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Darwin in letters, 1874: A turbulent year

Summary

The year 1874 was one of consolidation, reflection, and turmoil for Darwin. He spent the early months working on second editions of Coral reefs and Descent of man; the rest of the year was mostly devoted to further research on insectivorous plants. A…

Matches: 18 hits

… The year 1874 was one of consolidation, reflection, and turmoil for Darwin. He spent the early …
… dispute over an anonymous review that attacked the work of Darwin’s son George dominated the second …
… and traveller Alexander von Humboldt’s 105th birthday, Darwin obliged with a reflection on his debt …
… during prolonged intervals’ ( letter to D. T. Gardner, [ c . 27 August 1874 ] ). The death of a …
… and collecting beetles ( letter from W. D. Fox, 8 May [1874 ] ). Such reminiscences led Darwin to …
… much more than forwards’ ( letter to W. D. Fox, 11 May [1874 ] ). I feel very old &amp …
… Andrew Clark, whom he had been consulting since August 1873. Darwin had originally thought that …
… old & helpless’ ( letter to B. J. Sulivan, 6 January [1874 ] ). Darwin mentioned his poor …
… on the matter ( letter from Ernst Haeckel, 26 October 1874 ). Séances, psychics, and …
… by George Henry Lewes and Marian Evans (George Eliot), but Darwin excused himself, finding it too …
… Joseph Dalton Hooker ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 18 January [1874 ] ). Later in the month, …
… Descent was published in November 1874 ( letter from R. F. Cooke, 12 November 1874 ). Though …
… on subsequent print runs would be very good ( letter from R. F. Cooke, 12 November 1874 ). …
… in a few hours dissolve the hardest cartilage, bone & meat &c. &c.’ ( letter to W. D. …
… whether at the ‘close of the putrefaction of flesh, skin &c, any substance is produced before …
… details of an Australian variety of sundew ( letter from T. C. Copland, 23 June 1874 ). …
… Sharpe for promotion at the British Museum ( letter to R. B. Sharpe, 24 November [1874 ] ). He …
… head that M r Spencer’s terms of equilibration &c always bother me & make everything less …

Women’s scientific participation

Summary

Observers | Fieldwork | Experimentation | Editors and critics | Assistants Darwin’s correspondence helps bring to light a community of women who participated, often actively and routinely, in the nineteenth-century scientific community. Here is a…

Matches: 22 hits

… | Editors and critics | Assistants Darwin’s correspondence helps bring to light a …
… community. Here is a selection of letters exchanged between Darwin and his workforce of women …
… Women: Letter 1194 - Darwin to Whitby, M. A. T., [12 August 1849] Darwin …
… peculiarities in inheritance. Letter 3787 - Darwin, H. E. to Darwin, [29 October …
… in her garden. Letter 4523 - Wedgwood, L. C. to Darwin, [6 June 1864] …
… Egypt. Letter 7223 - Darwin to Wedgwood, L. C., [8 June 1867 - 72] Darwin …
… Henrietta. Letter 7179 - Wedgwood, L. C. to Darwin, [5 May 1870] …
… 9426 - Story-Maskelyne , T. M. to Darwin, [23 April 1874 ] Thereza Story-Maskelyne …
… Letter 9616 - Marshall, T. to Darwin, [September 1874 ] Theodosia Marshall sends …
… the wallpaper. Letter 5756 - Langton, E. & C. to Wedgwood S. E., [after 9 …
… Letter 1701 - Morris, M. H. to Prior, R. C. A., [17 June 1855] Margaretta Hare Morris …
… in Llandudno. Letter 4823 - Wedgwood, L. C. to Darwin, H. E., [May 1865] …
… Letter 8144 - Darwin to Wedgwood, L. C., [5 January 1872] Darwin asks his niece, …
… Lychnis diurna. Letter 8168 - Ruck, A. R . to Darwin, H., [20 January 1872] …
… lawn. Letter 8224 - Darwin to Ruck, A. R., [24 February 1872] Darwin …
… Letter 9606 - Harrison, L. C. to Darwin, [22 August 1874 ] Darwin’s niece, Lucy, …
… Letter 9616 - Marshall, T. to Darwin, [September 1874 ] Theodosia Marshall details …
… Letter 1701 - Morris, M. H. to Prior, R. C. A., [17 June 1855] Margaretta Hare Morris …
… Letter 9485 - Treat, M. to Darwin, [8 June 1874 ] Mary Treat details her experiments …
… garden ”. Letter 6083 - Casparay, J. X. R. to Darwin, [2 April 1868] …
… the future. Letter 4038 - Darwin to Lyell, C., [12-13 March 1863] Darwin …
… Letter 7858 - Darwin to Wa llace, A. R., [12 July 1871] Darwin tells Wallace that …

