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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: 21 hits

… There are summaries of all Darwin's letters from the year 1879 on this website. The full texts …
… 27 of the print edition of The correspondence of Charles Darwin , published by Cambridge …
… to publish a biographical account of his grandfather Erasmus Darwin to accompany a translation of an …
… the sensitivity of the tips. Despite this breakthrough, when Darwin first mentioned the book to his …
… W. T. Thiselton-Dyer, [after 26] July [1879] ). From July, Darwin had an additional worry: the …
… that his grandfather had felt the same way. In 1792, Erasmus Darwin had written: ‘The worst thing I …
… all over like a baked pear’ ( enclosure in letter from R. W. Dixon, 20 December 1879 ). The year …
… contained a warmer note and the promise of future happiness: Darwin learned he was to be visited by …
… Hacon, 31 December 1879 ). Seventy years old Darwin’s seventieth birthday on 12 …
… the veteran of Modern Zoology’, but it was in Germany that Darwin was most fêted. A German …
… nice and good as could be’ ( letter from Karl Beger, [ c. 12 February 1879] ). The masters of …
… with Charles Darwin and Ernst Haeckel. Kosmos was, as Francis Darwin reported from Germany that …
… the children correctly’, mentioning in particular that Francis Galton was the son of one of Erasmus …
… of the Admiralty described the unknown young man as ‘A M r Darwin grandson of the well known …
… Darwin, 28 May [1879] ). On the Galton side of the family, Elizabeth Anne Wheler, who was pleased …
… him on 9 June not to ‘expend much powder & shot on M r Butler’, for he really was not worth …
… leaving Darwin ‘more perplexed than ever about life of D r . D’ ( letter to Francis Darwin, 12 …
… the highest point, for his “why”—“what for” &c are incessant’, Darwin joked on 2 July (first …
… In August, Bernard accompanied his grandparents, Aunt Elizabeth (Bessy) Darwin, and Henrietta and …
… is his profession tho’ not a profitable one; also D r C[lark]’s opinion that he was so likely to …
… and prevent ‘Cattle diseases, Potato diseases &c’, probably did not know that Darwin had already …

List of correspondents

Summary

Below is a list of Darwin's correspondents with the number of letters for each one. Click on a name to see the letters Darwin exchanged with that correspondent. "A child of God" (1) Abberley,…

Matches: 13 hits

… Below is a list of Darwin's correspondents with the number of letters for each one. …
… G. E. (1) Beaufort, Francis (5) …
… (1) Berliner Gesellschaft für Anthropologie, Ethnologie und Urgeschichte …
… Boole, M. E. (3) Boott, Francis (7) …
… Dareste, Camille (9) Darwin family (1) …
… Darwin, E. L. (1) Darwin, Elizabeth (9) …
… James (a) (5) Drysdale, Elizabeth (1) …
… Everest, Robert (1) Ewbank, Francis (1) …
… Fox, W. D. (225) Francis, George (1) …
… Galton, Erasmus (1) Galton, Francis (118) …
… Archibald (1) Lloyd, Francis (1) …
… Parker, Charles (2) Parker, Francis (1) …
… Charlotte (2) Wedgwood, Elizabeth (11) …

Referencing women’s work

Summary

Darwin's correspondence shows that women made significant contributions to Darwin's work, but whether and how they were acknowledged in print involved complex considerations of social standing, professional standing, and personal preference.…

Matches: 15 hits

… Darwin's correspondence shows that women made significant contributions to Darwin's work, …
… set of selected letters is followed by letters relating to Darwin's 1881 publication …
… throughout Variation . Letter 2395 - Darwin to Holland, Miss, [April 1860] …
… anonymised and masculinised. Letter 3316 - Darwin to Nevill, D. F., [12 November …
… Nevill is referenced by name for her “kindness” in Darwin’s Fertilisation of Orchids . …
… science critic. Letter 4370 - Wedgwood, L. C. to Darwin, [April - May 1865] …
… as “friends in Surrey”. Letter 4794 - Darwin to Lyell, C., [25 March 1865] …
… to state that the information was “received through Sir C. Lyell” or received from “Miss. B”. …
… in the final publication. Letter 7223 - Darwin to Wedgwood, L. C., [9 June 1867 - …
… infants identified by name in Expression was novelist Elizabeth Gaskell for her description …
… at him. Letter 7345 - Wedgwood, L. C. to Darwin, [15 June 1872] Darwin’s …
… Darwin, [4 January 1871] Darwin’s brother-in-law, Francis Wedgwood, sends the results of …
… near his house. Letter 8168 - Ruck, A. R. to Darwin, H., [20 January 1872] …
… worm castings . Letter 7345 - Wedgwood, L. C. to Darwin, [15 June 1872] …
… [1 November 1877] Darwin asks his sons, Horace and Francis , to observe earthworm activity …

Fake Darwin: myths and misconceptions

Summary

Many myths have persisted about Darwin's life and work. Here are a few of the more pervasive ones, with full debunking below...

