Correspondents

Francis Baily (1774-1844)

An English astronomer, and one of the founders of the Royal Astronomical Society (of which he would become President on four separate occasions between 1825 and his death). In 1835, Mary Somerville and Caroline Herschel became the first female (honorary) members. He is best known as the namesake of ‘Baily’s Beads’, the phenomenon wherein the topography of the moon allowing the sun to shine through in some places and not others in an eclipse gives the illusion of beads of light.

Henry Ingersoll Bowditch (1808-1892)

An American physician and passionate abolitionist, he was a mourner at the funeral of William Wilberforce and was a leader of the public campaign to save escaped enslaved person George Latimer from deportation back to Virginia in 1842. His medical legacy includes helping to popularize the stethoscope, serving as president of the American Medical Association, and founding the Massuchetts State Board of Health. He was hosted by the Somervilles in 1834, and sent four letters to Mary Somerville thereafter.

Ada King (née Byron), Countess Lovelace (1815-1852)

Known commonly as Ada Lovelace, she is hailed as one of the founders of computer science. As a girl she was tutored in maths and science by Mary Somerville. Somerville was responsible for introducing Lovelace to Charles Babbage in 1833, whose analytical engine would inspire Lovelace’s groundbreaking research. As she reached adulthood, Somerville became more of a mentor and role model on everything from physics to motherhood. Ada Lovelace was the only daughter of poet, satirist and raconteur Lord Byron.

Sir John William Lubbock (1803-1865)

An astronomer, mathematician, barrister, banker and the first Vice-Chancellor of the University of London, he was one of the foremost intellectuals of his era. After graduating from Cambridge in 1825, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1828 and, in 1829, a Fellow of the Royal Society. The latter brought him into contact with William Somerville, who became a frequent correspondence partner. Lubbock shared his research and elements of his archive with Mary Somerville, including some of the papers of the late Baron Simeon Denis Poisson (whose handwriting was evidently difficult to read).

Jane Marcet (née Haldimand) (1769-1858)

An author and socialite, like Mary Somerville she was a polymath whose expertise spanned economics, biology, maths, geology and more. Her writing on chemistry was particularly successful: her 1805 work Conversations on Chemistry, Intended More Especially for the Female Sex (published anonymously until 1832) was one of the first elementary science textbooks and an important moment in the development of public female intellectual culture. It ran to 16 editions and inspired the young Michael Faraday, among others. In 1816, Mary Somerville moved to London and at once sought Marcet out, who became a mentor, role model, and friend.

John Murray III (1808-1892)

The third generation of John Murrays to helm the John Murray publishing company, John Murray and his father John Murray II were Mary Somerville’s publishers for her distinguished literary career. Somerville sent over 100 letters to the two over her life, many of which are preserved in the John Murray Archive. The Murrays also published many other groundbreaking intellectual texts, including Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species

Sir William Edward Parry (1790-1855)

A navy officer and arctic explorer, William Parry in 1820 became the first person to navigate the Parry Channel that links Baffin Bay and the Beaufort Sea. He also had a keen interest in astronomy. Parry brought Somerville seeds and minerals from the Arctic. Mary Somerville made contact through her husband William; both men were members of the Royal Society.

The Reverend Adam Sedgwick (1785-1873)

An important figure in the development of geology who was the first to propose the Cambrian and Devonian periods, Sedgewick was also an Anglican priest. Somerville may have met him through their shared social circles, or she may have been connected with him by her husband Dr Somerville, as both men were members of the Royal Society. Despite his respect for Mary Somerville’s dedication to mathematics, Sedgwick was also a staunch and vocal opponent of women’s university education in the UK.

Dr William Somerville (1771-1860)

Mary Somerville’s first husband Lieutenant Greig was not a great supporter of education for women. By contrast, Dr William Somerville used his connections and resources to provide his wife with access to books, learned academies, and publication opportunities. A descendant of a cadet branch of the noble Somerville family, William served as an army surgeon in South Africa, followed by a successful career as a hospital inspector. He married his first cousin Mary Somerville in 1812. Elections to the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1813 and the Royal Society and the Royal College of Physicians in 1817 gave both Somervilles access to the elite intellectual circles of their day, and he was able to make introductions for Mary to important correspondents and collaborators.