Dramatisation script

Summary

Re: Design – Adaptation of the Correspondence of Charles Darwin, Asa Gray and others… by Craig Baxter – as performed 25 March 2007

Matches: 22 hits

… Re: Design – Adaptation of the Correspondence of Charles Darwin, Asa Gray and others… by Craig …
… as the creator of this dramatisation, and that of the Darwin Correspondence Project to be identified …
… correspondence or published writings of Asa Gray, Charles Darwin, Joseph Dalton Hooker, Jane Loring …
… Actor 1 – Asa Gray Actor 2 – Charles Darwin Actor 3 – In the dress of a modern day …
… Agassiz, Adam Sedgwick, A Friend of John Stuart Mill, Emma Darwin, Horace Darwin… and acts as a sort …
… the play unfolds and acting as a go-between between Gray and Darwin, and between the audience and …
… this, he sends out copies of his Review of the Life of Darwin. At this time in his life, Asa …
… friends in England, copies of his ‘Review of the Life of Darwin’… pencilling the address so that it …
… Joseph D Hooker GRAY: 3 Charles Darwin… made his home on the border of the little …
… are kept in check by a constitutional weakness. DARWIN: A plain but comfortable brick …
… by every blessing except that of vigorous health… DARWIN: 4 My confounded stomach …
… pursuits and the simplicity of his character. DARWIN: 5 I am allowed to work now …
… own house, where he was the most charming of hosts. DARWIN: 6 My life goes on …
… being a part of [an unpublished] manuscript. Darwin settles down to write. His tone is …
… THE CONCURRENCE OF BOTANISTS: 1855 In which Darwin initiates a long-running correspondence …
… gossip about difficult colleagues (Agassiz). Gray realizes Darwin is not revealing all of his …
… man, more formally attired and lighter on his feet than Darwin. He has many more demands on his time …
… catches his attention. He opens the letter. DARWIN: 8 April 25 th 1855. My …
… filled up the paper you sent me as well as I could. DARWIN: 10 My dear Dr Gray. I …
… paragraph, in which I quote and differ from you[r] 178 doctrine that each variation has been …
… ARTS AND SCIENCES, PROCEEDINGS XVII, 1882 4 C DARWIN TO JD HOOKER 10 MAY 1848 …
… A GRAY 3 AUGUST 1871 201 TO A GRAY 3 JUNE [1874 ] 202 FROM A GRAY 16 …

Women as a scientific audience

Summary

Target audience? | Female readership | Reading Variation Darwin's letters, in particular those exchanged with his editors and publisher, reveal a lot about his intended audience. Regardless of whether or not women were deliberately targeted as a…

Matches: 7 hits

… Female readership | Reading Variation Darwin's letters, in particular those …
… a broad variety of women had access to, and engaged with, Darwin's published works. A set of …
… women a target audience? Letter 2447 - Darwin to Murray, J., [5 April 1859] …
… that his views are original and will appeal to the public. Darwin asks Murray to forward the …
… and criticisms of style. Letter 2461 - Darwin to Hooker, J. D., [11 May 1859] …
… typically-male readers. Letter 7124 - Darwin to Darwin, H. E., [8 February 1870] …
… 9633 - Nevill, D. F. to Darwin, [11 September 1874] Dorothy Nevill tells Darwin …

Animals, ethics, and the progress of science

Summary

Darwin’s view on the kinship between humans and animals had important ethical implications. In Descent, he argued that some animals exhibited moral behaviour and had evolved mental powers analogous to conscience. He gave examples of cooperation, even…

