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Joseph Henry
 
DOCUMENTS
   
When Henry penned the letter below, he was virtually unknown outside the cientific
community of Albany, New York, where he was professor of mathematics and natural   philosophy at the Albany Academy. The letter resulted in his first major publication, "On the Application of the Principle of the Galvanic Multiplier to Electro-Magnetic Apparatus, and Also to the Developement of Great Magnetic Power in Soft Iron, with a   Small Galvanic Element," in the January 1831 issue of Silliman's Journal. In this article,    Henry announced a significant breakthrough in constructing powerful    Nathan Reingold has put it. The article would bring Henry to the attention of the international scientific community and establish his reputation as a leading American  scientist. electromagnets--"then the equivalents of our atom smashers, computers, and rockets," as  Nathan Reingold has put it. The article would bring Henry to the attention of the   international scientific community and establish his reputation as a leading American   scientist.
   
HENRY TO BENJAMIN SILLIMAN, SR.2

                                                                  Albany Dec 10th 1830

   
       

             Prof. Silliman
                 Dear Sir 

 I have been engaged for some time past in a series of experiments on electro-magnetism and particularly in reference to the developement of great magnetic power with a small galvanic element. The results I wish to publish if possible in the next No. of the Journal of  Science. I am anxious that they should appear as soon as possible since by delaying the publication of the principles of these experiments for nearly two years I have lately had the  mortification of being anticipated in part by a paper from Prof. Moll in the last No of      Brewster's Journal.3 

Please inform me if I shall be too late for the next no. of the Journal if I send my paper within two weeks of the date of this letter--it will probably make five or six pages. If it be not   too late I should like to have a small wood cut of a powerful magnet which I am constructing on electro-magnetic principles. 

Both Mrs. Henry and myself retain a lively reccollection of the many polite attentions we  received in New Haven last Spring. We join in a respectful remembrance to your self and  family.

                                                                 I am with much respect
                                                                Your humble serv
                                                                 Joseph Henry

             

        
 Silliman Family Papers, Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University Library. Published in    Nathan Reingold et al., eds. The Papers of Joseph Henry, vol. 1, December 1797-October   1832: The Albany Years (Washington, 1972), pp. 301-302.


 


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