| RefNo | NLB/28/230 |
| AltRefNo | NLB/28 p126-127 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Copy letter from Robert William Frederick Harrison, to Sir William Huggins, President of the Royal Society |
| Date | 2 February 1904 |
| Description | Harrison responds to Huggins' letter enclosing the letter from the Lancet, and expresses no surprise that they are indignant. He notes that their letter is largely an accurate reflection of the facts, with the exception Harrison's letter did not contradict his telephone message which was a general permission, but merely amended the timing of publication in light of Professor Joseph Larmor's suggestion that the British Medical Journal ought be granted permission too, but they did not have time to send corrected proofs to either in time for publication.
He states clearly that the inference that the British Medical Journal acted with the Royal Society's authority is wrong, and in fact contravened direct instructions - a point which he has communicated to the Editor of the Lancet. The Editor of the British Medical Journal is yet to respond to Harrison's enquiry on the matter.
Harrison has also asked Dr Bashford how the journals acquired copies of his paper in the absence of an authoritative copy being sent out by the Society, and encloses his response, which does not provide an explanation. He believes that Huggins is happy for Harrison to respond to the editor of the Lancet, but encloses a copy of this letter in case Huggins wishes for him to respond indirectly by sending it.
He wishes to clear up how this error occurred, and sends a copy of the relevant regulations which he has already cited to both journals concerned. He concludes by stating 'The whole trouble is an example of the evils of modern journalism, [with a manuscript addition] and of the telephone'. |
| Extent | 2p |
| Format | Carbon |
| PhysicalDescription | Typescript |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA7376 | Huggins; Sir; William (1824 - 1910); astronomer | 1824 - 1910 |