Matches: 22 hits

… Darwin’s view on the kinship between humans and animals had important ethical …
… a live worm on a hook (‘Recollections’, pp. 358, 388). Darwin’s concern for animals aligned with …
… and an integral part of medical and veterinary training. Darwin was clearly disturbed by the …
… about it, else I shall not sleep to-night’ ( letter to E. R. Lankester, 22 March [1871] ). In …
… to the last hour of his life’ ( Descent 1: 40). Darwin’s closest encounter with …
… on rabbits. The investigation was partly aimed at testing Darwin’s ‘hypothesis of pangenesis’, which …
… of different breeds together. Galton reported regularly to Darwin on the results (all negative). He …
… Society, calling into question the theory of pangenesis. Darwin was taken aback, and swiftly replied …
… no longer look after the rabbits (many died from the cold), Darwin offered to give the poor …
… more influenced by experiments on animals than on plants’, Darwin conceded. ‘I think a large number …
… ( letter to G. J. Romanes, 18 July 1875 ). Darwin was concerned that the method be painless, …
… can be chloroformed (letter to G. J. Romanes, 27 December 1874 ). In the previous sections …
… were analogous to those performed on dogs and other animals. Darwin’s work on insectivorous plants …
… an acquaintance of the Darwins, and had corresponded with Darwin cordially about his moral theory, …
… ( letter to F. B. Cobbe, [14 January 1875] ). Darwin’s involvement in the vivisection …
… of which we can now see the bearings in regard to health &c, I look at as puerile. Darwin …
… with costly equipment, a supply of animals, etc.. Darwin was concerned that ‘private men’ would be …
… ( letter to H. E. Litchfield, 4 January [1875] ) Darwin worked closely with Burdon …
… the total abolition of the practice. ‘It seems to me’, Darwin remarked to George Romanes, ‘that …
… organised defence. To bring more solidarity to the field, Darwin’s son Francis, and a number of his …
… ( letter from T. L. Brunton, 12 February 1882 ). Darwin declined the offer to be honorary …
… had its first meeting on 20 April 1882, the day after Darwin’s death. While Darwin was …

Cross and self fertilisation

Summary

The effects of cross and self fertilisation in the vegetable kingdom, published on 10 November 1876, was the result of a decade-long project to provide evidence for Darwin’s belief that ‘‘Nature thus tells us, in the most emphatic manner, that she abhors…

Matches: 29 hits

… the result of a decade-long project to provide evidence for Darwin’s belief that ‘‘Nature thus tells …
… on plants with two or three different forms of flowers, Darwin had focused on the anatomical and …
… of different forms of pollen. Although many plants that Darwin observed had flowers with adaptations …
… rates, growth, and constitutional vigour. Although Darwin was no stranger to long months and years …
… … is highly remarkable’ In September 1866, Darwin announced to the American botanist …
… several years ( To Édouard Bornet, 1 December 1866 ). Darwin began a series of experiments, …
… ). It was only after a new season of experiments that Darwin would confirm that this poppy shed its …
… access to flowers was only the tip of the iceberg. Darwin next focused on the California …
… conditions’ ( From Fritz Müller, 1 December 1866 ). Darwin’s interest was piqued and he described …
… when self-fertilised, although fewer than crossed plants. Darwin sent some of these seeds to Müller, …
… [1868] ). Müller, in turn, sent seeds from his plants to Darwin and both men continued to …
… Müller remarked, on receiving a new batch of seeds from Darwin, ‘that it was ‘curious to see, on …
… ( From Fritz Müller, 15 June 1869 ). By May 1870, Darwin reported that he was ‘rearing crossed …
… From a fairly early stage in his experimental programme, Darwin began to pay more attention to the …
… seeds of Ipomœa. I remember saying the contrary to you & M r Smith at Kew. But the result is …
… the sweet pea ( Lathyrus odoratus ), and in October 1867, Darwin wrote to James Moggridge to ask …
… of the year ( To J. T. Moggridge, 1 October [1867] ). Darwin was beginning to suspect that the …
… simply did not exist in Britain. During a visit to Darwin in May 1866, Robert Caspary, a …
… by the former ( From Robert Caspary, 18 February 1868 ). Darwin eagerly requested seed from both …
… was published on 30 January 1868. In April 1868, Darwin informed George Bentham, ‘I am …
… to elongate when the pollen touches the stigmatic surface. Darwin was able to discern that …
… plant sexual relations, Müller, who sent the publication to Darwin, reported that he was surprised …
… the fertility of the offspring (F. Müller 1868b, p. 629). Darwin urged further experimentation. ‘I …
… the Abutilon sterile with some individuals is remarkable’, Darwin replied, adding that he had sown …
… I am already plagued by foreign Translators, Reviewers, &c.’ ( To John Murray, 4 May [1873] ). …
… ( To Fritz Müller, 25 September 1873 ). But by March 1874 , some doubts seemed to have arisen when …
… with new & related matter. ( To J. V. Carus, 19 March [1874 ] ). A year later, Darwin still …
… the set of all my works, I would suggest 1,500’ ( To R. F. Cooke, 16 September 1876 ). In the …
… of hybrids, has not yet been produced’ ( From A. R. Wallace, 13 December 1876 ). No reply to this …

