To J. S. Henslow 18 [May 1837]
Summary
Plans to apply to Government for assistance with publishing Zoology.
Robert Brown has taken an interest in the fossil woods.
CD is at work on his journal. Has not begun his geology yet. Has seen much of Lyell.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Stevens Henslow |
Date: | 18 [May 1837] |
Classmark: | Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Henslow letters: 35 DAR/1/1/35) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-355 |
Matches: 5 hits
- … CD is at work on his journal. Has not begun his geology yet . Has seen much of Lyell. …
- … title Journal of researches into the geology and natural history of the various countries …
- … be soon enough for me. — I have not begun my geology yet ! , though indeed I have been far …
- … with the Dons about the publication of my geology; the more I see of things the greater …
- … friend, I entertain great hopes that my geology will be of service. — I grieve to hear …
To William Whewell [10 March 1837]
Summary
CD seeks to decline the Secretaryship [of the Geological Society] by citing his obligation to FitzRoy to write his volume of the narrative of their expedition. His youth, inexperience, and ignorance of English geology.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | William Whewell |
Date: | [10 Mar 1837] |
Classmark: | Trinity College Library, Cambridge (Add c 88: 2) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-347 |
Matches: 4 hits
- … narrative of their expedition. His youth, inexperience, and ignorance of English geology. …
- … to me greater from my ignorance of English geology. After my first work is completed, in …
- … am, and how little I know of that kind of geology, or of general business, which would be …
- … it would be, to so good a cause, as geology, but I feel far more, in not at once acceding …
To J. S. Henslow 14 October [1837]
Summary
CD’s reasons for his reluctance to take the Secretaryship of the Geological Society.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Stevens Henslow |
Date: | 14 Oct [1837] |
Classmark: | Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Henslow letters: 42 DAR/1/1/42) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-382 |
Matches: 5 hits
- … the event, the three volumes covering the geology of the Beagle voyage were not completed …
- … 1 st . My entire ignorance of English geology, a knowledge of which would be almost …
- … hour, that I should be able to finish my geology in a year and a half, by which time the …
- … as the government work must go on, the geology would necessarily be deferred till probably …
- … impossible with the Government work and the geology in hand. My last objection, is that I …
To Leonard Jenyns [4 December 1837]
Summary
Is sorry the fish [for Zoology] give LJ so much trouble. Urges him not to give up. Describes publication plan of Zoology.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Leonard Jenyns; Leonard Blomefield |
Date: | [4 Dec 1837] |
Classmark: | Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-392 |
To W. D. Fox [12 March 1837]
Summary
Finished going over his geological specimens at Cambridge, and is now in London.
Describes his plans for writing the journal, and later the geology and zoology of the Beagle voyage.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
Date: | [12 Mar 1837] |
Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 51) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-348 |
To J. S. Henslow [28 May 1837]
Summary
CD to read paper on formation of coral islands at Geological Society. Lyell seems prepared to give up [his view].
Publication of the Narrative is now definite. Feels he should have published journal after the geology and zoology of the voyage.
Robert Brown, as well as JSH, is interested in edible fungi from Tierra del Fuego.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Stevens Henslow |
Date: | [28 May 1837] |
Classmark: | Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Henslow letters: 36 DAR/1/1/36) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-356 |
To J. S. Henslow [4 November 1837]
Summary
CD’s work [on Zoology] is going smoothly. Marvels at finding himself an author [of Journal of researches]. Part so far printed has a good many errata.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Stevens Henslow |
Date: | [4 Nov 1837] |
Classmark: | Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Henslow letters: 43 DAR/1/1/43) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-384 |
To Charles Lyell [19 December 1837]
Summary
Responds to Lyell’s query [missing] about northern and southern limits of coral islands of the Pacific. Warns that coral islands are much more thinly distributed than people realise and cites examples. Comments on views of Matthew Flinders. Reading work of É[lie] de B[eaumont]. Notes difficulty of setting an east-west boundary to coral islands.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Charles Lyell, 1st baronet |
Date: | [19 Dec 1837] |
Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.9) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-394 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … Bibliography Lyell, Charles. 1838. Elements of geology. London: John Murray. …
To Charles Lyell 30 July 1837
Summary
Galapagos land birds and reptiles.
No two naturalists agree on any fundamental idea [of species]. "Everything is arbitrary."
Has been with Richard Owen going over the S. American fossils.
Has worked out the non-relation between animals’ bulk and luxuriance of vegetation.
