To William Jackson Hooker 12 March [1843]
Summary
Asks WJH to thank his son [J. D. Hooker, away on Antarctic survey] for his note. Has also read a letter JDH wrote to Lyell. Hopes JDH will publish a journal. If he publishes an Antarctic flora, CD will place his collection of South American alpine plants at his disposal.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Jackson Hooker |
| Date: | 12 Mar [1843] |
| Classmark: | Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Directors’ Correspondence: S. American letters 1838–44, 69: 40) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-664 |
To Emma Wedgwood [7 August 1838]
Summary
His [first] railway journey was disappointing.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin |
| Date: | [7 Aug 1838] |
| Classmark: | DAR 210.8: 3 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-423 |
To George Robert Waterhouse [August 1838–40]
Summary
Determined to make GRW a geologist. Sends copy of C. Lyell [?Elements of geology (1838)].
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | George Robert Waterhouse |
| Date: | [Aug 1838–40] |
| Classmark: | Cleveland Health Sciences Library (Robert M. Stecher collection) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-416 |
From Emma Wedgwood [21–2 November 1838]
Summary
Writes lovingly of small events since he left Maer. Fears their opinions may differ on "the most important subject", religion, but is grateful for his openness about his "honest & conscientious doubts".
| Author: | Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [21–2 Nov 1838] |
| Classmark: | DAR 204: 150 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-441 |
From Adam Sedgwick to the Geological Society of London [after 15 May 1838]
Summary
Referee report on CD’s "Volcanic phenomena in South America" [Collected papers 1: 53–86]. Deductions incontrovertible, but theoretical remarks not clearly stated.
| Author: | Adam Sedgwick |
| Addressee: | Geological Society of London |
| Date: | [after 15 May 1838] |
| Classmark: | Geological Society of London (GSL/COM/P/4/2/48) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-414 |
To C. T. Whitley [8 May 1838]
Summary
Treasures recollections of old friends but seldom sees any. Has turned "a complete scribbler".
His scientific activities.
No wife in sight so far.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Charles Thomas Whitley |
| Date: | [8 May 1838] |
| Classmark: | Shrewsbury School, Taylor Library |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-411A |
Matches: 5 hits
- … Correspondence vol. 2, letter to Susan Darwin, [26 April 1838] ). …
- … vol. 2, letter to William Whewell, [10 March 1837] , and Appendix II). The 1838 meeting …
- … letter to Charles Whitley, 15 November [1831] ). Jonathan Henry Lovett Cameron was a friend from Shrewsbury School and Cambridge days. Cameron became rector of Astwick, Bedfordshire in 1838 ( …
- … letter from C. T. Whitley, 5 February 1835) . CD had socialised with members of the Holland family, distant relations of the Darwins, in April 1838 ( …
- … letter from Frederick Watkins, [18 September 1831] . Erasmus Alvey Darwin lived a few doors away from CD, at 43 Great Marlborough Street. CD’s Journal and remarks , volume 3 of Robert FitzRoy’s Narrative , had been printed early in 1838, …
To Charles Lyell [24 January 1847]
Summary
Comments on investigation of coral reefs by A. A. Gould, particularly the reefs around Tahiti. Mentions description of reefs of Tahiti by W. Forbes.
Hooker’s view of work by C. J. F. Bunbury.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Charles Lyell, 1st baronet |
| Date: | [24 Jan 1847] |
| Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.58) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1056 |
To John Gould [13 April 1838]
Summary
Gives best wishes for Gould’s trip to Australia.
Notes on Synallaxis behaviour.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Gould |
| Date: | [13 Apr 1838] |
| Classmark: | Dr Daniel C. Devor (private collection) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-408F |
To William Lonsdale [c. June 1838]
Summary
Responds to report of the referee [on his paper "The formation of mould"]. Strikes out a paragraph and wants to add a note. Asks WL’s advice about a sentence.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Lonsdale |
| Date: | [c. June 1838] |
| Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-417 |
To W. H. Miller [16 October – 27 November 1842]
Summary
Mentions preparing geological notes for press. Asks whether WHM still has some geological specimens he had examined for CD.
Urges WHM to attend important meeting of Geological Society on 3 December.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Hallowes Miller |
| Date: | [16 Oct – 27 Nov 1842] |
| Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.29) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-651 |
To John George Children 22 February [1838]
Summary
Testifies to the courtesy and helpfulness of George Gray [assistant at the British Museum]. [See 402b.]
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John George Children |
| Date: | 22 Feb [1838] |
| Classmark: | British Museum (Officers’ Reports 20 (1838): 5314) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-402F |
To John Stevens Henslow 25 January [1858]
Summary
Mrs Henslow’s death stirs reminiscences of happier days.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Stevens Henslow |
| Date: | 25 Jan [1858] |
| Classmark: | DAR 93: A50–1 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2207 |
From W. D. Fox [c. November 1838]
Summary
Reports on the effects of inbreeding in dogs and the results of crossing Canada and common geese.
| Author: | William Darwin Fox |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [c. Nov 1838] |
| Classmark: | DAR 164: 173 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-418 |
To Charles Babbage [21 January 1838]
Summary
Asks Babbage to take small parcel to Henslow.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Charles Babbage |
| Date: | [21 Jan 1838] |
| Classmark: | The British Library (Add MS 37190: 320) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-357 |
To J. S. Henslow [26 March 1838]
Summary
Declines Ray Club dinner; too busy with Zoology.