Darwin in letters, 1876: In the midst of life

Summary

1876 was the year in which the Darwins became grandparents for the first time. And tragically lost their daughter-in-law, Amy, who died just days after her son's birth. All the letters from 1876 are now published in volume 24 of The Correspondence…

Matches: 24 hits

… The year 1876 started out sedately enough with Darwin working on the first draft of his book on the …
… games. ‘I have won, hurrah, hurrah, 2795 games’, Darwin boasted; ‘my wife … poor creature, has won …
… regarding the ailments that were so much a feature of Darwin family life. But the calm was not to …
… four days later. ‘I cannot bear to think of the future’, Darwin confessed to William on 11 …
… once, the labour of checking proofs proved a blessing, as Darwin sought solace for the loss of his …
… and his baby son Bernard now part of the household, and Darwin recasting his work on dimorphic and …
… had involved much time and effort the previous year, and Darwin clearly wanted to focus his …
… of the second edition of Climbing plants ( letter from R. F. Cooke, 23 February 1876 ). When …
… single-volume edition titled Geological observations , Darwin resisted making any revisions at …
… volume, Coral reefs , already in its second edition. Darwin was nevertheless ‘firmly resolved not …
… meticulous correction of errors in the German editions made Darwin less anxious about correcting the …
… to Carus. ( Letter to J. V. Carus, 24 April 1876. ) Darwin focused instead on the second …
… concentrated on the ‘means of crossing’, was seen by Darwin as the companion to Cross and self …
… return to old work than part of the future work outlined by Darwin in his ‘little Autobiography’ ( …
… holiday after finishing Cross and self fertilisation , Darwin took up the suggestion made by a …
… for his family only. Writing for an hour every afternoon, Darwin finished his account on 3 August …
… dimittis.”’ (‘Recollections’, pp. 418–19). Darwin remained firm in his resolution to …
… ever return to the consideration of man.’ In particular, Darwin seemed eager to avoid issues that …
… effected by his forthcoming pamphlet, Darwin confounded (C. O’Shaughnessy 1876), which, he …
… and who had succeeded in giving him pain ( letter to A. R. Wallace, 17 June 1876 ). Although …
… Mivart made a slanderous attack on George Darwin in late 1874 in an anonymous article, which …
… year’s experiments’ ( letter from G. J. Romanes, [ c . 19 March 1876] ). A less welcome reaction …
… because of a ‘long and terrible illness’ ( letter to C. S. Wedgwood, 20 April 1876 ). By the time …
… in harmony with yours’ ( letter from George Henslow, [ c. 7 December 1876] ). A more typical …

Darwin in letters, 1882: Nothing too great or too small

Summary

In 1882, Darwin reached his 74th year Earthworms had been published the previous October, and for the first time in decades he was not working on another book. He remained active in botanical research, however. Building on his recent studies in plant…

Matches: 26 hits

… In 1882, Darwin reached his 74th year Earthworms had been published the previous …
… for scientific colleagues or their widows facing hardship. Darwin had suffered from poor health …
… of his scientific friends quickly organised a campaign for Darwin to have greater public recognition …
… Botanical observation and experiment had long been Darwin’s greatest scientific pleasure. The year …
… to Fritz Müller, 4 January 1882 ). These were topics that Darwin had been investigating for years, …
… working at the effects of Carbonate of Ammonia on roots,’ Darwin wrote, ‘the chief result being that …
… contents, if immersed for some hours in a weak solution of C. of Ammonia’. Darwin’s interest in root …
… London on 6 and 16 March, respectively. In January, Darwin corresponded with George John …
… letter from Arthur de Souza Corrêa, 28 December 1881 ). Darwin had a long-running interest in such …
… experiments had been conducted to lend support to Darwin’s theory of pangenesis (see …
… He was eager to write up the results on Brazilian cane, with Darwin providing a detailed outline: ‘I …
… at the Linnean Society on 4 May, but not published. Darwin carried on with botanical work in …
… which are asymmetric, thus facilitating cross-fertilisation. Darwin’s aim, he said, was just to …
… 3 April 1882 ). Earthworms and evolution Darwin’s last book, Earthworms , had been …
… Appendix V). The conservative Quarterly Review , owned by Darwin’s publisher John Murray, carried …
… themselves’ ( Quarterly Review , January 1882, p. 179). Darwin commented at length on the review …
… is a young man & a worker in any branch of Biology,’ Darwin continued, ‘he will assuredly sooner …
… and professor of ecclesiastical history Henry Wace. Darwin was confident that the theory of …
… James Frederick Simpson, a musical composer, had provided Darwin with observations on worm behaviour …
… our homes, would in this case greatly suffer’ ( letter to C. A. Kennard, 9 January 1882 ). Kennard …
… judged, intellectually his inferior, please ( letter from C. A. Kennard, 28 January 1882 ). …
… dull aching in the chest’ (Emma Darwin to G. H. Darwin, [ c . 28 March 1882] (DAR 210.3: 45)). …
… to some Estancia,’ wrote Hughes, ‘as the scenery &c. will amply repay your trouble’ ( letter …
… where he had witnessed an earthquake in 1835 ( letter from R. E. Alison, [March–July 1835 ]). …
… will be months before I am able to work’ ( letter to A. R. Wallace, [ c . 10 April 1864] ). To …
… father confessor. ( Letter from Charles Lyell, 1 September 1874 .) Darwin’s fame continued …

