The Ledger’.)

2. Variable star observations, 3 notebooks:

2.1. 1859–61. On printed forms headed ‘Hartwell Variable Star Observations’.

2.2. 1861–75. On printed forms headed ‘Madras Variable Star Observations’.

2.3. 1875–81, 1884, 1891. Ditto.

(‘Three Day-books’.)

3. Variable star charts: 100, 29 were printed. (‘A large number of Charts’.)

4. ‘Comparison Stars for Variables’, 3 notebooks. (‘Three Notebooks’.)

5. Loose pages of variable star observations, mostly on printed forms. (‘Sundry forms’.)

RANYARD Letters and papers of Arthur Cowper Ranyard (1845–94).

1. 331 letters from T. W. Webb to Ranyard (including a few from Mrs Webb), 1858–85.

2. Ten letters from G. E. Hale to Ranyard, March 1892, March–Dec. 1894.

3. A group of letters and photographs from Lick Observatory. Includes letters from E. E. Barnard (4, 1890), W. S. Burnham, E. S. Holden; and 2 related letters from H. C. Russell.

4. A bound volume of letters to Ranyard, and copies of letters from him, concerning the memorial to Jeremiah Horrocks, erected in Westminster Abbey in 1875. Correspondents include: R. Grant, W. Lassell, J. L. (Lord) Lindsay, H. J. S. Smith, G. Patmore.

5. Four bound volumes of reports on solar eclipses, collected in preparation for the eclipse volume of 1879, Mem., xli. See the index at ibid., pp. 742–57, for a fuller account of the contents of these volumes.

5.1. Total solar eclipse, 18 Aug. 1868. Reports of Fathers F. Fauro, S. Noneil, J. Ricart, and officers of H.M.S. Serpent on Mantawalu Kiki.

5.2. Total solar eclipse, 22 Dec. 1870, observers A–H. Observers include R. Abbatt, W. G. Adams, A. Brothers, C. E. Burton, C. Carpmael, W. K. Clifford, G. H. Darwin, J. E. H. Gordon, W. Huggins.

5.3. The same, observers L–Z. Observers include J. L. (Lord) Lindsay, W. Noble, F. C. Penrose, S. J. Perry, A C. Ranyard, H. E. Roscoe, G. M. Seabroke, O. Silvestri, H. Toynbee, C. A. Young.

5.4. Total solar eclipse, 11 Dec. 1871. Includes reports by L. Respighi, G. L. Tupman.

6. A bound volume of letters to Ranyard concerning the eclipse volume, Mem., xli. Correspondents include:

R. S. Ball, W. F. Denning, H. Draper, D. Gill, W. Harkness, E. B. Knobel, S. P. Langley, S. J. Perry, E. C. Pickering, A. C. W. Schur, C. A. Young

7. An additional volume of miscellaneous eclipse reports: ‘Documents Referring to Total Solar Eclipses’, MS and printed. Includes letters from W. Huggins, N. R. Pogson, C. A. Schott, P. Tacchini, G. L. Tupman.

8. Loose papers relating to solar eclipses. From a single bundle, containing letters from A. Marth, F. C. Penrose, W. H. Pickering, W. H. Wesley, C. A. Young.

9. A small folder marked ‘Jupiter’, containing:

9.1. A series of 63 collected observations of Jupiter, 1791–1871, including 61 copies of drawings.

9.2. Three drawings of Jupiter made by J. Carpenter at Greenwich, Feb.–March 1861.

9.3. Letters to Ranyard containing observations of Saturn, from R. Copeland, W. F. Denning, B. J. Hopkins, G. Hunt, Nov. 1883 – Jan. 1884.

10. Miscellaneous loose papers. Includes letters from W. H. M. Christie, G. Knott, A. Marth.

REYNOLDS Letters and papers of John Henry Reynolds (1874–1949).

1. Correspondence. Letters to Reynolds and copies of letters from him, arranged alphabetically by correspondents. There are 320 letters in all, and correspondents include:

G. Bigourdan, 1 letter, 1921; W. W. Campbell, 1, 1920; J. A. Carroll, 2, 1930; A. C. D. Crommelin, 1, 1930; C. R. Davidson, 2, 1929, 1936; H. Dingle, 4, 1930*; J. L. E. Dreyer, 1, 1924; W. G. Duffield, 12, 1923–28, 1 telegram*; F. W. Dyson, 9, 1920–35*; A. S. Eddington, 2, 1922, 1930*; A. Fowler, 2, 1922, 1935*; E. Hertzsprung, 1, 1923; A. R. Hinks, 1, 1923; E. P. Hubble, 5, 1924–29, 2 n.ds*; R. T. A. Innes, 3, 1916–23; J. H. Jeans, 6, 1924–30, 2 n.ds; M. C. Johnson, 1, 1935; H. S. Jones, 1, 1936*; E. B. Knobel, 1, 1929; H. Knox-Shaw, 27, 1921–35, 2 n.ds*; F. A. Lindemann, 3, 1923–24; K. Lundmark, 1, 1930; E. A. Milne, 1, 1935; G. W. Mullins, 3, 1927–35*; H. F. Newall, 1, 1923; T. E. R. Phillips, 2, n.ds*; H. H. Plaskett, 1, 1931*; R. O. Redman, 3, 1931–36*; C. E. St John, 6, 1917–28; C.A. W. Schalén*; A. Schuster, 1, 1925; H. Shapley, 1, 1935; V. M. Slipher, 1, 1922; W. N. Shaw, 4, 1926–28; G. C. Simpson, 3, 1928–35*; W. M. Smart, 6, 1933–36* (with 1 H. D. Curtis to Smart and reply); F. J. M. Stratton, 23, 1912–36*; P. Stroobant, 2, 1935; H. H. Turner, 2, 1929*; W. H.Wright, 1, 1929.

