Nature Magazine

Nature Magazine is a British weekly scientific journal, founded in 1869, featuring peer-reviewed research. Nature Magazine is one of the world's most cited and prestigious academic science journals.

In The Hesperus Prophecy, James presents Declan with an envelope containing a September 1929 cover of Nature Magazine. The magazine cover features two polar bears intrigued by an airplane flying overhead, foreshadowing the SS Valenicia’s destination (although there are no polar bears in Antarctica).

What really catches Declan’s attention is the envelope’s other content, a handwritten letter from Sir Richard Gregory, editor of Nature Magazine in 1938. The letter guarantees Professor Riordan two published articles, a career-boosting gift that would jumpstart his quest for tenure. While James says there are no strings attached, the letter intrigues the professor and ultimately convinces him to leave with James and Bruce.