Darwin in letters, 1878: Movement and sleep

Summary

In 1878, Darwin devoted most of his attention to the movements of plants. He investigated the growth pattern of roots and shoots, studying the function of specific organs in this process. Working closely with his son Francis, Darwin devised a series of…

Matches: 30 hits

… lessen injury to leaves from radiation In 1878, Darwin devoted most of his attention to …
… in this process. Working closely with his son Francis, Darwin devised a series of experiments to …
… plant laboratories in Europe. While Francis was away, Darwin delighted in his role as …
… from botanical research was provided by potatoes, as Darwin took up the cause of an Irish …
… would rid Ireland of famine. Several correspondents pressed Darwin for his views on religion, …
… closed with remarkable news of a large legacy bequeathed to Darwin by a stranger as a reward for his …
… birthday ( letter to Ernst Haeckel, 12 February [1878] ), Darwin reflected that it was ‘more …
… Expression ), and the final revision of Origin (1872), Darwin had turned almost exclusively to …
… Movement in plants In the spring of 1878, Darwin started to focus on the first shoots and …
… were enrolled as researchers, as were family members. Darwin asked his niece Sophy to observe …
… ( letter to Sophy Wedgwood, 24 March [1878–80] ). While Darwin was studying the function of …
… on one side, then another, to produce movement in the stalk. Darwin compared adult and young leaves …
… after growth has ceased or nearly ceased.’ Finally, Darwin turned to plant motion below the …
… precision the lines of least resistance in the ground.’ Darwin would devote a whole chapter to the …
… that he missed sensitiveness of apex’ ( letter to Francis Darwin, [11 May 1878] ). Having …
… moisture, and various chemical and nutritive substances, Darwin next considered sound. He explained …
… instrument to various plants. To confirm the results, Darwin borrowed a siren from Tyndall, who had …
… ill-luck to them, are not sensitive to aerial vibrations’, Darwin complained. ‘I am ashamed at my …
… 8 August. ‘Alas Frank is off tomorrow to Wurzburg,’ Darwin wrote to Thiselton-Dyer on 2 June , ‘ …
… Thiselton-Dyer, 18 June [1878] ). While Francis was away, Darwin sent regular reports about their …
… to, about my work, I scribble to you ( letter to Francis Darwin, 7 [July 1878] ). Two weeks later …
… not having you to discuss it with’ ( letter to Francis Darwin, 20 [July 1878] ). It is …
… had chlorophyll, Francis reported ( letter from Francis Darwin, [after 7 July 1878] ): ‘The oats …
… we must have’, Francis wrote ( letter from Francis Darwin, [before 17 July 1878] ), ‘a strong …
… me to jump to conclusions rather’ ( letter from Francis Darwin, [before 3 August 1878] ). One day …
… Record”’ ( letter from Edmund Mojsisovics von Mojsvár, 28 April 1878 ). ‘What a wonderful change …
… opponent’ ( Correspondence vol. 24, letter to T. C. Eyton, 22 April 1876 ). ‘When I first read …
… and an earlier effort to promote his scheme at the 1874 meeting of the British Association in …
… secretary, Robert Arthur Talbot Gascoyne-Cecil ( letter to R. A. T. Gascoyne-Cecil, 18 May 1878 ). …
… to natural science & aids me in my work; a 4th son is in the R. Engineers & is getting on …

