Henri Becquerel - Academic praise before death. 1908.

Henri BECQUEREL (1852.1908)

Set of three autograph letters signed in Daniel Berthelot.

Six pages in-8 ° in total, on paper at its address.

[Paris]. July 3, 7 and 11, 1908

"Who could never have thought that I would be called to succeed your illustrious father as I had succeeded him in the physics section. »»

Important set of three letters from Becquerel to the son of the illustrious scientist Marcellin Berthelot, who died in March 1907, which he wished to praise during a session of the Academy of Sciences. Becquerel inquires about the written work of his predecessor and the intimate memories entrusted by Daniel Berthelot.

Becquerel will not pronounce this praise. He died suddenly, a month after this correspondence, at Croisic, on August 25, 1908.

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Letter I - July 3, 1908.

“My dear friend, thank you for your kind congratulations to which I am very sensitive. Who could have never thought that I would be called to succeed your illustrious father as I had succeeded him in the physics section. I am currently examining the possibility of pronouncing his praise in our public session this winter , if I have enough time to carry out such an important work. So I would like to be able to talk about it with you and ask you for the way to have certain essential documents. If it did not bother you I could cause with you on Monday after the session of the academy, otherwise I would ask you what day and what time we can meet, either at my house or in the laboratory. Affectionately to you. Henri Becquerel. »»

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Letter II - July 7, 1908.

"My dear friend, the works of your revered father I have in my library are as follows:

Chemistry based on synthesis.

Chemical synthesis.

Thermochemistry.

Practical treaty of gas analysis.

Can you lend for the holidays the origins of alchemy and the chemical revolution , and ask Mr. Quarschi [?] To send you a copy of his commemorative reading.

As I go on July 14 and that I do not think it is possible for you to have the book of Mr. Quarchi before that time, I am very grateful to send it to me directly to Croisic , Loire inf. where I will be from July 14. Thank you in advance. Above all, I intend that you will want to take care of writing a little note, memories and more particularly intimate information that you would consider useful to communicate to me. Your collaboration will be very precious to me for the work that I undertake and which scares me a little. Affectionately to you. Henri Becquerel »

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Letter III - July 11, 1908.

"Thank you my dear friend of the precious documents that you want to entrust me to guide me in the praise that I undertake your illustrious and venerated father. They complete those I collected at the Institute's library, where I borrowed with the chemical revolution, science and morals, science and education, archeology and mystery of science.

As you tell me the book I need the most now is the correspondence with Renan, will I find it at the Institute? Otherwise can you lend it to me? Finally, I still have to get the preface to my memories on the explosives. I read at the Institute the little book of 1872 on the strength of the powder.

Thank you for bringing the notice of Mr. Quarschi but it is to give you too much trouble to translate the whole scientific part. I have a little Italian dictionary that may allow me to get away with it without you imposing this great job. I had to return on the 14th but my departure is delayed by one or two days. Believe my very affectionately dedicated feelings. Henri Becquerel. »»