Correspondents, Interlocutors, Mentors and Dramatis Personae
Arago, (Dominique) François (Jean) (1786–1853)
French astronomer and physicist, Professor of Physics at the École Polytechnique in Paris.
Friend and correspondent
They were living at the Observatory, and M. Arago showed me all the instruments of that magnificent establishment in the minutest detail, which was highly interesting at the time, and proved more useful to me than I was aware of. M. Arago made us acquainted with the Marquis de Laplace, and the Marquise, who was quite an élégante. (Recollections, 117)
French astronomer and physicist, Professor of Physics at the École Polytechnique in Paris.
Friend and correspondent
They were living at the Observatory, and M. Arago showed me all the instruments of that magnificent establishment in the minutest detail, which was highly interesting at the time, and proved more useful to me than I was aware of. M. Arago made us acquainted with the Marquis de Laplace, and the Marquise, who was quite an élégante. (Recollections, 117)
Charles Babbage (1791-1871)
Mathematician, scientist and inventor of the Analytical Engine
correspondent and mentor
WE went frequently to see Mr Babbage while he was making his Calculating-machines. He had a transcendent intellect, unconquerable perseverance, and extensive knowledge on many subjects, besides being a first-rate mathematician. I always found him most amiable and patient in explaining the structure and use of the engines. (Recollections, 141)
Mathematician, scientist and inventor of the Analytical Engine
correspondent and mentor
WE went frequently to see Mr Babbage while he was making his Calculating-machines. He had a transcendent intellect, unconquerable perseverance, and extensive knowledge on many subjects, besides being a first-rate mathematician. I always found him most amiable and patient in explaining the structure and use of the engines. (Recollections, 141)
Baillie, Joanna (1762–1851)
Scottish dramatist and poet.
Correspondent and friend
As for spelling I am very bad at it, even now, that I am writing in extreme old age. On comparing notes with my dear old friend, Joanna Baillie° the poetess, who agreed with me in points much more important than that of spelling, we were not a little amused to find that in writing a letter we made use of words we could spell, not those we should have used in conversation. (Recollections, 124)
Scottish dramatist and poet.
Correspondent and friend
As for spelling I am very bad at it, even now, that I am writing in extreme old age. On comparing notes with my dear old friend, Joanna Baillie° the poetess, who agreed with me in points much more important than that of spelling, we were not a little amused to find that in writing a letter we made use of words we could spell, not those we should have used in conversation. (Recollections, 124)
Biot, Jean-Baptiste (1774–1862)
Physicist, Professor of Mathematics at the University of Beauvais.
Physicist, Professor of Mathematics at the University of Beauvais.
Correspondent and friend
When MM. Arago° and Biot came to England to continue the French arc of the meridian through Great Britain, they were warmly received by the scientific men in London, and we were always invited to meet them by those whom we knew. They had been told of my turn for science, and that I had read the works of Laplace. Biot expressed his surprise at my youth. . (Recollections, 115)
Henry Peter Brougham, (1778–1868)
He was educated at Edinburgh High School and Edinburgh University and finally became Lord Chancellor;
Correspondent, mentor and intigator for the Laplace translation
'I assure you I speak without any flattery when I say that of the two subjects which I find it most difficult to see the chance of executing, there is one, which – unless Mrs. Somerville will undertake – none else can, and it must be left undone, though about the most interesting of the whole, I mean an account of the Mécanique Céleste; the other is an account of the Principia, which I have some hopes of at Cambridge.'
HB to William Somerville, in Recollections, p. 156.
He was educated at Edinburgh High School and Edinburgh University and finally became Lord Chancellor;
Correspondent, mentor and intigator for the Laplace translation
'I assure you I speak without any flattery when I say that of the two subjects which I find it most difficult to see the chance of executing, there is one, which – unless Mrs. Somerville will undertake – none else can, and it must be left undone, though about the most interesting of the whole, I mean an account of the Mécanique Céleste; the other is an account of the Principia, which I have some hopes of at Cambridge.'
HB to William Somerville, in Recollections, p. 156.
Frances Power Cobbe (1822–1904)
Anglo-Irish writer, philosopher, religious thinker, social reformer, anti-vivisection activist and leading women's suffrage campaigner.
Friend and correspondent
' I repeat no one admires Frances Cobbe more than I do. I have ever found her a brilliant, charming companion, and a warm, affectionate friend. She is one of the few with whom I keep up a correspondence.'
Recollections, p. 300.
Anglo-Irish writer, philosopher, religious thinker, social reformer, anti-vivisection activist and leading women's suffrage campaigner.
Friend and correspondent
' I repeat no one admires Frances Cobbe more than I do. I have ever found her a brilliant, charming companion, and a warm, affectionate friend. She is one of the few with whom I keep up a correspondence.'
Recollections, p. 300.
