To W. D. Fox 19 [September 1831]
Summary
Describes his appointment, the Beagle, his companions, and the objectives of the voyage. Gives his schedule before departure.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | 19 [Sept 1831] |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 44) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-132 |
Matches: 7 hits
- … To W. D. Fox 19 [September 1831] …
- … Fox 44) Charles Robert Darwin London, Spring Gardens, 17 19 [Sept 1831] William Darwin Fox …
- … Francis. 1912. FitzRoy and Darwin, 1831–36. Nature 88: 547–8. Narrative : Narrative of the …
- … See letter from George Peacock , [ c. 26 August 1831], n. 1. …
- … On 15 September 1831, Robert FitzRoy had written to Francis Beaufort ( F. Darwin 1912 , …
- … letter to J. S. Henslow, [5 September 1831] CD writes: ‘Cap. Beaufort says I shall be …
- … his letter to Susan Darwin, [5 September 1831] he says: ‘I shall pay to mess the same as …
To W. D. Fox 6 [September 1831]
Summary
Received offer of post as naturalist in the Beagle in the same mail as WDF’s last letter. Outlines details of prospective voyage. Not certain, but thinks he probably will go.
Expresses pleasure that all is well with their friendship, which he prizes.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | 6 [Sept 1831] |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 43) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-120 |
To W. D. Fox [11 May 1831]
Summary
CD’s father has given him £200 to settle his debts.
He is delighted by a magnificent anonymous gift of a microscope.
Sees a good deal of the Henslows who are expecting a child soon.
CD still talks of the "Canary scheme"; he is learning Spanish.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | [11 May 1831] |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 40) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-100 |
To W. D. Fox 1 August [1831]
Summary
Will send his insects and two or three from Henslow.
The Canary scheme takes place next June.
Is grieved WDF thinks him capable of telling falsehoods.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | 1 Aug [1831] |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 42) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-103 |
To W. D. Fox [15 February 1831]
Summary
Informs WDF of a shipment of birds ready to be sent by Baker.
Urges WDF to read Herschel’s essay [A preliminary discourse on the study of natural philosophy (1830)] in Lardner’s [Cabinet] Cyclopedia.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | [15 Feb 1831] |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 37) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-94 |
To W. D. Fox [23 January 1831]
Summary
Congratulates WDF on passing his examination for the curacy; hopes he will find it comfortable.
CD is pleased at his own good showing.
Asks about WDF’s examination, books, etc.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | [23 Jan 1831] |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 36) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-89 |
Matches: 4 hits
- … To W. D. Fox [23 January 1831] …
- … Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 36) Charles Robert Darwin Cambridge [23 Jan 1831] William Darwin Fox …
- … understanding ( Cambridge University calendar , 1831). ‘By answering well the examination …
- … passed ( Cambridge Chronicle , 22 January 1831, 2d ed. ). The ‘Captain’ headed the list of …
To W. D. Fox [7 April 1831]
Summary
CD expects pleasant spring term; will botanise with Henslow.
He is dreaming of going to the Canary Islands for tropical scenery.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | [7 Apr 1831] |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 39) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-96 |
To W. D. Fox [9 July 1831]
Summary
Poverty keeps him at Shrewsbury.
The Canary scheme still goes, CD is studying Spanish and geology.
Jenyns has started CD on Diptera.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | [9 July 1831] |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 41) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-101 |
To W. D. Fox [9 February 1831]
Summary
Will leave Cambridge shortly after division; plans to return for next term. With so many friends, Henslow among the foremost, it will be pleasant.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | [9 Feb 1831] |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 38) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-92 |
To W. D. Fox 17 [November 1831]
Summary
Still delayed; will not sail until 5 December. Instructions have come, with proposed itinerary.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | 17 [Nov 1831] |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 45) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-149 |
To W. D. Fox 31 January [1858]
Summary
Thanks WDF for information on blackbirds’ nests [see Natural selection, p. 505].
Problem of choosing from among the load of curious facts for chapter on "Instinct" [Natural selection, ch. 10; Origin, ch. 7] perplexes him.
Asks about behaviour of chicks in danger and whether crossed animals are wilder than either parent.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | 31 Jan [1858] |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 109) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2208 |
Matches: 5 hits
- … 1858] , in which CD asked to borrow Hewitson 1831–44 . Fox was thanked in the preface …
- … and specimens of nests and eggs ( Hewitson 1831–44 , 1: 15) and cited frequently in the …
- … on the nests of redstarts ( Hewitson 1831–44 , pl. cx) in Natural selection , p. 505. …
- … Macmillan and Co. Hewitson, William Chapman. 1831–44. British oology; being illustrations …
- … Ann Fox . CD recorded reading Hewitson 1831–44 at the end of 1858 ( Correspondence vol. …
To W. D. Fox 14 January [1858]
Summary
Asks to borrow W. C. Hewitson’s book [British oology, 2 vols. (1831–44)].
