French mathematician and astronomer (1811-1877). Autograph letter signed. Paris. 8vo. 1 p. on bifolium.
$ 1,334 / 1.250 €
(91413/BN60495)
Interesting letter from the year of Le Verrier's death to a fellow member of the Institut de France, requesting a meeting to resolve a conflict in which "the one and the other" was at fault: "De mon côté, j'ai réprimé mon desir d'aller vous voir pensant que je ne vous serais pas agréable. Nous avons eu tort l'un et l'autre : et deux au contraire grand ça ne va pas qu'il faut se voir afin de mieux aviser et de concerter la route à suivre, scientifique et politiquement. Ceci entendu, comme je vous verrai au plus tard d[ans] l'Institut, je n'en dis pas plus long".
- Despite his sensational discovery of Neptune in 1846, Le Verrier had a difficult standing in the scientific community and was engaged in many arguments. In 1854, he first became director of the Paris Observatory but unhappiness over his management led to his removal from office in 1870. When his successor and adversary Charles-Eugène Delaunay drowned in 1872, Le Verrier was reinstated as director of the Observatory, albeit under close supervision. His name is among those of the 72 French scientists commemorated on the Eiffel Tower. - Minimally creased. With a collector's note in pencil..