From Charles Lyell [after 2 August 1845]
Summary
CD’s criticism of his book [Travels in North America (1845)].
Compares invertebrate animals of Tasmania and England.
Mentions views of C. J. F. Bunbury on climate of the Carboniferous period.
Robert Brown says Australian flora has the widest range.
| Author: | Charles Lyell, 1st baronet |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [after 2 Aug 1845] |
| Classmark: | DAR 205.3: 281 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-901 |
To John Murray [23 August 1845]
Summary
Has again overrun his limits [in MS of third part of Journal of researches]. Sends JM a proof sheet of his account of Cape of Good Hope for decision whether to strike it out and save four pages.
Favourable notice of Journal has appeared in Gardeners’ Chronicle.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | [23 Aug 1845] |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff. 31–32) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-903 |
To William Jackson Hooker [23 August 1845]
Summary
Will be pleased to provide a testimonial for J. D. Hooker, who is seeking the Chair in Botany at Edinburgh, but fears he himself is so little known that it could only be of the smallest service. Has asked Lyell to write to J. F. W. Herschel giving an opinion of J. D. Hooker.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Jackson Hooker |
| Date: | [23 Aug 1845] |
| Classmark: | Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Directors’ Correspondence: English letters 1845, 23: 147) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-904 |
To Charles Lyell 25 August [1845]
Summary
Discusses the power of land covered with snow to radiate heat.
Criticises CL’s discussion of slavery [in Travels in North America (1845)]. A review of CL’s book is in Gardeners’ Chronicle.
Mentions John Lindley’s views on carbonic acid gas and extinction;
refers to the discussion of multiple and single creations in Humboldt’s Kosmos.
The origin of volcanic craters of elevation.
There is a popular demand for a new edition of Principles.
Praises palaeobotanical work of C. J. F. Bunbury.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Charles Lyell, 1st baronet |
| Date: | 25 Aug [1845] |
| Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.45) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-905 |
To W. J. Hooker [25 August 1845]
Summary
Encloses a testimonial letter for J. D. Hooker [see 907]. If WJH thinks the letter could be improved CD will alter it. Feels it a disgrace that a professor should be appointed by men "who never heard of Humboldt & Brown".
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Jackson Hooker |
| Date: | [25 Aug 1845] |
| Classmark: | Norwich Castle |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-906 |
To W. J. Hooker 25 August 1845
Summary
A letter in support of J. D. Hooker as a candidate for Edinburgh Chair in Botany. No one better qualified. Wishes him success.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Jackson Hooker |
| Date: | 25 Aug 1845 |
| Classmark: | Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (J. D. Hooker testimonials JDH/4/5) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-907 |
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 J. D. Hooker [29 August 1845]
Summary
Anxious to hear of JDH’s prospects [at Edinburgh].
Has completed his Journal of researches.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
| Date: | [29 Aug 1845] |
| Classmark: | DAR 114: 39 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-909 |
From J. D. Hooker 1 September [1845]
Summary
JDH’s grandfather’s death.
Collecting testimonials for the Edinburgh chair.
| Author: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 1 Sept [1845] |
| Classmark: | DAR 100: 14–15 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-910 |
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 |
To J. D. Hooker [3 September 1845]
Summary
Condolences on JDH’s grandfather’s death.
When his wife can move, they will go to Staffordshire.
Returns some books; would like to see copy of Kosmos [by Alexander von Humboldt]. Would be proud owner of JDH’s work [Flora Antarctica (1844–7)].
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
| Date: | [3 Sept 1845] |
| Classmark: | DAR 114: 40 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-912 |
To Susan Darwin 3[–4] September 1845
Summary
"All about household and money matters." The family is now living on about £1000 per annum. Plans a new walk and additions to the house.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Susan Elizabeth Darwin |
| Date: | 3[–4] Sept 1845 |
| Classmark: | DAR 153: 109 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-913 |
From J. D. Hooker [4–9 September 1845]
Summary
The most experienced botanists argue for the "validity of species in nature". Against taxonomic "splitters".