CD is searching for reliable information on slight variations in the degree of perfection of nests of the same species of birds.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | 14 Jan [1858] |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 108) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2202 |
To W. D. Fox 22 February [1858]
Summary
Thanks for Hewitson [British oology].
Has found more variability in birds’ nests than he expected.
Interested in WDF’s note about turkey terrified by a frog [see Natural selection, p. 488 n.].
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | 22 Feb [1858] |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 111) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2219 |
To W. D. Fox 16 April [1858]
Summary
Asks WDF for facts about stripes in horses and ponies.
Health has been very bad.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | 16 Apr [1858] |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 112a) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2256 |
To W. D. Fox [7 June 1840]
Summary
Family news.
CD’s health is improving, but he has scarcely put pen to paper in the last half-year, and everything in the publishing line is going backwards.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | [7 June 1840] |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 60) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-572 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … Lyell left for France in July ( Wilson 1972 , pp. 490–2). Lindley and Hutton 1831–7. …
From W. D. Fox 23 January 1833
Summary
His health has improved but he continues "a good deal of an invalid" and is uncertain what the future holds for him.
His interest in entomology and ornithology continues; he has been studying the gulls on the Isle of Wight.
| Author: | William Darwin Fox |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 23 Jan 1833 |
| Classmark: | DAR 204: 121 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-197 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … 5). William Chapman Hewitson . The first part of his British oology was published in 1831. …
To W. D. Fox [15 June 1838]
Summary
Has not been well.
Plans a geological trip to Glen Roy in Scotland.
Thanks WDF for remembering the crossing of animals, CD’s "prime hobby". "I really think some day I shall be able to do something on that most intricate subject species and varieties."
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | [15 June 1838] |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 54) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-419 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle … during the years 1831 to 1836. By Richard Owen. Edited and …
To W. D. Fox [1 April 1830]
Summary
CD will remain in Cambridge during the whole vacation.
J. F. Stephens has been ill; hence no recent publications.
Has seen a good deal of J. S. Henslow.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | [1 Apr 1830] |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 28) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-79 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … had to perform services, often of a menial nature ( Cambridge University calendar , 1831). …
From W. D. Fox 1 November 1834
Summary
WDF sends news of his activities and of his family.
| Author: | William Darwin Fox |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 1 Nov 1834 |
| Classmark: | DAR 204: 124 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-261 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … was Governor of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) from 1831 to 1837. Spennithorne, North Yorkshire. …
To W. D. Fox 2 December 1877
Summary
Working hard on physiology of plants.
His son George sees no reason to change his view on marriage of cousins.
George’s astronomical work is too deep for CD.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | 2 Dec 1877 |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 155) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-11266 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … at Christ’s College, Cambridge, from 1828 to 1831. CD had stayed at Leith Hill Place in …
| letter | (22) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (18) |
| Fox, W. D. | (4) |
| Fox, W. D. | (18) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (4) |
Books on the Beagle
Summary
The Beagle was a sort of floating library. Find out what Darwin and his shipmates read here.
Matches: 14 hits
- … (2: 18). CD, in his letter to Henslow, 9 [September 1831] , discussing the preparations for the …
- … for Books.’ (Letter from Robert FitzRoy, 23 September 1831 ). On board, FitzRoy states, ‘Our …
- … Beering’s Strait . . . 1825, 26, 27, 28 . London, 1831. (DAR 31.1: 276v.; 33: 253v.). Darwin …
- … la Beche, Henry Thomas. A geological manual. London, 1831. (DAR 32.1: 53). Desaulses de …
- … of geometry. (Letter to J. S. Henslow, 30 October 1831). ‡ Falkner, Thomas. A description …
- … naturelle faites dans l’Amérique du Sud . . . 1830 et 1831. Annales des Sciences Naturelles 28 …
- … géologie et de climatologie asiatiques. 2 vols. Paris, 1831. (DAR 35.2: 401; Stoddart 1962, p. 22a …
- … from J. S. Henslow to CD ‘on his departure’, September 1831). Darwin Library–CUL ††. * …
- … London, n.d. [1802]. (Letter to Robert FitzRoy, [10 October 1831]). DAR 196.2 †. * Juan, …
- … vols. 5th ed. York, 1824. (Inscription: ‘Rob t . FitzRoy 1831’). Darwin Library–CUL †. § …
- … Spanish and English languages. 2 vols. 5th ed. London, 1831. Darwin Library–CUL, vol. 1 only.). …
- … ed. Cambridge, 1825. (Letter to J. S. Henslow, 30 October 1831). The volumes listed below, …
- … Viage) Spanish edition’ in Syms Covington, MS ‘Journal 1831–6’, p. 30; Mitchell Library, Sydney, N. …
- … Taxidermy.(Letter to Susan Darwin, [6 September 1831] ‘A little book, if I have got it in bedroom, …
The Voyage of the Beagle
Summary
It was a letter from his friend and former teacher, John Stevens Henslow, that brought the 22-year-old Charles Darwin news of the offer of a place on board the Admiralty surveying vessel HMS Beagle on a voyage to chart the coast of South America. During…
Matches: 3 hits
Diagrams and drawings in letters
Summary
Over 850 illustrations from the printed volumes of The Correspondence of Charles Darwin have been added to the online transcripts of the letters. The contents include maps, diagrams, drawings, sketches and photographs, covering geological, botanical,…
Matches: 1 hits
- … work in N. Wales since he and CD parted, 4 September 1831 Thomas Sutcliffe's map of …
Home learning: 7-11 years
Summary
Do try this at home! Support your children’s learning by downloading our free and fun activities for those aged between 7-11 and 11-14 years, using Darwin’s letters.