The horse once common on the Pampas. The mystery of the extinction of these animals.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Charles Lyell, 1st baronet |
Date: | 30 July 1837 |
Classmark: | The University of Edinburgh Centre for Research Collections (Lyell Collection Coll-203/A1/69: 140–2) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-367 |
To J. S. Henslow 28 March [1837]
Summary
Publication plans for the account of the Beagle expedition – CD to have the third volume for his journal.
News of naturalists and their interest in his specimens. Queries about plant specimens, including one on whether seeds from Keeling Island would endure salt water.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Stevens Henslow |
Date: | 28 Mar [1837] |
Classmark: | Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Henslow letters: 34 DAR/1/1/34) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-353 |
To W. D. Fox 7 July [1837]
Summary
Has finished the Journal; is readying it for the press.
Adds family news including Caroline’s forthcoming marriage to Josiah Wedgwood III.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
Date: | 7 July [1837] |
Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 52) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-364 |
To John Richardson [24 July 1837]
Summary
Questions about woods in cold, northern climates; about JR’s reference to frozen sandstone; about how far out from the shore the sea may become frozen.
His petition for assistance from the government is in statu quo; he is working at his Journal [of researches].
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Richardson |
Date: | [24 July 1837] |
Classmark: | Scott Polar Research Institute (MS 1503/16/1) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-366F |
From Charles Lyell 13 February 1837
Summary
"I could think of nothing for days after your lesson on coral reefs, but of the top of submerged continents. It is all true, but do not flatter youself that you will be believed, till you are growing bald, like me, with hard work & vexation at the incredulity in the world."
Author: | Charles Lyell, 1st baronet |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 13 Feb 1837 |
Classmark: | The University of Edinburgh Centre for Research Collections (Lyell Collection Coll-203/B9) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-343 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … reference to extremist diluvialists in geology who believed in the Noachian flood. …
To William Shoberl [22 or 23 September 1837]
Summary
Thanks WS for a document [see 379]. Promises to send MS and woodcuts before night. Discusses details of printing and correction. Thanks WS and Henry Colburn for assistance.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | William Shoberl |
Date: | [22 or 23] Sept 1837 |
Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.8) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-380 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … of researches : Journal of researches into the geology and natural history of the various …
To J. S. Henslow [12 or 13 July 1837]
Summary
Has been "cramming up learning to ornament my journal with".
Sends a list of questions on his botanical specimens. Needs answers for Journal of researches, which he expects to go to press in August.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Stevens Henslow |
Date: | [12 or 13 July 1837] |
Classmark: | Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Henslow letters: 37 DAR/1/1/37) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-366 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … finished that I might set to w
〈 or〉 k at the geology. — You d〈 o〉 not known, what a comfort …
To W. D. Fox 28 August [1837]
Summary
Proof-sheets [of Journal of researches] are tumbling in. Mentions future plans for Zoology and geological works. Has £1000 from Government for illustrations.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
Date: | 28 Aug [1837] |
Classmark: | University of British Columbia Library, Rare Books and Special Collections (Pearce/Darwin Fox collection RBSC-ARC-1721-1-76) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-374 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … be trying to make progress with the Geology. — But writing is most tedious & difficult …
To J. S. Henslow [20 September 1837]
Summary
Doctors have urged him to knock off all work and go to the country. Arranges proof-reading with JSH, while he is at Shrewsbury.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Stevens Henslow |
Date: | [20 Sept 1837] |
Classmark: | Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Henslow letters: 40 DAR/1/1/40) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-378 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … researches into the natural history and geology of the countries visited during the voyage …
To Caroline Darwin [19 May – 16 June 1837]
Summary
Sends a number of questions (to put to his father), mainly concerned with transmission of diseases, between Europeans and natives, "people packed together", etc.
Is investigating how to get Government support [for Zoology].
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Caroline Sarah (Caroline) Darwin; Caroline Sarah (Caroline) Wedgwood |
Date: | [19 May – 16 June 1837] |
Classmark: | DAR 154: 52 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-360 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … Charles Darwin’s notebooks, 1836–1844. Geology, transmutation of species, metaphysical …
To Leonard Jenyns 10 April [1837]
Summary
Discusses possibility of publishing the zoology of the voyage of the Beagle. Will need help from more able naturalists. Would LJ object to describing the fishes for such a work rather than for scientific journals? Is working on his Beagle journal.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Leonard Jenyns; Leonard Blomefield |
Date: | 10 Apr [1837] |
Classmark: | Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-354 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … to me, in discussing much S. American geology. — I miss a walk in the country very much; …
From Emily Catherine Darwin 15 [January 1837]
Summary
Morning Herald had an account of CD’s 80 specimens of Mammalia and 450 birds at the Zoological Society.