* Indicates the existence of letters from Reynolds.

2. Papers by Reynolds:

‘Preliminary Observations of Spiral Nebulae in Polarised Light’, MS, see MN, lxxii, 553–55.

‘The Light-Source of the Andromeda Nebula (N.G.C. 224)’, MS.

‘A Suggested Scale of Magnitudes for Nebulae’, MS.

‘Photographs of Jupiter in November and December 1917’ and ‘Note on the Comparative Photographic Efficiency of the Belts and Zones’, typescript, Journal of the British Astronomical Association, xxviii, 130–32.

‘Silvering Glass Surfaces’, typescript.

Description of the 30-inch reflector for the Canberra Observatory, in 2 parts, typescript.

3. Three typescript papers (1 by J. H. Jeans, 1 by E. P. Hubble).

4. Various papers concerning nebulae: I.A.U. committee.

5. Other papers on nebulae.

6. Tables of galactic coordinates.

7. Papers relating to the RAS.

8. Papers relating to the IAU (other than 4).

9. Reports on the use of the Reynolds Reflector at Helwan, signed by H. Knox-Shaw, C. C. L. Gregory and M. R. Madwar, 1920–22, 1927–28.

10. Loose miscellaneous papers.

11. Photographs.

ROBERTSON Observations of Abraham Robertson (1751–1826).

1. Transits, 1811–13.

2. Zenith distances, 1811–13.

3. Observations with the transit instrument, 1813–29.

4. Observations with the transit instrument, 1830–40.

5. Observations with the mural quadrants, 1813–29.

6. Observations with the mural quadrants, 1830–39.

7. Observations with the zenith sector, 1813–38, and Observations with the meridian circle, 1838–39.

The description of Robertson’s observations is taken from a list at Burlington House. The MSS have not been examined; they are currently on loan to the Royal Greenwich Observatory.

SADLER Observations of Herbert Sadler (1856–98).

1. Three vols of MS observations:

1.1. Nebular, Stellar, and Cometary Observations, 1874–76.

1.2. Ditto, 1876–80.

1.3. Solar, Lunar, and Planetary Observations, 1874–80.

2. Two vols of notes and observations on the stars in W. H. Smyth, A cycle of celestial objects, vol. 2, The

Bedford catalogue (London, 1844). See MN, xxxix, 183–95.

3. A scrapbook of ‘Lunar Drawings’, 2 vols.

SCHUSTER Papers and photographs of Sir Arthur Schuster (1851–1934).

1. MS diary of the Siam expedition to observe the total solar eclipse of 1875 (with an incomplete typescript).

2. MS account of the Siam expedition.

3. A different, typescript account of the Siam expedition.

4. Miscellaneous MSS relating to the Siam expedition, including a letter from G. G. Stokes, 1875.

5. Seventeen photographs of the Siam expedition.

6. Printed instructions to observers of the 1875 eclipse, 2 copies.

7. Photograph of the party of observers on the eclipse expedition to Egypt, 1882.

8. Miscellaneous printed material.

SCHWABE Sunspot observations of Samuel Heinrich Schwabe (1789–1875).

See MN, xxxvi, 297–99; xli, 180.

Sunspot observations, 39 vols:

1. 1825 11. 1836–38 21. 1849 31. 1859
2. 1826 12. 1839–40 22. 1850 32. 1860
3. 1827 13. 1841 23. 1851 33. 1861
4. 1828–29 14. 1842 24. 1852 34. 1862
5. 1830 15. 1843 25. 1853 35. 1863
6. 1831 16. 1844 26. 1854 36. 1864
7. 1832 17. 1845 27. 1855 37. 1865
8. 1833 18. 1846 28. 1856 38. 1866
9. 1834 19. 1847 29. 1857 39. 1867
10. 1835 20. 1848 30. 1858

SHEEPSHANKS Correspondence of Richard Sheepshanks (1794–1855).