Augustus de Morgan (1806-1871)
Mathematician, logician and first Professor of Mathematics at University College London
correspondent
I was elected an honorary member of the Royal Astronomical Society at the same time as Miss Caroline Herschel. To be associated with so distinguished an astronomer was in itself an honour. Mr De Morgan, to whom I am indebted for many excellent mathematical works, was then secretary of the society, and announced to us the distinction conferred.
Recollections, 165
Mathematician, logician and first Professor of Mathematics at University College London
correspondent
I was elected an honorary member of the Royal Astronomical Society at the same time as Miss Caroline Herschel. To be associated with so distinguished an astronomer was in itself an honour. Mr De Morgan, to whom I am indebted for many excellent mathematical works, was then secretary of the society, and announced to us the distinction conferred.
Recollections, 165
Maria Edgeworth, (1767–1849)
Irish novelist, educationist, and writer of moral tales for children. She refers, in her letter to Mary Somerville (p. 165), to her sister Harriet. Her Letters in England are a useful source of information about Mary Somerville.
'Mrs Somerville is the lady who, Laplace says, is the only woman who understands his works. She draws beautifully, and while her head is among the stars her feet are firm upon the earth.'
Edgeworth to a friend , January 17, 1822, in Recollections 151.
Irish novelist, educationist, and writer of moral tales for children. She refers, in her letter to Mary Somerville (p. 165), to her sister Harriet. Her Letters in England are a useful source of information about Mary Somerville.
'Mrs Somerville is the lady who, Laplace says, is the only woman who understands his works. She draws beautifully, and while her head is among the stars her feet are firm upon the earth.'
Edgeworth to a friend , January 17, 1822, in Recollections 151.
Woronzow Greig (1805–65)
Mary Somerville’s son by her first marriage. He was a barrister and became Clerk of the Peace for Surrey.
I dare say you think it very long since you have heard from me, my dearest Woronzow, but the truth is, I have been writing so hard, that after I had finished my day’s work, I was fit for nothing but idleness.
MS to WG, 29 August 1841, in Recollections, 219.
Mary Somerville’s son by her first marriage. He was a barrister and became Clerk of the Peace for Surrey.
I dare say you think it very long since you have heard from me, my dearest Woronzow, but the truth is, I have been writing so hard, that after I had finished my day’s work, I was fit for nothing but idleness.
MS to WG, 29 August 1841, in Recollections, 219.
John Herschel (1792-1871)
Mathematician, astronomer and chemist, inventor, experimental photographer and botanist.
He reviewed Somerville's work, corresponded with her and was a life-long friend.
Mathematician, astronomer and chemist, inventor, experimental photographer and botanist.
He reviewed Somerville's work, corresponded with her and was a life-long friend.
Nothing can be more pleasing and simple than the personal narration, the account of your strong early interest in those studies which you ultimately pursued with such extraordinary success and your self-taught progress in them under the most discouraging circumstances
(JH to MS, Queen of Science, 9)
(JH to MS, Queen of Science, 9)
Pierre-Simon Laplace (1749-1829)
French scholar whose work was important to the development of engineering, mathematics, statistics, physics, astronomy, and philosophy.
Friend and correspondent
We were invited to go early and spend a day with them at Arcœuil, where they had a country house. M. Arago had told M. de Laplace that I had read the Mécanique Céleste, so we had a great deal of conversation about astronomy and the calculus, and he gave me a copy of his Système du Monde with his inscription, which pleased me exceedingly.
Recollections, p. 117.
French scholar whose work was important to the development of engineering, mathematics, statistics, physics, astronomy, and philosophy.
Friend and correspondent
We were invited to go early and spend a day with them at Arcœuil, where they had a country house. M. Arago had told M. de Laplace that I had read the Mécanique Céleste, so we had a great deal of conversation about astronomy and the calculus, and he gave me a copy of his Système du Monde with his inscription, which pleased me exceedingly.
Recollections, p. 117.
Ada Lovelace(1815-1852)
Protégée, friend and correspondent
I now read Mathematics every day, and am occupied on Trigonometry and in preliminaries to Cubic and Biquadratic Equations. So you see that matrimony has by no means lessened my taste for those pursuits, nor my determination to carry them on, although it has necessarily diminished the time I have at command.
AL to MS, 1-11-1835 [OBL/MSC/c.367].
Margaret Charters, Fairfax (1741–1832).
Mary Somerville’s mother was the daughter of Samuel Fairfax, Solicitor of Customs for Scotland.
[there are no extant images of her]
we were met with uncommon attention and besides seeing all kinds of public institutions we were invited with much hospitality to the houses of the most celebrated philosophers of France, who made entertainments on purpose to make us aquainted with everyone who was eminent in science
MS to MF, [OBL/MSC/c.357 ]
Mary Somerville’s mother was the daughter of Samuel Fairfax, Solicitor of Customs for Scotland.