Thanks JSH for presenting his work to Cambridge Philosophical Society.
Asks him to get an answer from W. H. Miller on specimen of crystallised mineral.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Stevens Henslow |
| Date: | [26 Mar 1838] |
| Classmark: | DAR 93: A1–2 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-406 |
From J. P. S. de Grateloup 18 July 1838
Summary
Sends to CD, as Secretary of the Geological Society, his work on fossil shells ["Mémoire sur les coquilles fossiles", Actes de la Société Linnéenne de Bordeaux 10 (1838): 92–152].
| Author: | Jean Pierre Sylvestre de Grateloup |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 18 July 1838 |
| Classmark: | Geological Society of London (GSL/L/R/4/5) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-421A |
From J. S. Henslow [after 3 November 1838]
Summary
Whilst a genus of plants is comon to two of three islands [in the Galápagos] the species are often different in different islands. [Text only known from Journal of researches; published in Correspondence vol. 13 supplement, p. 351, letter to John Stevens Henslow, 3 November 1838, n. 5.]
| Author: | John Stevens Henslow |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [after 3 Nov 1838] |
| Classmark: | Journal of researches, p. 629 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-431F |
From Charles Lyell 6 and 8 September 1838
Summary
Would like to talk over Salisbury Craigs with CD.
CL’s father enthusiastic over Journal of researches.
Comments on Élie de Beaumont’s theory of mountain elevation.
Asks about parallel lines of upheaval and depression in the Pacific.
Glad CD likes Athenaeum Club.
Comments on methods of work.
Invites CD to visit Kinnordy.
Defends BAAS: "in this country no importance is attached to any body of men who do not make occasional demonstrations of their strength in public meetings".
With respect to Glen Roy, notes existence of deposits destitute of shells.
| Author: | Charles Lyell, 1st baronet |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 6 and 8 Sept 1838 |
| Classmark: | K. M. Lyell 1881 2: 43 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-425 |
To A. C. Ramsay 10 October [1846]
Summary
Thanks ACR for paper and comments on it ["On the denudation of South Wales", Mem. Geol. Surv. G. B. 1 (1846): 297–335].
Sends copy of South America.
Discusses action of the sea.
Criticises ACR’s views on sudden elevation of mountain chains.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Andrew Crombie Ramsay |
| Date: | 10 Oct [1846] |
| Classmark: | Imperial College of Science, Technology, and Medicine Archives |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1008 |
| Darwin, C. R. | (149) |
| Gray, Asa | (11) |
| Hooker, J. D. | (9) |
| Darwin, Emma | (5) |
| Wedgwood, Emma | (5) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (99) |
| Lyell, Charles | (13) |
| Henslow, J. S. | (11) |
| Hooker, J. D. | (11) |
| Dana, J. D. | (6) |
| 1836 | (2) |
| 1837 | (13) |
| 1838 | (46) |
| 1839 | (13) |
| 1840 | (5) |
| 1842 | (1) |
| 1843 | (5) |
| 1844 | (8) |
| 1845 | (7) |
| 1846 | (6) |
| 1847 | (6) |
| 1848 | (1) |
| 1849 | (4) |
| 1850 | (1) |
| 1851 | (1) |
| 1852 | (4) |
| 1853 | (2) |
| 1854 | (3) |
| 1855 | (8) |
| 1856 | (7) |
| 1857 | (1) |
| 1858 | (3) |
| 1859 | (4) |
| 1860 | (9) |
| 1861 | (9) |
| 1862 | (7) |
| 1863 | (8) |
| 1864 | (7) |
| 1865 | (5) |
| 1866 | (4) |
| 1867 | (6) |
| 1868 | (8) |
| 1869 | (4) |
| 1870 | (4) |
| 1871 | (4) |
| 1872 | (2) |
| 1873 | (1) |
| 1874 | (4) |
| 1875 | (3) |
| 1876 | (3) |
| 1877 | (1) |
| 1879 | (5) |
| 1880 | (3) |
| 1881 | (3) |
| 1882 | (1) |
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: 1 hits
- … The seven-year period following Darwin's return to England from the Beagle voyage was one of …
Darwin’s species notebooks: ‘I think . . .’
