26 January 1836

Addressed to William Harvey, Stellenberg. Manuscript letter, written and signed by Sir John Frederick William Herschel 1st Baronet KH FRS (7 March 1792 – 11 May 1871).

Herschel was an English polymath active as a mathematician, astronomer, chemist, inventor and experimental photographer who invented the blueprint and did botanical work.

Herschel originated the use of the Julian day system in astronomy. He named seven moons of Saturn and four moons of Uranus – the seventh planet, discovered by his father Sir William Herschel. He made many contributions to the science of photography, and investigated colour blindness and the chemical power of ultraviolet rays. His Preliminary Discourse (1831), which advocated an inductive approach to scientific experiment and theory-building, was an important contribution to the philosophy of science.

R10,000