John Gould has described new species in CD’s Galapagos birds.
Much interest in CD’s "Laurels".
Family news.
Author: | Emily Catherine (Catherine) Darwin; Emily Catherine (Catherine) Langton |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 15 [Jan 1837] |
Classmark: | DAR 204: 142 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-341 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … accounts respecting the geography, geology, statistics, government, finances, agriculture, …
letter | (22) |
Darwin, C. R. | (19) |
Lyell, Charles | (2) |
Darwin, Catherine | (1) |
Langton, Catherine | (1) |
Blomefield, Leonard | (2) |
Darwin, C. R. | (3) |
Darwin, Caroline | (2) |
Fox, W. D. | (3) |
Henslow, J. S. | (7) |
Jenyns, Leonard | (2) |
Lyell, Charles | (2) |
Richardson, John | (1) |
Shoberl, William | (1) |
Wedgwood, Caroline | (2) |
Whewell, William | (1) |
Darwin, C. R. | (22) |
Henslow, J. S. | (7) |
Lyell, Charles | (4) |
Fox, W. D. | (3) |
Blomefield, Leonard | (2) |
Darwin & Geology
Summary
The lessons Darwin learned from Adam Sedgwick at Cambridge, and in the field in North Wales, stood him in good stead during the Beagle voyage. While he was attached to the Beagle from 1831 to 1835, Darwin actually spent about two-thirds of his time ashore,…
Matches: 8 hits
- … actually spent about two-thirds of his time ashore, where geology was his single most frequent …
- … and the coral reefs of the Pacific, Darwin’s notes on geology accumulated twice as fast as those on …
- … he believed the same basic processes that had shaped the geology of South America were also at work …
- … of the previous decade by publishing three volumes on the geology of the Beagle voyage, but as …
- … for further reading… On Darwin’s work in geology: Herbert, Sandra. 2005. …
- … A. 1991. The discovery of a vocation: Darwin’s early geology. British Journal for the History of …
- … of Science 9: 199–218. On the history of geology: Greene, Mott C. 1982. …
- … Laudan, Rachel. 1994 [1987]. From mineralogy to geology . Chicago: University of Chicago Press …
The geology of the Beagle voyage
Summary
The primary concern that linked much of Darwin’s geological work in the Beagle years was to understand the changing relation between the levels of land and sea. As he studied the shores of South America, and discovered shells inland at thousands of feet…
Darwin’s introduction to geology
Summary
Darwin collected minerals as a child and was introduced to the science of geology at the University of Edinburgh, but he only became actively interested in the subject as he was completing his degree at Cambridge.
Bibliography of Darwin’s geological publications
Summary
This list includes papers read by Darwin to the Geological Society of London, his books on the geology of the Beagle voyage, and other publications on geological topics. Author-date citations refer to entries in the Darwin Correspondence Project’s…
Matches: 10 hits
- … Darwin to the Geological Society of London, his books on the geology of the Beagle voyage, and …
- … and distribution of coral reefs. Being the first part of the geology of the voyage of the Beagle, …
- … of HMS Beagle, together with some brief notices on the geology of Australia and the Cape of Good …
- … observations on South America. Being the third part of the geology of the voyage of the Beagle, …
- … London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1846. [F273.] —On the geology of the Falkland Islands. …
- … [ Shorter publications , pp. 209-17. F1677.] —Geology. Section VI, pp. 156-95, in A …
- … for further reading… On Darwin’s work in geology: Herbert, Sandra. 2005. …
- … James A. 1991. The discovery of a vocation: Darwin’s early geology. British Journal for the …
- … of Science 9: 199–218. On the history of geology: Greene, Mott C. 1982. …
- … Laudan, Rachel. 1994 [1987]. From mineralogy to geology . Chicago: University of Chicago Press. …
Darwin in letters, 1847-1850: Microscopes and barnacles
Summary
Darwin's study of barnacles, begun in 1844, took him eight years to complete. The correspondence reveals how his interest in a species found during the Beagle voyage developed into an investigation of the comparative anatomy of other cirripedes and…
Matches: 8 hits
- … Hooker: ‘I hope this next summer to finish my S. American geology; then to get out a little zoology …
- … from these years and a series of interesting exchanges on geology with David Milne, Robert Chambers, …
- … through the mountains. Hooker writes of the complicated geology of the area, of the community of …
- … with which they had come to regard each other. Geology, and geological controversy …
- … Sir John Frederick William Herschel, to write the chapter on geology ( letter to J. F. W. Herschel, …
