Description

Description: In this two-page autograph letter signed, Theodore Phillips lauds the brilliant mathematician and physicist James Jeans’ ability as an excellent lecturer, but is uncertain about his interest in popular or “ordinary” lectures.

“Dear Mr. Christy,

There is no double about the ability of Sir James Jeans to give a thoroughly interesting as well as otherwise excellent lecture. But I do not think he is the sort of man to go in for the giving of popular lectures in the ordinary way. I was not aware he had ever done University extension work. He is retiring from the secretaryship of the Royal Society this year.

I am/Yours faithfully/Theodore E. R. Phillips

P.S. With regard to your question I have, of course, frequently heard Sir James Jeans speak & have also heard him lecture most admirably. All I mean is that I doubt whether he would care to give popular lectures of the ordinary type.”

Written on an  8” x 5” sheet of Royal Astronomical Society letterhead dated Aug. 14th (most likely 1929–the year James Jeans retired as Physical Secretary of the Royal Society). Included with this letter is a 1929 prospectus for Sir James Jeans’ forthcoming book, The Universe Around Us. Item #A01830

Theodore Evelyn Reece Phillips, aka T.E.R. Phillips (1868-1942) was an English astronomer, Anglican curate and vicar, who was also interested in meteorology. He was the director of the Jupiter section of the British Astronomical Association (1900-33), and the director of the Saturn section (1935-40).

Sir James Jeans (1877-1946) was an English physicist, astronomer, and mathematician who worked on thermodynamics, heat, and many aspects of radiation. One of his discoveries named Jeans length represents the critical radius of interstellar clouds. He espoused a philosophy of science rooted in idealism as opposed to materialism. The Universe Around Us (1929) and Through Space and Time (1934) are considered his best work. He was the Physical Secretary of the Royal Society, 1919-1929 and its Vice-President, 1938-40. He was a recipient of numerous honors and awards, including the gold medal of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1922 and the Franklin Medal of the Franklin Institute (1931).

Condition: Several staple holes at the right upper corner.  Generally in very good condition.