Moral Nature

Summary

In Descent of Man, Darwin argued that human morality had evolved from the social instincts of animals, especially the bonds of sympathy and love. Darwin gathered observations over many decades on animal behavior: the heroic sacrifices of social insects,…

Matches: 12 hits

… | Selected Readings In Descent of Man , Darwin argued that human morality had …
… (Barrett et al. eds. 1987, p. 619) Darwin gathered observations over many decades on …
… Though rooted in instinctive sympathy, moral behavior for Darwin was not purely automatic or …
… the social instincts that humans shared with animals. Darwin's moral theory was the most …
… obligation, compassion, guilt, and the pangs of conscience. Darwin's theory was condemned by …
… female members of their hive in order to protect the queen. Darwin engaged with his critics in …
… of ideas, rather than as evolving from animal instinct. Darwin got clarification on this point from …
… Descent of Man in the Pall Mall Gazette (Morley 1871). Darwin admired the review, and …
… from generation to generation." Letter 7685 : Darwin to Morley, John, 14 April …
… at a time when Paris is aflame". Letter 7145 : Darwin to Cobbe, F. P. 23 March …
… that he read Immanuel Kant's Metaphysics of ethics . Darwin thanked her for the book, which …
… 2007. Darwin (London: Routledge), ch. 6 Richards, R. J. 1987. Darwin the development of …

Darwin in letters, 1872: Job done?

Summary

'My career’, Darwin wrote towards the end of 1872, 'is so nearly closed. . . What little more I can do, shall be chiefly new work’, and the tenor of his correspondence throughout the year is one of wistful reminiscence, coupled with a keen eye…

Matches: 28 hits

… ‘My career’, Darwin wrote towards the end of 1872, ‘is so nearly closed. . . What little …
… of On the origin of species , intended to be Darwin’s last, and of Expression of the …
… books brought a strong if deceptive sense of a job now done: Darwin intended, he declared to Alfred …
… on 'so difficult a subject, as evolution’ ( letter to A. R. Wallace, 27 July [1872] ). …
… of books and papers, and the latter formed the subject of Darwin’s last book, The formation of …
… worms , published in the year before his death. Despite Darwin’s declared intention to take up new …
… begun many years before. In his private life also, Darwin was in a nostalgic frame of mind, …
… The last word on Origin The year opened with Darwin, helped by his eldest son William, …
… on 30 January , shortly after correcting the proofs, and Darwin’s concern for the consolidation of …
… and sixth editions were costly to incorporate, and despite Darwin’s best efforts, set the final …
… remained unpublished at the end of the year ( letter from C.-F. Reinwald, 23 November 1872 ). …
… to bring out the new edition in the United States, Darwin arranged with Murray to have it …
… had to be reset. The investment in stereotype reinforced Darwin’s intention to make no further …
… A worsening breach The criticisms against which Darwin had taken the greatest trouble to …
… objections to the theory of natural selection’, Darwin refuted point by point assertions published …
… Whale & duck most beautiful’ ( letter from A. R. Wallace, 3 March 1872 ). I …
… Although Mivart was among those who wrote in January to wish Darwin a happy new year, before the …
… `chiefly perhaps because I do it badly’ ( letter to A. R. Wallace, 3 August [1872] ). …
… from his ignorance, he feels no doubts’ ( letter to F. C. Donders, 17 June 1872 ). Right up to the …
… Charlton Bastian’s recent book on the origin of life (H. C. Bastian 1872; Wallace 1872d) left him …
… & new views which are daily turning up’ ( letter to A. R. Wallace, 28 August [1872] ). …
… Lord Sackville Cecil, to attend a séance ( letter from M. C. Stanley, 4 June 1872 ). There was …
… you agreed to let them have it for love!!!’ ( letter from R. F. Cooke, 1 August 1872 ). It …
… & have not taken care of ourselves’ ( letter from R. F. Cooke, 20 November 1872 ). A …
… gift, although he doubted he would ever use it ( letter to C. L. Dodgson, 10 December 1872 ). …
… try `with straight blunt knitting needle’ ( letter to L. C. Wedgwood, 5 January [1872] ) to …
… Ruck, the sister of an old schoolfriend; he married Amy in 1874 . Francis, still a medical student …
… to which any scientific man can look’ ( letter to F. C. Donders, 29 April [1872] ). …