CD’s Cape Tres Montes plants.
| Author: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [4–9 Sept 1845] |
| Classmark: | DAR 104: 208–9 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-914 |
To J. D. Hooker [10 September 1845]
Summary
Going to Shrewsbury on Monday.
Means to attempt the question of species: "though I shall get more kicks than half-pennies, I will, life serving, attempt my work".
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
| Date: | [10 Sept 1845] |
| Classmark: | DAR 114: 41 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-915 |
From J. D. Hooker 14 September 1845
Summary
Thanks for Journal of researches.
Puzzled over pea flower from Cape Tres Montes.
Thinks species a fair and most profitable subject for discussion, but has no formed opinion of his own.
| Author: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 14 Sept 1845 |
| Classmark: | DAR 100: 55–6 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-916 |
To J. D. Hooker [18 September 1845]
Summary
Kosmos [by Alexander von Humboldt] has arrived safely.
CD acknowledges his presumption in speculating on variation without having worked out his due share of species, but "for nine years it has been anyhow the greatest amusement to me".
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
| Date: | [18 Sept 1845] |
| Classmark: | DAR 114: 42 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-917 |
From John Higgins 2 October 1845
Summary
Sends a list of the work he feels should be done at Beesby [Lincolnshire] to put the farm in order. Hopes to get purchase deeds completed by 10 October.
| Author: | John Higgins |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 2 Oct 1845 |
| Classmark: | DAR 210.10: 8 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-918 |
To Charles Lyell 8 October [1845]
Summary
Discusses American Negroes and their parasitic lice. Henry Denny’s need for lice specimens.
Discusses effects of racial crosses in man.
Describes his trip to Yorkshire.
Comments on Sedgwick’s review [of Vestiges of creation].
Mentions Humboldt’s Kosmos. Criticises Humboldt’s geology.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Charles Lyell, 1st baronet |
| Date: | 8 Oct [1845] |
| Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.46) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-919 |
To J. D. Hooker [8 October 1845]
Summary
Sorry to hear JDH did not get Edinburgh chair. Invites him to Down.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
| Date: | [8 Oct 1845] |
| Classmark: | DAR 114: 43 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-920 |
To J. S. Henslow 28 October [1845]
Summary
Comments on potato disease and its effects on the poor.
Describes visit to his Lincolnshire farm,
to York where he discussed hybrids with the Dean of Manchester [William Herbert],
his meeting with Charles Waterton, and his delight with Chatsworth.
Disappointed at Hooker’s failure to receive the Edinburgh chair; believes JDH will make a great botanist.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Stevens Henslow |
| Date: | 28 Oct [1845] |
| Classmark: | Smithsonian Libraries and Archives (Dibner Library of the History of Science and Technology MSS 405 A. Gift of the Burndy Library) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-921 |
| letter | (135) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (92) |
| Hooker, J. D. | (12) |
| Waterhouse, G. R. | (5) |
| Forbes, Edward | (3) |
| Reeks, Trenham | (3) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (42) |
| Hooker, J. D. | (27) |
| Murray, John (b) | (20) |
| Sowerby, G. B. | (6) |
| Ehrenberg, C. G. | (5) |
| Ansted, D. T. | (1) |
| Bell, Thomas | (1) |
| Blomefield, Leonard | (1) |
| Brayley, E. W. | (1) |
| Carpenter, W. B. | (2) |
| Cuming, Hugh | (1) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (134) |
| Darwin, Emma | (2) |
| Darwin, S. E. | (1) |