Matches: 1 hits
- … History’ ( Letter from J. S. Henslow, 24 August 1831 ) Encourage …
Capturing Darwin’s voice: audio of selected letters
Summary
On a sunny Wednesday in June 2011 in a makeshift recording studio somewhere in Cambridge, we were very pleased to welcome Terry Molloy back to the Darwin Correspondence Project for a special recording session. Terry, known for his portrayal of Davros in Dr…
Matches: 1 hits
- … The letters cover a long time span from one of 31 August 1831 to his father seeking permission …
Darwin’s hothouse and lists of hothouse plants
Summary
Darwin became increasingly involved in botanical experiments in the years after the publication of Origin. The building of a small hothouse - a heated greenhouse - early in 1863 greatly increased the range of plants that he could keep for scientific…
Matches: 1 hits
- … vol. 1, letter to Caroline Darwin, [28 April 1831] ), and when, on the Beagle , he heard …
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…
Matches: 1 hits
- … sure they will visit the South Sea Islands: [9 September 1831] . The first evidence of …
Natural Science and Femininity
Summary
Discussion Questions|Letters A conflation of masculine intellect and feminine thoughts, habits and feelings, male naturalists like Darwin inhabited an uncertain gendered identity. Working from the private domestic comfort of their homes and exercising…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Letter 109 - Wedgwood, J. to Darwin, R. W., [31 August 1831] Darwin’s uncle writes to …
Darwin in letters, 1879: Tracing roots
Summary
Darwin spent a considerable part of 1879 in the eighteenth century. His journey back in time started when he decided to publish a biographical account of his grandfather Erasmus Darwin to accompany a translation of an essay on Erasmus’s evolutionary ideas…
Matches: 1 hits
- … letter from Francis Beaufort to Robert FitzRoy, 1 September [1831] ). By the time Darwin came to …
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.
Early Days
Summary
Sources|Discussion Questions|Experiment The young Charles Darwin From an early age, Darwin exhibited a keen interest in the natural world. His boyish fascination with naturalist pursuits deepened as he entered college and started to interact with…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Letter 98 —Darwin to Caroline Darwin [28 Apr 1831] Writing to his sister Caroline, Darwin …
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: 31 hits
- … Library of useful knowledge Horse, cow, sheep [Youatt 1831, 1834, 1837]. Verey Philosophie d …
- … papers. read Audubons Ornithol: Biography [Audubon 1831–9]— 4 Vols. well worth reading …
- … 1828a]. quoted by D r Ryan on marriage [Ryan 1831] (read) Babbington on Flora of Channel …
- … &c. Also Encyclop. of Agriculture by Loudon [Loudon 1831]. Book I. ch. 7 & Book II. Ch. 8. …
- … of Authors in Loudon’s Encyclop. of Agriculture [Loudon 1831] Dieffenbach Travels into the …
- … end Herschel’s Introd to Nat. Philosophy [Herschel 1831] d[itt]o 2 d time of Reading 62 …
- … 1838] 14 Boswell’s life of Johnsons [Boswell 1831] 4 vols 25 Phillips Geology [J. …
- … ] to end of 1838. —— Youatt on the Horse [Youatt 1831] Library of Useful K. 1840 …
- … 1780] Johnson. Tour to Hebrides by Boswell [Boswell 1831] Philip Van Artevelde [H. …
- … H. Smith 1841] Dec. Encyclop. of Agriculture [Loudon 1831] (skimmed & abst) Jan 9 …
- … skimmed.— 8 th Cox’s Columbia River [Cox 1831] —— Anderson on Sheep [Pallas 1794]: …
- … Sept 3 d Brewster’s Life of Sir. I. Newton [Brewster 1831] —— 20 Franklins Narrative 1 st …
- … July 11. Pistor Das Ganze Taubenzucht [Pistor 1831]. —— 15 Die Enten & Gansezucht. Ulm. …
- … 1856] 30. Brehm Handbuch Vogel Deutschlands [Brehm 1831]. Sept 5 th Prosper Lucas l …
- … Dec. 29 th Audubons Ornithological Biography [Audubon 1831–9]— [DAR 128: 23] …
- … P. Mathhew on Naval Timber & Arboriculture [Matthew 1831] Bull. Bot. Soc. de France [ …
