To John Murray 29 April [1859]
Summary
Will send first six chapters [of Origin] for the press. Sends data on size of MS and book. His "beau ideal" for type and size is Lyell’s Manual [of geology] 1st ed.
Important to his health to get the work printed quickly. Must leave home soon to stay for months at a water-cure establishment.
Asks printer to send a proof-sheet a day until he gets well ahead.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 29 Apr [1859] |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff.38–39) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2455 |
Matches: 4 hits
- … Bibliography Lyell, Charles. 1838. Elements of geology. London: John Murray. …
- … and Ebenezer Norman . CD refers to Charles Lyell’s Elements of geology ( C. Lyell …
- … which was retitled Manual of elementary geology for the third and subsequent editions ( …
- … for type and size is Lyell’s Manual [ of geology ] 1st ed. Important to his health to get …
To John Murray 24 February [1861]
Summary
If JM disapproves of inserting CD’s geological works on back of title-page [of Origin, 3d ed.], he should strike them out. CD cares little. Reminds him to insert "additions and corrections" in advertisements. Sends list for presentation copies.
Asks whether his Journal of researches has sold at all satisfactorily.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 24 Feb [1861] |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 f. 100) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3069 |
Matches: 5 hits
- … coral reefs. Being the first part of the geology of the voyage of the Beagle , under the …
- … together with some brief notices on the geology of Australia and the Cape of Good Hope. …
- … Being the second part of the geology of the voyage of the Beagle, under the command of …
- … of researches : Journal of researches into the geology and natural history of the various …
- … South America. Being the third part of the geology of the voyage of the Beagle, under the …
To John Murray 7 June [1849]
Summary
CD’s vexation at the serious printer’s error in his "Geology" [Collected papers 1: 227–50].
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 7 June [1849] |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42153 ff.14–15) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1244 |
To John Murray [27 July 1845]
Summary
Sent last sheet [of second part of Journal of researches] to printer yesterday. Will send half of MS for next part in four or five days.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | [27 July 1845] |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff.15–16) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-896 |
Matches: 4 hits
- … researches into the natural history and geology of the countries visited during the voyage …
- … has a woodcut (No 229, p 395 Elements of Geology) & he desires me to say, that he is quite …
- … of researches : Journal of researches into the geology and natural history of the various …
- … Henry Colburn. 1839. Lyell, Charles. 1838. Elements of geology. London: John Murray. …
To John Murray 15 January [1867]
Summary
Approves of type [for Variation]. Pleased to hear from Hooker that he is not surprised that MS is big.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 15 Jan [1867] |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 f. 161) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5363 |
To John Murray 27 August [1845]
Summary
Has finished MS for second edition of Journal of researches. Instructs JM regarding author’s copies, and woodcuts; asks to be informed if volume sells well.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 27 Aug [1845] |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42153 ff.8–9) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-908 |
To John Murray [31 May 1845]
Summary
Will send MS of first part [of Journal of researches] on Thursday morning, enclosing suggested title and dedication. Urges inclusion of map. Requests another £50 for copyright, as offer of £100 was made when only two parts were planned.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | [31 May 1845] |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff.24–25) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-872 |
To John Murray 27 January [1872]
Summary
Has corrected last page of index of Origin [6th ed.]. Sends instructions.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 27 Jan [1872] |
| Classmark: | DAR 143: 283 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-8187 |
To John Murray 3 January [1867]
Summary
Sorry about enormous size of Variation MS, but cannot shorten it now. If JM is afraid to publish, CD will consider agreement cancelled. Suggests he ask someone with judgment to read the MS. Has written concluding chapter on man. Whether it will be included depends on size of volume.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 3 Jan [1867] |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff. 158–160) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5346 |
To John Murray 12 April 1874
Summary
Discusses 2d edition of Descent. CD is inclined to a cheap edition and asks JM to consider a one-volume edition in double-column format.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 12 Apr 1874 |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms. 42152 ff. 348–9) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9404 |
To John Murray 4 February [1860]
Summary
Final arrangements for new edition of Journal of researches [1860]. Wants one copy to give to P. L. Sclater, who has aided him.
Asks that copy of Origin be sent immediately to Schweizerbart for German translation.
Asa Gray is going to bring out an edition of Origin.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 4 Feb [1860] |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff.84–85) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2686 |
To John Murray 17 March [1845]
Summary
CD has heard from Lyell that JM is inclined to publish a second edition of Journal of researches. His agreement with Henry Colburn leaves CD free to publish with anyone. Will have no further relations with Colburn. Discusses details of proposed revisions.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 17 Mar [1845] |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff.354–355) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-841 |
To John Murray 12 June [1849]
Summary
Appreciates what Murray and the printer are doing to rectify the error [transposition of pages of text in "Geology"]. But if the responsible person will be fined heavily, CD would want to "make some present".
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 12 June [1849] |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42153 ff.16–17) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1245 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … error [transposition of pages of text in "Geology"]. But if the responsible person will be …
To John Murray [1–3 February 1869]
Summary
Asks JM to grant permission for a French translation of his "Naturalist’s voyage" [Journal of researches].
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | [1–3 Feb 1869] |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms. 42152 ff. 192–193) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6596 |
To John Murray [25 January 1860]
Summary
CD asks how soon JM will go to press with Journal [of researches]; thinks he had better look it over to see if progress of science has made any correction necessary.
P.S. Asa Gray has written that Origin has caused great excitement in U. S. Agassiz has denounced it.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | [25 Jan 1860] |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff.64–67) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2632 |
To John Murray 31 March [1859]
Summary
CD has heard from Lyell that JM is inclined to publish his work on the origin of species. Will send some chapters as soon as copyist has finished. Sends list of 12 chapters. It will be a popular abstract of more than 20 years’ work. It ought to be popular with scientific and semi-scientific readers.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 31 Mar [1859] |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42153 ff.12–13) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2441 |
To John Murray 10 May [1859]
Summary
Sends first six chapters [of Origin] for the press. Asks JM to urge printer to keep well ahead of CD so as not to waste time. This is important for his health’s sake.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 10 May [1859] |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42153 ff.56–57) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2460 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … researches into the natural history and geology of the countries visited during the voyage …
To John Murray 17 [April 1845]
Summary
Pleased to hear that Colburn has behaved more liberally than CD anticipated. Three numbers of the Colonial Library, each of 171 pages, will hold his Journal of researches. Accepts financial arrangements for its publication offered by JM.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 17 [Apr 1845] |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff.23–23A) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-857 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … researches into the natural history and geology of the countries visited during the voyage …
To John Murray 2 September [1845]
Summary
Encloses signed receipt for promissory note for £150 from John Murray. Hopes to have pleasure of meeting him soon. Is particularly obliged for promise of information on success of volume.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 2 Sept [1845] |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42153 ff.1–2) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-911 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … of my Journal on Natural History & Geology during the Voyage of HM.S. Beagle round the …
To John Murray 18 May [1860]
Summary
Thanks for six copies of Journal of researches [1860 ed.].
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 18 May [1860] |
| Classmark: | Dunedin Public Library (Reed collection) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2810 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … of researches : Journal of researches into the geology and natural history of the various …
| letter | (43) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (42) |
| Elwin, Whitwell | (1) |
| Murray, John (b) | (43) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (42) |
| Elwin, Whitwell | (1) |
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…