| Dieffenbach, Ernst | (3) |
| Ehrenberg, C. G. | (7) |
| Falconer, Hugh | (2) |
| Forbes, Edward | (4) |
| Fox, W. D. | (2) |
| Fraser, Louis | (2) |
| Henslow, J. S. | (3) |
| Higgins, John | (2) |
| Hitchcock, Edward | (1) |
| Hooker, J. D. | (39) |
| Hooker, W. J. | (3) |
| Hopkins, William | (1) |
| Jenyns, Leonard | (1) |
| Lyell, Charles | (6) |
| Miller, W. H. | (1) |
| Murray, John (b) | (20) |
| Orbigny, Alcide d’ | (2) |
| Parish, Woodbine | (1) |
| Principal inhabitants of Down | (1) |
| Reeks, Trenham | (4) |
| Secretary of the Post Office | (1) |
| Smith, C. H. (a) | (3) |
| Smith, Elder & Co | (1) |
| Sowerby, G. B. | (6) |
| Stokes, J. L. | (1) |
| Strzelecki, P. E. de | (1) |
| Sulivan, B. J. | (2) |
| Waterhouse, G. R. | (6) |
| Wedgwood, Emma | (2) |
| Yarrell, William | (1) |
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…
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
- … and anticlinal lines of a geological formation, 3 March 1845 Edward Forbes's " …
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: 8 hits
- … his Journal of researches for a second edition in 1845, having already provided corrections in …
- … vice-presidents in 1844 and remaining on the council from 1845 onwards; he was a conscientious …
- … attacked the work vehemently in the Edinburgh Review (1845), while other colleagues like Edward …
- … his cousin William Darwin Fox in a letter of [24 April 1845] , he felt he ought to be both …
- … of his Journal of researches for a second edition in 1845. At Lyell’s recommendation, …
- … the original publisher, to John Murray, and throughout 1845 Darwin worked hard to provide manuscript …
- … on board the Beagle back to Tierra del Fuego. By 1845, Darwin was in full command of a …
- … Distribution’ ( letter to J. D. Hooker, [10 February 1845] ) and quick to make use of the young …
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. 3, letter to Charles Lyell, 8 October [1845] ). Having indulged his senses, Darwin …
Darwin and Fatherhood
Summary
Charles Darwin married Emma Wedgwood in 1839 and over the next seventeen years the couple had ten children. It is often assumed that Darwin was an exceptional Victorian father. But how extraordinary was he? The Correspondence Project allows an unusually…
Matches: 1 hits
- … he was working (Darwin to his wife Emma, [7-8 February 1845] ). Although Darwin did not usually …
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: 19 hits
- … on Instinct [F. G. Cuvier 1822] read Flourens Edit [Flourens 1845] read L. Jenyns paper on …
- … 1834–9] Carlyles Oliver Cromwell [Carlyle 1845] (read) Keppells(?) voyage to Borneo …
- … Exploring Expedition towards the Rocky Mountains [Frémont 1845]. (amusing extracts). perhaps for …
- … America by A. Downing Wiley & Putnam. 14 s . [Downing 1845] (Brit. Museum) (read) good …
- … [DAR *119: 22] Eyeres Travels [E. J. Eyre 1845] very amusing Tschudi’s Travels in …
- … Campbells Lives of Chancellors [J. Campbell 1845–7] last vol. Ludlows Memoirs …
- … Murchisons Russia [Murchison, Verneuil, and Keyserling 1845] (read) Agassiz’s Works …
- … Wilkes Expedition. £ 3. 3 s [Wilkes 1845] order at L. Library. read Botanical Soc. of …
- … Soc. of Neuchatel on Jura. 1846, or 7, or 8 [?Marcou 1845]. 46 Morris good for me.— …
- … 1853] Vol. V of Campbells Chancellors [J. Campbell 1845–7] Lives of the Lindsays …
- … [I. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire 1832–7] Wilkes [Wilkes 1845]. Voyage Vol I. to V Apr …
- … May. Blanco White. Auto-biography [Blanco y Crespo 1845].— 24 Improvisatore [Andersen 1845] …
- … Aug. 5 th Lyells Travels in N. America [Lyell 1845] Oct. Cosmos [A. von Humboldt 1845–8]. …
- … Dec. 10 Ray. Society. Vol I. Reports [Ray Society 1845].— 20 D r Badham insect Life …
- … Feb 6 Explanations by Author of Vestiges [Chambers 1845] —— Bronn’s Gesickte [Bronn 1842–3] 2 …
