Two Autograph Letters Signed "M. Faraday" sent from The Royal Institution. FARADAY (Michael).

FARADAY WRITES TO RICHARD PHILLIPS

Black ink. Two pages of bifolium, small blind stamp impression of a crown and "Bath" to the reverse. 8vo. [187 x 114 mm]. (Previously folded).

R[oyal] Institution: 12 November 1836

With:

Black ink. Single sheet. [185 x 114 mm]. (Previously folded).

Royal Institution: 4th December 1838

Both letters in excellent condition, inconsequential minor ink smudging to the second letter (dated 1838).

Letter one:

R Institution

12 Nov 1836

Dear Phillips

I can find no other way of having your address at Camberwell than by writing to you two or three times lately. I and my wife have wished to make out a call there but could not for [/] for want of the above. And if the [?] sets in then I do not know what will happen. How is the translation of the Pharmacopoeia getting on, is it ready?

Very truly yours

M Faraday

Mr Young was asking about you the other day.

Letter two:

Royal Institution

4 Dec 1838

Dear Phillips

I am very much indebted for your paper of remarks etc. and send another series for your examination on which I shall hope to receive a few notes. I have enquired about the examinership and find that that for the Midwest? faculty is not filled up.

Ever truly yours

M Faraday

Richard Phillips (1778-1851), a chemist educated under George Fordyce and William Allen, first met Michael Faraday as a member of the City Philosophical Society where they were to form a lifelong friendship. Phillips held a reputation "as a chemical analyst of the highest competence" (ODNB), he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1822 and served on the council between 1839-41 and from 1850 until his death. In 1841 he was one of the founders of the Chemical Society, of which he became president between 1849-51.

Notably, in a 1965 article written for the Royal Society by the renowned chemist Harold Brewer Hartley which focused on a letter written by Phillips to Faraday, Hartley points out that "in 1821 he [Phillips], fortunately for science, directed Faraday's attention to electromagnetism by asking him to contribute a series of articles on this new field of investigation following on Oersted's discovery of the effect of an electric current on a magnetic needle in 1819". This letter can be found in <i>The Correspondence of Michael Faraday: 1811-1831<n>, edited by Frank A.J.L James, (Letter 157, dated 2nd November 1821). Phillips writes to Faraday: "I write you this just to jog your memory that we expect from you this month and as early as suits you the remainder of the history of Electro-magnetism - and now mind what I say - if you do not do yourself justice, I will, and that by giving a murderous account of your discoveries".

Phillips and Faraday remained close friends and stayed in contact until Phillips's death at his home in Camberwell in 1851.

Stock no. ebc8769