- … Feb. 23 Sir D. Brewsters life of Newton [Brewster 1831] March. 8 Houdins the conjurer Life …
- … London. 128: 3 Audubon, John James Laforest. 1831–9. Ornithological biography; or …
- … 2 vols. London. 119: 7a Boswell, James. 1831. The life of Samuel Johnson … …
- … Library.] *128: 177 Brehm, Christian Ludwig. 1831. Handbuch der Naturgeschichte …
- … the Swedish. London. 119: 13b Brewster, David. 1831. The life of Sir Isaac Newton . …
- … Cowper . 2 vols. London. 119: 15b Cox, Ross. 1831. Adventures on the Columbia River, …
- … and appendix: Proceedings of the second expedition, 1831–6, under the command of Captain …
- … 4v.; 119: 4a Herschel, John Frederick William. 1831. A preliminary discourse on the …
- … landscape gardening . London. 119: 12a ——. 1831. An encyclopædia of agriculture: …
- … Paris. 1816–45. *119: 13v. Matthew, Patrick. 1831. On naval timber and …
- … von Capitain W. Wendt, in den Jahren 1830, 1831 und 1832. 3 vols. (Vol. 1, bk 2: …
- … . 2 vols. Paris. *119: 1 Pistor, C. M. Wilhelm. 1831. Das Ganze der Feld- und …
- … . London. *128: 173; 128: 12 Ryan, Michael. 1831. Lectures on population, marriage and …
- … *119: 13v.; *128: 157; 128: 22 Youatt, William. 1831. The horse; with a treatise on …
- … Society of London . London. 1812–30. New series, 1831–48. [Abstract in DAR 74: 55–102.] *119: 4v. …
Scientific Networks
Summary
Friendship|Mentors|Class|Gender In its broadest sense, a scientific network is a set of connections between people, places, and things that channel the communication of knowledge, and that substantially determine both its intellectual form and content,…
Charles Darwin: the Beagle letters
Summary
This volume contains the complete texts of all the letters that the young naturalist Charles Darwin wrote and received while sailing round the world on the surveying ship the Beaglebetween 1831 and 1836. They start with letters written as a new and…
Robert FitzRoy
Summary
Robert FitzRoy was captain of HMS Beagle when Darwin was aboard. From 1831 to 1836 the two men lived in the closest proximity, their relationship revealed by the letters they exchanged while Darwin left the ship to explore the countries visited during the…
Matches: 3 hits
Yokcushlu (Fuegia Basket)
Summary
Yokcushlu was one of the Alakaluf, or canoe people from the western part of Tierra del Fuego. She was one of the hostages seized by Robert FitzRoy, captain of HMS Beagle, after the small boat used for surveying the narrow inlets of the coast of Tierra del…
Introduction to the Satire of FitzRoy's Narrative of the Voyages of the Adventure and Beagle
Summary
'a humble toadyish follower…': Not all pictures of Darwin during the Beagle voyage are flattering. Published here for the first time is a complete transcript of a satirical account of the Beagle’s brief visit in 1836 to the Cocos Keeling islands…
Matches: 4 hits
- … century, the circumnavigation of HMS Beagle in 1831 to 1836. Our other substantial accounts of …
- … little but Ross’ account of the situation from 1827 to 1831, it seems clear that the two men had …
- … reference to Hare’s ‘Seraglio.’ Leaving the field in 1831, Hare died in Bencoolen in Sumatra at the …
- … and Beagle , titled Proceedings of the Second Expedition 1831-1836 . It was accompanied by an …
Beagle voyage begins
Summary
HMS Beagle sails
Matches: 1 hits
- … HMS Beagle sets sail from Plymouth with Darwin on board. What was supposed to be a two-year …
Darwin and the Beagle voyage
Summary
In 1831, Darwin joined a voyage that he later referred to ‘as by far the most important event in my life’. Dive in to our 3D model of the Beagle and find out more about life on board and the adventures that he had.
Matches: 1 hits
- … around the world on his greatest adventure In 1831, Charles Darwin joined a voyage that he …
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: 1 hits
- … voyage. While he was attached to the Beagle from 1831 to 1835, Darwin actually spent about two …