- … [Twamley 1844] —— Whewell on Education [Whewell 1845–52]. Dec: 26. Watson History of …
- … [Heber 1828] —— 31 Kitto on Deafness [Kitto 1845] —— the French in Algiers [Lamping …
- … 1841] April 10 Wagners Anatomy by Tulk [Wagner 1845] (half through) —— 24 Steenstrup …
- … th Elie de Beaumont Lecons Geologie [Élie de Beaumont 1845] skimmed. June 17 th . Downing …
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: 4 hits
- … hundred letters from Darwin, from his first negotiations in 1845 until his final years. Although …
- … came to discuss a second edition, probably at the end of 1845, Darwin was not happy with Colburn’s …
- … Colonial Library in three monthly parts (July to September 1845) before being reissued in a single …
- … you have transacted the business with me’ (27 August [1845] Letter 908 ). Thus began the business …
Richard Matthews
Summary
Richard Matthews was 21 years old when he stepped aboard the Beagle, destined for a lonely career as a missionary in Tierra del Fuego. The Church Missionary Society had arranged for him to accompany the three Fuegians (Fuegia Basket, Jemmy Button, and York…
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…
Orundellico (Jemmy Button)
Summary
Orundellico was one of the Yahgan, or canoe people of the southern part of Tierra del Fuego. He was the fourth hostage taken by Robert FitzRoy, captain of HMS Beagle, in 1830 following the theft of the small surveying boat. This fourteen-year old boy was…
Matches: 3 hits
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…
People featured in the Dutch photograph album
Summary
Here is a list of people that appeared in the photograph album Darwin received for his birthday on 12 February 1877 from scientific admirers in the Netherlands. Many thanks to Hester Loeff for identifying and researching them. No. …
People featured in the Dutch photograph album
Summary
List of people appearing in the photograph album Darwin received from scientific admirers in the Netherlands for his birthday on 12 February 1877. We are grateful to Hester Loeff for providing this list and for permission to make her research available.…
4.51 Frederick Holder 'Life and Work'
Summary
< Back to Introduction A popular biography of Darwin for young readers by the American naturalist Charles Frederick Holder, published in 1891, sought to present him as ‘an example to the youth of all lands’ (p. v). Thus ‘our hero’ was shown to have…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Captain Fitz Roy, R.N. , 2 nd ed. (London: John Murray, 1845), pp. 22, 90, 182, and 384. Francis …
Second species sketch
Summary
Darwin finishes an expanded sketch of his species theory, first drafted in 1842
Matches: 1 hits
- … Darwin finishes an expanded sketch of his species theory, first drafted in 1842 …
George Darwin born
Summary
The Darwins' son George Howard Darwin born
Matches: 1 hits
- … The Darwins' son George Howard Darwin born …
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…
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…
Matches: 1 hits
- … In the course of discussions about species in the autumn of 1845, his close friend Joseph Dalton …
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
- … in roman numerals. Others relate to Darwin’s 1839 or 1845 volumes and Belcher’s Narrative of the …
- … The British press was decidedly unsympathetic. Recalled in 1845, he returned home in humiliation as …
- … world, and had copies of both the 1839 Narrative and the 1845 second edition titled Journal of …
- … Borneo, and the Philippines in HMS Samarang from 1842 to 1845, and ended his naval career with …
Darwin’s observations on his children
Summary
Charles Darwin’s observations on the development of his children, began the research that culminated in his book The Expression of the emotions in man and animals, published in 1872, and his article ‘A biographical sketch of an infant’, published in Mind…