- … the zoological chapter, show how they divided the topics of geology and zoology between them. Owen …
- … contribute most to the leading questions of contemporary geology. Perhaps with himself in mind, he …
- … in the preparation of new editions of his Principles of geology and Manual of elementary …
Darwin in letters, 1837–1843: The London years to 'natural selection'
Summary
The seven-year period following Darwin's return to England from the Beagle voyage was one of extraordinary activity and productivity in which he became recognised as a naturalist of outstanding ability, as an author and editor, and as a professional…
Matches: 8 hits
- … on various subjects to major theoretical monographs in geology. In addition, he organised and …
- … and sold separately as Journal of researches into the geology and natural history of the various …
- … one of Darwin’s visits to Maer in Staffordshire. Geology Darwin’s work and …
- … an application of his Beagle work, and it too was in geology. In 1838 he set out on a geological …
- … of the Beagle voyage In addition to his work on geology Darwin undertook to provide a …
- … network that Darwin established as he worked on the geology and zoology of the voyage a most …
- … lately been sadly tempted to be idle, that is as far as pure geology is concerned, by the delightful …
- … these years was that it put an end to further field work in geology. From his South American days he …
The Lyell–Lubbock dispute
Summary
In May 1865 a dispute arose between John Lubbock and Charles Lyell when Lubbock, in his book Prehistoric times, accused Lyell of plagiarism. The dispute caused great dismay among many of their mutual scientific friends, some of whom took immediate action…
Matches: 4 hits
- … Lyell had begun work on a sixth edition of Elements of geology (C. Lyell 1865). At the same time …
- … book had been completed and set in type for Elements of geology in 1860 and then re-set in 1861 …
- … in 1860 for the sixth edition of the ‘ Elements of geology ’ 34 [C. Lyell 1865], and the …
- … , pp. lx–lxxv. Lyell, Charles. 1865. Elements of geology, or the ancient changes of the …
Commentary
Summary
This section provides pages of commentary on the following themes: Evolution Geology Life sciences Human nature Religion
Matches: 1 hits
- … on the following themes: Evolution Geology Life sciences …
Darwin & coral reefs
Summary
The central idea of Darwin's theory of coral reef formation, as it was later formulated, was that the islands were formed by the upward growth of coral as the Pacific Ocean floor gradually subsided. It overturned previous ideas and would in itself…
Darwin & the Geological Society
Summary
The science of geology in the early nineteenth century was a relatively new enterprise forged from the merging of several distinct traditions of inquiry, from mineralogy and the very practical business of mining, to theories of the earth’s origin and the…
Science, Work and Manliness
Summary
Discussion Questions|Letters In 1859, popular didactic writer William Landels published the first edition of what proved to be one of his best-selling works, How Men Are Made. "It is by work, work, work" he told his middle class audience, …
Darwin in letters, 1844–1846: Building a scientific network
Summary
The scientific results of the Beagle voyage still dominated Darwin's working life, but he broadened his continuing investigations into the nature and origin of species. Far from being a recluse, Darwin was at the heart of British scientific society,…
Matches: 3 hits
Darwin’s reading notebooks
Summary
In April 1838, Darwin began recording the titles of books he had read and the books he wished to read in Notebook C (Notebooks, pp. 319–28). In 1839, these lists were copied and continued in separate notebooks. The first of these reading notebooks (DAR 119…
Matches: 26 hits
- … Natural History, and Journal of Zoology, Botany, Mineralogy, Geology and Meteorology ] read …
- … [Lisyansky 1814]— nothing Lyell’s Elements of Geology [Lyell 1838] Gibbon’s Life of …
- … my subjects Elie de Beaumont’s 2 vol of memoirs on Geology of France [Dufrénoy and Élie de …
- … life of Johnsons [Boswell 1831] 4 vols 25 Phillips Geology [J. Phillips 1837–9] Lardners 2 …
- … need not try them again. 18 th . Maclarens Geology of Fife [Maclaren 1839] References at …
- … Natural History, and Journal of Zoology, Botany, Mineralogy, Geology and Meteorology ] 4. Vol. …
- … the Horse [W. C. L. Martin 1845b] —— Hitchock’s Geology of Mass: [Hitchcock 1841] (skimmed) …
- … [DAR 119: 22a] 1849. Feb 8 th . Geology of Russia by Murchison. Veneuil &c …
- … of the Creator [H. Miller 1849] Dec. 10. Dana’s Geology. U.S. Expedition [J. D. Dana 1849] …
- … Sanatory Reform [Anon. 1850].— April 5 Manual of Geology Lyell [Lyell 1851] —— 30 …
