Record

RefNoNLB/8/495
AltRefNoNLB/8 p207-210
LevelItem
TitleCopy letter from Michael Foster, to Dr Alfred Tuckerman, 61 Kay Street, Newport, Rhose Island, U.S.A.
Date4 November 1893
DescriptionFoster reports that the attention of the President and Council of the Royal Society has been called to a statement which appeared in 'Chemical News', 20 October 1893, and quotes the passage which refers to Tuckerman, a member of the Committee on Indexing Chemical Literature of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, who decided to prepare a subject-index to the chemistry and physics in the work's eight quarto volumes, but before beginning work, wrote a letter to the Secretary of the Royal Society to announce his scheme. The statement further states that he asked for no money or liability from the Society, but in spite of this, the reply he received stated that the Council had refused permission to have such an index prepared, and as a consequence Tuckerman abandoned his scheme.

Foster has been directed to assure Tuckerman that his proposal was not understood as stated, and quotes from his letter of 19 March 1890, "I would be willing to undertake it (i.e. the subject-index) if I can be assured of credit on the title page for my share in the work", and explains that understandably this was taken to mean that the cost of the printing was to be borne by the Society. If the statement in the 'Chemical News' is correct, there would be no need for the Society to assure Tuckerman of credit.

The President and Council do not wish to communicate with 'Chemical News' or Mr Carrington Bolton on the subject, but wish to express their regret at having misinterpreted Tuckerman's proposal, and their wish that he had been clearer in his offer.
Extent4p
FormatCarbon
AccessStatusOpen
RelatedRecordMC/16/69
Add to My Items

    Collection highlights

    Browse the records of some of our collections, which cover all branches of science and date from the 12th century onwards. These include the published works of Fellows of the Royal Society, personal papers of eminent scientists, letters and manuscripts sent to the Society or presented at meetings, and administrative records documenting the Society's activities since our foundation in 1660.

    The Royal Society

    The Royal Society is a Fellowship of many of
    the world's most eminent scientists and is the
    oldest scientific academy in continuous existence.
    Registered charity number 207043

    Website design ©CalmView



    CONTACT US

    + 44 207 451 2500
    (Lines open Mon-Fri, 9:00-17:00. Excludes bank holidays)

    6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AG

    Email Us →

    SUBSCRIBE

    Subscribe to our newsletters to be updated with the
    latest news on innovation, events, articles and reports.

    Subscribe →

    © CalmView