Summary
I have lately been sadly tempted to be idle, that is as far as pure geology is concerned, by the delightful number of new views, which have been coming in, thickly & steadily, on the classification & affinities & instincts of animals—bearing…
Matches: 1 hits
- … I have lately been sadly tempted to be idle, that is as far as pure geology is concerned, by …
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: 1 hits
- … In April 1838, Darwin began recording the titles of books he had read and the books he wished to …
Darwin's health
Summary
On 28 March 1849, ten years before Origin was published, Darwin wrote to his good friend Joseph Hooker from Great Malvern in Worcestershire, where Dr James Manby Gully ran a fashionable water-cure establishment. Darwin apologised for his delayed reply to…
Matches: 1 hits
- … On 28 March 1849, ten years before Origin was published, Darwin wrote to his good friend …
Science: A Man’s World?
Summary
Discussion Questions|Letters Darwin's correspondence show that many nineteenth-century women participated in the world of science, be it as experimenters, observers, editors, critics, producers, or consumers. Despite this, much of the…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Discussion Questions | Letters Darwin's correspondence show that many nineteenth …
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: 1 hits
- … This list includes papers read by Darwin to the Geological Society of London, his books on the …
Dining at Down House
Summary
Sources|Discussion Questions|Experiment Dining, Digestion, and Darwin's Domestic Life While Darwin is best remembered for his scientific accomplishments, he greatly valued and was strongly influenced by his domestic life. Darwin's…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Sources | Discussion Questions | Experiment Dining, Digestion, and Darwin's …
Religion
Summary
Design|Personal Belief|Beauty|The Church Perhaps the most notorious realm of controversy over evolution in Darwin's day was religion. The same can be said of the evolution controversy today; however the nature of the disputes and the manner in…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Design | Personal Belief | Beauty | The Church Perhaps the most notorious …
Darwin on marriage
Summary
On 11 November 1838 Darwin wrote in his journal ‘The day of days!’. He had proposed to his cousin, Emma Wedgwood, and been accepted; they were married on 29 January 1839. Darwin appears to have written these two notes weighing up the pros and cons of…
Matches: 1 hits
- … On 11 November 1838 Darwin wrote in his journal ‘The day of days!’. He had proposed to his cousin, …
Charles Darwin’s letters: a selection 1825-1859
Summary
The letters in this volume span the years from 1825, when Darwin was a student at the University of Edinburgh, to the end of 1859, when the Origin of Species was published. The early letters portray Darwin as a lively sixteen-year-old medical student. Two…
Matches: 1 hits
- … The letters in this volume span the years from 1825, when Darwin was a student at the University …
Species and varieties
Summary
On the origin of species by means of natural selection …so begins the title of Darwin’s most famous book, and the reader would rightly assume that such a thing as ‘species’ must therefore exist and be subject to description. But the title continues, …or…
Matches: 1 hits
- … On the origin of species by means of natural selection …so begins the title of Darwin’s most …
George Robert Waterhouse
Summary
George Waterhouse was born on 6 March 1810 in Somers Town, North London. His father was a solicitor’s clerk and an amateur lepidopterist. George was educated from 1821-24 at Koekelberg near Brussels. On his return he worked for a time as an apprentice to…
Matches: 1 hits
- … George Waterhouse was born on 6 March 1810 in Somers Town, North London. His father was a …
Thomas Burgess
Summary
As well as its complement of sailors, the Beagle also carried a Royal Marine sergeant and seven marines, one of whom was Thomas Burgess. When the Beagle set sail he was twenty one, having been born in October 1810 to Israel and Hannah Burgess of Lancashire…
Matches: 1 hits
- … As well as its complement of sailors, the Beagle also carried a Royal Marine sergeant and …
Darwin in letters, 1867: A civilised dispute
Summary
Charles Darwin’s major achievement in 1867 was the completion of his large work, The variation of animals and plants under domestication (Variation). The importance of Darwin’s network of correspondents becomes vividly apparent in his work on expression in…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Charles Darwin’s major achievement in 1867 was the completion of his large work, The …
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…
Matches: 1 hits
- … As an author, friend and correspondent, Charles Lyell played a crucial role in shaping Darwin's …
What did Darwin believe?
Summary
What did Darwin really believe about God? the Christian revelation? the implications of his theory of evolution for religious faith? These questions were asked again and again in the years following the publication of Origin of species (1859). They are…
Matches: 1 hits
- … What did Darwin really believe about God? the Christian revelation? the implications of his theory …
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: 1 hits
- … The Journal of researches , Darwin’s account of his travels round the world in H.M.S. Beagle …
Darwin and the Church
Summary
The story of Charles Darwin’s involvement with the church is one that is told far too rarely. It shows another side of the man who is more often remembered for his personal struggles with faith, or for his role in large-scale controversies over the…
Matches: 1 hits
- … The story of Charles Darwin’s involvement with the church is one that is told far too rarely. It …
1.2 George Richmond, marriage portrait
Summary
< Back to Introduction Few likenesses of Darwin in his youth survive, although more may once have existed. In a letter of 1873 an old Shrewsbury friend, Arthur Mostyn Owen, offered to send Darwin a watercolour sketch of him, painted many years…
Matches: 1 hits
- … < Back to Introduction Few likenesses of Darwin in his youth survive, although more …
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…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Charles Darwin’s observations on the development of his children,[1] began the research that …