[there are no extant images of her]
we were met with uncommon attention and besides seeing all kinds of public institutions we were invited with much hospitality to the houses of the most celebrated philosophers of France, who made entertainments on purpose to make us aquainted with everyone who was eminent in science
MS to MF, [OBL/MSC/c.357 ]
Vice-Admiral Sir William George Fairfax (1739–1813) father of Mary Somerville with his second wife, Margaret Charters
I had the grief to lose my dear father at this time. He had served sixty-seven years in the British Navy, and must have been twice on the North American station, for he was present at the taking of Quebec by General Wolfe, in 1759,38 and afterwards during the War of Independence. After the battle of Camperdown he was made a Colonel of Marines, and died, in 1813, Vice-Admiral of the Red.
Recollections, p. 106.
I had the grief to lose my dear father at this time. He had served sixty-seven years in the British Navy, and must have been twice on the North American station, for he was present at the taking of Quebec by General Wolfe, in 1759,38 and afterwards during the War of Independence. After the battle of Camperdown he was made a Colonel of Marines, and died, in 1813, Vice-Admiral of the Red.
Recollections, p. 106.
John Playfair (1748-1819)
Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy at Edinburgh University in 1785 and also a noted geologist.
Mentor and correspondent
Of that older group no one was more celebrated than Professor Playfair°. He knew that I was reading the Mécanique Céleste, and asked me how I got on? I told him that I was stopped short by a difficulty now and then, but I persevered till I got over it. He said, ‘You would do better to read on for a few pages and return to it again, it will then no longer seem so difficult.’ I invariably followed his advice and with much success.
Recollections, p. 98.
Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy at Edinburgh University in 1785 and also a noted geologist.
Mentor and correspondent
Of that older group no one was more celebrated than Professor Playfair°. He knew that I was reading the Mécanique Céleste, and asked me how I got on? I told him that I was stopped short by a difficulty now and then, but I persevered till I got over it. He said, ‘You would do better to read on for a few pages and return to it again, it will then no longer seem so difficult.’ I invariably followed his advice and with much success.
Recollections, p. 98.
William Somerville (1771-1860)
Mary Somerville's second husband and 'secretary'
My father’s style in writing English was singularly pure and correct, and he was very fastidious on this topic – a severe critic, whether in correcting the children’s lessons or in reading over the last proof sheets of my mother’s works previous to their publication. [...] He was far happier in helping my mother in various ways, searching the libraries for the books she required, indefatigably copying and recopying her manuscripts, to save her time. No trouble seemed too great which he bestowed upon her; it was a labour of love.
Recollections, p. 101.
Mary Somerville's second husband and 'secretary'
My father’s style in writing English was singularly pure and correct, and he was very fastidious on this topic – a severe critic, whether in correcting the children’s lessons or in reading over the last proof sheets of my mother’s works previous to their publication. [...] He was far happier in helping my mother in various ways, searching the libraries for the books she required, indefatigably copying and recopying her manuscripts, to save her time. No trouble seemed too great which he bestowed upon her; it was a labour of love.
Recollections, p. 101.
Martha Somerville (1813-1879)
Daughter and biographer of Mary Somerville
[there are no extant images of her]
It has been only after very great hesitation, and on the recommendation of valued friends, who think that some account of so remarkable and beautiful a character cannot fail to interest the public, that I have resolved to publish some detached Recollections of past times, noted down by my mother during the last years of her life
Recollections, p. 39.
Daughter and biographer of Mary Somerville
[there are no extant images of her]
It has been only after very great hesitation, and on the recommendation of valued friends, who think that some account of so remarkable and beautiful a character cannot fail to interest the public, that I have resolved to publish some detached Recollections of past times, noted down by my mother during the last years of her life
Recollections, p. 39.
William Wallace (1768–1843)
Scottish mathematician, largely self-educated. In 1819 he was appointed Professor of Mathematics at Edinburgh University.
Mentor and Correspondent
I had now read a good deal on the higher branches of mathematics and physical astronomy, but as I never had been taught, I was afraid that I might imagine that I understood the subjects when I really did not; so by Professor Wallace’s advice I engaged his brother to read with me, and the book I chose to study with him was the Mécanique Céleste. Mr John Wallace was a good mathematician, but I soon found that I understood the subject as well as he did.
Recollections, p. 98.
Scottish mathematician, largely self-educated. In 1819 he was appointed Professor of Mathematics at Edinburgh University.
Mentor and Correspondent
I had now read a good deal on the higher branches of mathematics and physical astronomy, but as I never had been taught, I was afraid that I might imagine that I understood the subjects when I really did not; so by Professor Wallace’s advice I engaged his brother to read with me, and the book I chose to study with him was the Mécanique Céleste. Mr John Wallace was a good mathematician, but I soon found that I understood the subject as well as he did.
Recollections, p. 98.