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: 25 hits

… In April 1838, Darwin began recording the titles of books he had read and the books he wished to …
… (DAR 119) opens with five pages of text copied from Notebook C and carries on through 1851; the …
… used these notebooks extensively in dating and annotating Darwin’s letters; the full transcript …
… *128). For clarity, the transcript does not record Darwin’s alterations. The spelling and …
… book had been consulted. Those cases where it appears that Darwin made a genuine deletion have been …
… a few instances, primarily in the ‘Books Read’ sections, Darwin recorded that a work had been …
… of the books listed in the other two notebooks. Sometimes Darwin recorded that an abstract of the …
… own. Soon after beginning his first reading notebook, Darwin began to separate the scientific …
… the second reading notebook. Readers primarily interested in Darwin’s scientific reading, therefore, …
… editors’ identification of the book or article to which Darwin refers. A full list of these works is …
… page number (or numbers, as the case may be) on which Darwin’s entry is to be found. The …
… to be Read [DAR *119: Inside Front Cover] C. Darwin June 1 st . 1838 …
… [DAR *119: 2v.] White’s regular gradation in man [C. White 1799] Lindley’s …
… 8 vo p 181 [Latreille 1819]. see p. 17 Note Book C. for reference to authors about E. Indian …
… in brutes Blackwood June 1838 [J. F. Ferrie 1838]. H. C. Watson on Geog. distrib: of Brit: …
… Wiegman has pub. German pamphlet on crossing oats &c [Wiegmann 1828] Horticultural …
… in Library of Hort. Soc. [DAR *119:5v.] M c .Neil 16 has written good article …
… on the Dog with illustrations of about 100 varieties [?C. H. Smith 1839–40] 24 Flourens …
… [Lindley 1840]— Chapter on Races improvement of &c &c important I should think …
… [Fellows 1839] Catherine 48 Life of Collins R.A. [Collins 1848] Phases of Faith …
… design . (Bridgewater Treatise no. 4.) London. [9th ed. (1874 ) in Darwin Library.] 119: 5a …
… 1848. Memoirs of the life of William Collins, Esq., R.A. 2 vols. London. *119: 23; 119: …
… by Richard Owen. Vol. 4 of The works of John Hunter, F.R.S. with notes . Edited by James F. …
… Robert. 1843. Memoirs of the life of John Constable, R.A., composed chiefly of his letters. …
… Peacock, George. 1855. Life of Thomas Young, M.D., F.R.S. London. *128: 172; 128: 21 …

Movement in Plants

Summary

The power of movement in plants, published on 7 November 1880, was the final large botanical work that Darwin wrote. It was the only work in which the assistance of one of his children, Francis Darwin, is mentioned on the title page. The research for this…

Matches: 26 hits

… 7 November 1880, was the final large botanical work that Darwin wrote. It was the only work in which …
… about their research while he was away from home. Although Darwin lacked a state of the art research …
… the advantages of both while Francis was working abroad. Darwin was privy to the inner workings of …
… methods and use the most advanced laboratory equipment. Darwin also benefitted from the instrument …
… that Francis had been introduced to at Würzburg. Darwin described his experimental practice …
… plant physiology, but it was at its core informed by Darwin’s theory of evolution, particularly by …
… early 1860s, at a time when his health was especially bad, Darwin had taken up the study of climbing …
… reproduced as a small book, giving it a much wider audience. Darwin was not the first naturalist to …
… which eventually appeared in 1875. In the same year, Darwin published a much longer work, …
… about the nature of movement, so much so, that at one point Darwin had considered combining the …
… digestive processes. With his final great botanical work, Darwin would attempt ‘ to bring all the …
… emotions had their origins in non-human animal expression. Darwin had not done experimental work in …
… viewed the division between animals and plants as absolute, Darwin was interested in similarities. …
… become adapted to perform new functions, like climbing? For Darwin, physiology was a way of seeing …
… attracting students from all over Europe and beyond. When Darwin’s son Francis worked in this …
… ‘Mad about drops of water’ Darwin’s interest in the diversified movements of …
… connection is revealed only though correspondence because Darwin never published on bloom. In August …
… focusing light rays, and burn sections of the leaf blade. Darwin asked whether Farrer’s gardener had …
… between 45 o & 90 o to the horizon ’. By May 1874 , Thiselton-Dyer had observed some …
… ‘ Frank & I are working very hard on bloom & sleep &c.; but I am horribly afraid all …
… that exhibited all three types of movement ( letter from R. I. Lynch, [before 28 July 1877] ). ‘ …
… to learn about cutting thin sections of soft leaves &c.— Lastly the instrument for making marks …
… the curious mode of germination ’ and concluded, ‘ M r Rattan seems to be a real good observer, …
… or ‘The Nature of the Movements of Plants’ ( letter to R. F. Cooke, 23 April [1880] ). Cooke …
… was willing to publish on the usual terms ( letter from R. F. Cooke, 15 July 1880 ). This was also …
… pay more for at the usual rate of charging per inch &c they w d . be over £40’; he suggested …

