| RefNo | MS/603/6/189 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from William Huggins, 90 Upper Tulse Hill, S W [South West] London, to the Secretary [Joseph Larmor] |
| Creator | Huggins; Sir William (1824-1910); British astronomer |
| Recipient | Larmor; Sir Joseph (1857-1942); Irish theoretical physicist |
| Date | 14 June 1909 |
| Description | He informs Larmor that he has sent a telegram with his acceptance. He then states how happy he and his wife [Margaret Huggins] are at 'this mark of public appreciation, though we may all wish it had been a more adequate one'. Huggins states that the number of KCB [Knight Commander of the Order of Bath] is limited, and that he is sorry to say that 'the trend of the last few years has been to give the highest honours to rich nobodies and to pushing politicians', but acknowledges that at least Larmor is in 'good company' with [Oliver Joseph] Lodge, [Arthur William] Rucker, [James] Dewar, J J [Joseph John] Thompson and [Archibald] Geikie. He notes that many years ago Dewar refused a CC [Companion of the Order of Bath] as inadequate, and it took many years for him to gain a knighthood. Huggins recalls that when he receieved a KCB 'it was two days before I could bring myself to accept it', though he now feels it would have been wrong to have refused it. He then invites Larmor to visit. Lastly, he adds a reminder of the kind of suit he will need to wear for the King's summons. |
| Extent | 4p |
| Format | Manuscript |
| PhysicalDescription | Ink on paper |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA7376 | Huggins; Sir; William (1824 - 1910); astronomer | 1824 - 1910 |
| NA7894 | Larmor; Sir; Joseph (1857 - 1942); physicist | 1857 - 1942 |