3-34-2. Norman Lockyer to H. Poincaré

Feb 12 [1892]

South Kensington — Science and Art Department11endnote: 1 The Science and Art Department of the British government was a sub-division of the Education Department, with oversight of the Royal College of Science, where Lockyer was professor of astronomical physics and director of the solar physics laboratory. In 1907, the Royal College of Science became part of the Imperial College of Science and Technology (Gay 2007, 35).

Dear Professor Poincaré,

I have not had an opportunity of inquiring lately after Sylvester’s health.22endnote: 2 Lockyer had recently written Poincaré that J.J. Sylvester was ill (§ 3-34-1), apparently in response to a query from Poincaré. It seems that Poincaré then asked Lockyer for details of Sylvester’s condition. The last time I saw him he looked very ill & told me he was arranging a consultation as he was convinced there was something very wrong.

When I hear again I will let you know.

I shall be delighted to print your letter.33endnote: 3 See Poincaré (1892), published 03.03.1892, and annotated in § 2-55-1). Poincaré reacted to Peter Guthrie Tait’s critical review of his Sorbonne lectures on thermodynamics (Tait 1892, annotated in § 2-62-2).

Very sincerely yours,

Norman Lockyer

ALS 2p. Private collection, Paris 75017.

Time-stamp: "10.08.2020 22:52"

Notes

  • 1 The Science and Art Department of the British government was a sub-division of the Education Department, with oversight of the Royal College of Science, where Lockyer was professor of astronomical physics and director of the solar physics laboratory. In 1907, the Royal College of Science became part of the Imperial College of Science and Technology (Gay 2007, 35).
  • 2 Lockyer had recently written Poincaré that J.J. Sylvester was ill (§ 3-34-1), apparently in response to a query from Poincaré. It seems that Poincaré then asked Lockyer for details of Sylvester’s condition.
  • 3 See Poincaré (1892), published 03.03.1892, and annotated in § 2-55-1). Poincaré reacted to Peter Guthrie Tait’s critical review of his Sorbonne lectures on thermodynamics (Tait 1892, annotated in § 2-62-2).

References

  • H. Gay (2007) The History of Imperial College London, 1907–2007: Higher Education and Research in Science, Technology and Medicine. Imperial College Press, London. Cited by: endnote 1.
  • H. Poincaré (1892) Poincaré’s ‘Thermodynamics’. Nature 45, pp. 414–415. link1 Cited by: endnote 3.
  • P. G. Tait (1892) Poincaré’s Thermodynamics. Nature 45, pp. 245–246. link1 Cited by: endnote 3.