1. Correspondence. Letters to Sheepshanks, arranged alphabetically by correspondents, who include:

J. C. Adams, 31 letters, 1846–53; G. B. Airy, 214, 1836–59; C. Babbage, 1, 1854; G. Bishop, 1, 1845; W. W. Boreham, 1, 1847; T. M. Brisbane, 1, 1841; R. C. Carrington, 5, 1851–52; R. A. Cauchoix, 1, 1831; J. Challis, 17, 1847–52; T. Chevallier, 6, 1845–51; E. J. Cooper, 2, 1844, 1846; W. R. Dawes, 30, 1836–52; W. De La Rue, 2, 1852; S. M. Drach, 1, 1846; W. Ellis, 1, 1852; A. Graham, 1, 1847; J. Hartnup, 32, 1845–9; J. M. Heath, 3, ?1846; T. Henderson, 4, 1839–41; J. F. W. Herschel, 2, 1848, 1 n.d.; J. R. Hind, 24, 1845–52; M. J. Johnson, 24, 1839–54; J. Lamont, 1, 1844; W. Lassell, 13, 1843–52; J. Lee, 31, 1841–52*; E. J. Lowe, 1, 1852; T. Maclear, 4, 1847; R. Main, 6, 1840–52; W. A. Miller, 3, 1851–52; W. Read, 1, 1852; E. Riddle, 1, 1849; E. Sabine, 1, 1852; C. Schumacher, 1, 1852; H. C. Schumacher, 33, 1830–50**; J. Schumacher, 8, 1851–54; Mrs A. Smyth, 1, ?1847; C. P. Smyth, 12, 1846–52; W. H. Smyth, 24, 1845–54; W. Swan, 2, 1851; H. F. Talbot, 2, 1851, 1852; A. Weld, 3, 1849–51; W. Whewell, 1, 1842; R. Wilcox, 3, 1835–46.

* These include 4 letters addressed to J. Williams.

** There are also 28 letters from Sheepshanks to Schumacher, 1830–50.

2. Some miscellaneous papers. Includes copies of letters from T. G. Taylor, A. Weld, and an obituary of H. C. Schumacher by F. G. W. Struve.

SIDMOUTH Hill Observatory and Norman Lockyer Observatory.

This collection goes past the 1940 cut-off date chosen for this catalogue and so is not included here.

SOUTH Observations and papers of Sir James South (1785–1867).

1. Observations of double stars, 12 vols, 1821–25. Most of the observations were written on slips of paper and have been pasted in; they include observations by J. F. W. Herschel.

2. A bound volume containing a few observations of double stars, March 1821; results of experiments to determine the difference in longitude between the Greenwich and Campden Hill Observatories involving observations of rockets fired at Vauxhall, 1831; notes on regulation of observatory clocks.

3. Correspondence between Sir James South and Messrs Troughton & Simms, 1832–1833, privately printed, [1834]. South’s own copy, with autograph notes and annotations.

STEAVENSON Observations, papers and correspondence of William Herbert Steavenson (1894–1975).

This collection is not included as it goes past the 1940 cut-off date chosen for this catalogue. However, a list of contents prepared by Dr D. W. Dewhirst is kept with the collection.

WILLIAMS Observations, papers and correspondence of Arthur Stanley Williams (1861–1938).

1. Letters to Williams and copies of letters from him, arranged alphabetically by correspondents. Includes letters from:

J. van der Bilt, 1 letter, 1913; W. K. Ceraskij, 1, 1902; A. L. Cortie, 1, 1901; W. F. Denning, 12, 1891–1929*; A. Freeman, 13, 1891–93; F. J. Hargreaves, 7, 1920–30*; A. Marth, 2, 1892–93; E. W. Maunder, 2, 1891; C. H. G. Müller, 1, 1906; B. M. Peek, 9, 1929–38; T. E. R. Phillips, 38, ?1928–?38*; W. H. Pickering, 4, 1904–05; F. J. C. Terby, 1, 1892; M. Wolf, 1, n.d.

* Indicates the existence of letters from Williams.

There are also copies of letters from Denning to Phillips and from Peek to Phillips.

2. Letter books: copies of letters from Williams, 6 vols.

3. Observation journals, 51 vols, 1877–1938.

4. Loose papers on variable stars, in 62 folders.

5. Loose papers on Jupiter, in 35 folders. 1–19 were scattered loose papers and have generally been arranged chronologically; 20–35 are also arranged chronologically, but the arrangement is by Williams himself. 20–35 include letters from:

E. M. Antoniadi, 9 letters, 1893–1911; L. Brenner, 3, 1897–98; J. Comas Sola, 4, 1902*; G. T. Davis, 22, 1888–98; W. F. Denning, 62, 1888–1906; A. Freeman, 7, 1890–92; J. Gledhill, 2, 1898; E. S. Holden 6, 1890–91; J. E. Keeler, 4, 1890–91; A. Marth, 2, 1888*; T. E. R. Phillips, 38, 1897–1913*; F. J. C. Terby, 5, 1889–91*.

* Indicates the existence of letters from Williams.

6. Loose papers on Saturn, in 6 folders.

7. Miscellaneous notebooks, 8 vols.

8. Miscellaneous loose papers, including a paper by W. F. Denning.