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: 12 hits

… This list includes papers read by Darwin to the Geological Society of London, his books on the …
… topics. Author-date citations refer to entries in the Darwin Correspondence Project’s cumulative …
… given to reprints available in John van Wyhe ed., Charles Darwin’s shorter publications, 1829-1883 …
… numbers refer to R. B. Freeman’s standard bibliography of Darwin’s works. —Extracts from …
… of His Majesty’s Ship Beagle, commanded by Capt. FitzRoy, R.N. Proceedings of the Geological …
… FitzRoy RN, during the years 1832 to 1836 . By Charles Darwin. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1842. …
… —Remarks on the preceding paper, in a letter from Charles Darwin, Esq., to Mr. Maclaren. Edinburgh …
… FitzRoy RN, during the years 1832 to 1836. By Charles Darwin. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1844. …
… FitzRoy RN, during the years 1832 to 1836. By Charles Darwin. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1846. …
… The structure and distribution of coral reefs . By Charles Darwin. Revised edition. London: Smith, …
… History of Science 24: 133–57. Stoddart, David R. 1976. Darwin, Lyell, and the geological …
… On the history of geology: Greene, Mott C. 1982. Geology in the nineteenth century . …

Before Origin: the ‘big book’

Summary

Darwin began ‘sorting notes for Species Theory’ on 9 September 1854, the very day he concluded his eight-year study of barnacles (Darwin's Journal). He had long considered the question of species. In 1842, he outlined a theory of transmutation in a…

Matches: 22 hits

… Darwin began ‘sorting notes for Species Theory’ on 9 September 1854, the …
… day he concluded his eight-year study of barnacles ( Darwin's Journal ). He had long …
… to paper in a more substantial essay. By this point, Darwin had also admitted to his close friend …
… he acknowledged, ‘ like confessing a murder ’. While Darwin recognised he had far more work to do …
… reaction to the transmutation theory it contained convinced Darwin that further evidence for the …
… of Vestiges to him. It took another ten years before Darwin felt ready to start collating his …
… six months before he started sorting his species notes, Darwin had worried that the process would …
… I shall feel, if I when I get my notes together on species &c &c, the whole thing explodes …
… immutability of species ’, he told his cousin William Darwin Fox. Experimental work …
… set up to provide crucial evidence for his arguments. Fox, Darwin assumed, would have bred pigeons …
… intensely bred to exaggerate particular characters, would, Darwin believed, clearly exhibit the …
… amusement’ and be a ‘ horrid bore ’. Contrary to Darwin’s expectations, however, the pigeon …
… Henrietta . In April 1855, at the same time as Darwin began his pigeon breeding programme, …
… Hoping to benefit from Hooker’s botanical expertise, Darwin inquired: ‘ will you tell me at a …
… land bridges suggested by the naturalist Edward Forbes. Darwin declared to Hooker in July 1856 ‘y …
… to me, & yet I cannot honestly admit the doctrine ’. Darwin thought Forbes’ hypothesis ‘ an …
… of untying it. ’ Persuading men of science Darwin’s patient untying of the knot of …
… geograph. distribution, geological history—affinities &c &c &c.. And it seems to me, …
… about the permanence of species.— By 1857, Darwin had found the confidence to describe his …
… of fellow naturalists. Gray’s response was everything Darwin must have hoped for. Stating that his …
… definiteness of species’, Gray expressed his interest in Darwin’s work because it began with ‘ good …
… and a half chapters were edited and published in 1975 by R. C. Stauffer under the title Charles …

	carnivorous plants	(1)
	CCD intro	(4)
	Coral reefs	(1)
	Darwin's controversies	(1)
	Descent of man	(1)
	spiritualism	(1)
	drama	(1)
	Life sciences	(2)
	Featured	(2)
	Human nature	(1)
	Historical documents	(1)
	Geology	(1)

Darwin Correspondence Project

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