Record

MS - Manuscripts General
- 603 - Correspondence of Sir Joseph Larmor, theoretical physicist and Physical Secretary of the Royal Society
  - 12 - Letters and notes by Sir Joseph Larmor, with associated correspondence

RefNo	MS/603/12/84
Previous numbers	2202
Level	Item
Title	Letter from Arthur W [William] Rücker, Manor House, Greencastle, Londonderry, to [Joseph] Larmor
Creator	Rücker; Sir Arthur William (1848-1915); British physicist
Recipient	Larmor; Sir Joseph (1857-1942); Irish theoretical physicist
Date	10 August 1902
Description	Rücker's experience of [Robert] Harrison is that he is an excellent organiser and loyal, and does not believe he wants to be independent. Rücker has been aware of his dissatisfaction with not being able to attend Council meetings, but this is largely a question of prestige. Rücker summarises his own experience of working on committees, and when Harrison was asked to draft a report, he was careful not to put his own ideas into it or to make omissions. Harrison did not interfere with Secretarial work and Rücker explains how papers were treated and refereeed. He thinks that Larmor must have experienced some difficulty that Rücker did not, but he does not understand what this might be. He goes on to describe the handling of correspondence in government departments and in universities. In the Royal Society papers are put in a box and the replies pasted in a book, but it may be time to change to another method of filing and card indexing; this might be discussed in October. When [Michael] Foster goes, it will be desirable for the two Secretaries to have a clear understanding of which business each undertakes, and they might meet before each Council. He never had any difficulty at Council when he was the sole Secretary, and Harrison had all papers ready for him. He sees no objection to the plan set out in Larmor's memorandum and except for Harrison attending Council meetings, there is no great change to current arrangements. He queries what Larmor meant about the Royal Society operating like a government department, and would like an example of where Larmor thinks he has been hampered. They could have a talk about this at Belfast if Larmor will be there.
Extent	19p.
Format	Manuscript
PhysicalDescription	Ink on paper
AccessStatus	Open

Fellows associated with this archive

Code	PersonName	Dates
NA6673	Rücker; Sir; Arthur William (1848 - 1915); physicist	1848 - 1915

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