- … it. & buy it.— 112 Jukes. “Students Manual of Geology” [Jukes 1857]— published a few …
- … Insects [T. W. Harris 1842] Jukes Student Manual of Geology [Jukes 1857] Azara’s …
- … the years 1797 and 1798, including observations on the geology and geography, the natural …
- … Library.] 119: 2a Buckland, William. 1836. Geology and mineralogy considered with …
- … *119: 3v.; 119: 5a Dana, James Dwight. 1849. Geology . Vol. 10 of United States …
- … New Zealand; with contributions to the geography, geology, botany, and natural history …
- … their scientific institutions, and a few notices of the geology and mineralogy of those …
- … Survey of Great Britain, and of the Museum of Practical Geology in London 2, pt 2: 457–82. …
- … Survey of Great Britain, and of the Museum of Practical Geology in London 2, pt 2: 483–534. …
- … or, original memoirs in medicine, surgery, physiology, geology, zoology, and comparative anatomy …
- … 13a Hitchcock, Edward. 1841. Final report on the geology of Massachusetts . 2 vols. …
- … 119: 20a ——. 1857. The student’s manual of geology. Edinburgh. [Darwin Library.] *128 …
- … 119: 3a Lyell, Charles. 1837. Principles of geology: being an inquiry how far the …
- … Library.] 119: 3a ——. 1838. Elements of geology . London. [Darwin Library.] 119: 2a …
- … 119: 16a ——. 1847. Principles of geology; or, the modern changes of the earth and its …
- … 22a Lyell, Charles. 1851. A manual of elementary geology; or, the ancient changes of …
Living and fossil cirripedia
Summary
Darwin published four volumes on barnacles, the crustacean sub-class Cirripedia, between 1851 and 1854, two on living species and two on fossil species. Written for a specialist audience, they are among the most challenging and least read of Darwin’s works…
John Murray
Summary
Darwin's most famous book On the origin of species by means of natural selection (Origin) was published on 22 November 1859. The publisher was John Murray, who specialised in non-fiction, particularly politics, travel and science, and had published…
Matches: 5 hits
- … as head of the business in 1843, had spent a year studying geology at Edinburgh University; as a …
- … he asked his friend Charles Lyell, whose Principles of geology (1830-3) had proved to be a …
- … contributed a section on using a microscope and a chapter on geology to A manual of scientific …
- … his authors and added Origin to his list: but although geology was his favourite hobby and he …
- … pseudonym ‘Verifier’ an essay entitled Scepticism in Geology (1877), an argument against Lyell’s …
Darwin’s earthquakes
Summary
Darwin experienced his first earthquake in 1834, but it was a few months later that he was really confronted with their power. Travelling north along the coast of Chile, Darwin and Robert FitzRoy, captain of HMS Beagle, were confronted with a series of…
Matches: 1 hits
- … the low coral islands of the Pacific Ocean, and even the geology of Europe. In his Red Notebook …
Journal of researches
Summary
Within two months of the Beagle’s arrival back in England in October 1836, Darwin, although busy with distributing his specimens among specialists for description, and more interested in working on his geological research, turned his mind to the task of…
Matches: 5 hits
- … with the new title Journal of Researches into the geology and natural history of the various …
- … of animals will occupy a large portion, sketches of the geology, the appearance of the country, and …
- … where he set out his views on human migration and reconciled geology with the Biblical account. ‘You …
- … food as an egg ’; William Henry Fitton considered the geology to be ‘excellent’ while relishing the …
- … title Journal of researches into the natural history and geology of the countries visited during …
Darwin & Glen Roy
Summary
Although Darwin was best known for his geological work in South America and other remote Beagle destinations, he made one noteworthy attempt to explain a puzzling feature of British geology. In 1838, two years after returning from the voyage, he travelled…
Matches: 1 hits
- … noteworthy attempt to explain a puzzling feature of British geology. In 1838, two years after …
Darwin in letters, 1821-1836: Childhood to the Beagle voyage
Summary
Darwin's first known letters were written when he was twelve. They continue through school-days at Shrewsbury, two years as a medical student at Edinburgh University, the undergraduate years at Cambridge, and the of the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle.…
Matches: 3 hits
Charles Lyell
Summary
As an author, friend and correspondent, Charles Lyell played a crucial role in shaping Darwin's scientific life. Born to a wealthy gentry family in Scotland in 1797, Lyell had a classical and legal education but by the 1820s had become entranced by…