Matches: 1 hits

… Many myths have persisted about Darwin's life and work. Here are a few of the more pervasive …

Darwin in letters, 1869: Forward on all fronts

Summary

At the start of 1869, Darwin was hard at work making changes and additions for a fifth edition of Origin. He may have resented the interruption to his work on sexual selection and human evolution, but he spent forty-six days on the task. Much of the…

Matches: 27 hits

… At the start of 1869, Darwin was hard at work making changes and additions for a fifth edition of …
… appeared at the end of 1866 and had told his cousin William Darwin Fox, ‘My work will have to stop a …
… material on emotional expression. Yet the scope of Darwin’s interests remained extremely broad, and …
… plants, and earthworms, subjects that had exercised Darwin for decades, and that would continue to …
… Carl von Nägeli and perfectibility Darwin’s most substantial addition to Origin was a …
… a Swiss botanist and professor at Munich (Nägeli 1865). Darwin had considered Nägeli’s paper …
… principal engine of change in the development of species. Darwin correctly assessed Nägeli’s theory …
… in most morphological features (Nägeli 1865, p. 29). Darwin sent a manuscript of his response (now …
… are & must be morphological’. The comment highlights Darwin’s apparent confusion about Nägeli’s …
… ‘purely morphological’. The modern reader may well share Darwin’s uncertainty, but Nägeli evidently …
… pp. 28–9). In further letters, Hooker tried to provide Darwin with botanical examples he could use …
… problems of heredity Another important criticism that Darwin sought to address in the fifth …
… prevailing theory of blending inheritance that Jenkin and Darwin both shared, would tend to be lost …
… ( Origin 5th ed., pp. 103–4). The terminology that Darwin and others employed in these matters ( …
… now see is possible or probable’ (see also letter to A. R. Wallace, 22 January [1869] , and …
… of information which I have sent prove of any service to M r . Darwin I can supply him with much …
… & proximate cause in regard to Man’ ( letter to A. R. Wallace, 14 April 1869 ). More …
… and the bird of paradise (Wallace 1869a; letter to A. R. Wallace, 22 March [1869] ), and …
… an injustice & never demands justice’ ( letter to A. R. Wallace, 14 April 1869 ). …
… species that Darwin had investigated in depth ( letter from C. F. Claus, 6 February 1869 ). In a …
… genus that he had studied in the early 1860s ( letter to W. C. Tait, 12 and 16 March 1869 ). This …
… whole meeting was decidedly Huxley’s answer to D r M c Cann. He literally poured boiling oil …
… of concern were received for months afterwards. Francis Galton: Hereditary genius and …
… Emma read aloud from a new book by Darwin’s half-cousin, Francis Galton. The work, Hereditary …
… is an eminently important difference’ ( letter to Francis Galton, 23 December [1869] ). …
… of inheritance through experiments on rabbits ( letter from Francis Galton, 11 December 1869 ). …
… the first to give me freedom of thought’ ( letter from Francis Galton, 24 December 1869 ). …

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: 26 hits

… Charles Darwin’s observations on the development of his children,[1] began the …
… is available below . As with much of his other work, Darwin gathered additional information on the …
… lunatics, the blind, and animals. And as early as 1839 Darwin had begun to collect information on …
… the expression of emotions. As the following transcript of Darwin’s notes reveals, he closely …
… William Erasmus, the stages of his development suggesting to Darwin those expressions which are …
… The tone of the manuscript reflects an aspect of Darwin’s character clearly perceived by Emma during …
… “What does that prove”.’[6] For in these notes, Darwin’s deep scientific curiosity transcends his …
… that on occasion he refers to William as ‘it’. Darwin possessed the ability to dissociate …
… memories.[8] Yet, though the dissociation was essential for Darwin’s scientific goal, the notes here …
… until September 1844. Parallels in the development of Anne Elizabeth , born 2 March 1841, were also …
… the record breaks off until January 1852, by which time the Darwin family had increased by five: …
… the onset of frowning, smiling, etc., as was the focus of Darwin’s attention on William and Anne, …
… of logical thought and language. On 20 May 1854, Darwin again took over the notebook and, …
… all the notes until July 1856, when the observations ceased. Darwin’s later entries, like Emma’s, …
… of muscles, without a corresponding sensation. D r . Holland[12] informs me children do not …
… 35 & to take a crust, when their pudding was finished.— Elizabeth [45] remarked him careful …
… trowsers. Emma one morning put on an unconspicuous bonnet of C. Langton,[52] W. instantly observed …
… flower garden perceived them, said they were not Dziver’s (Elizabeth ’s) flowers. ie were not natural …
… very contradictory; by mistake he one day graciously gave Elizabeth a kiss, but repenting said …
… she added an s to the end of every word “Ettis & Bettis &c afterwards all the ws were turned …
… goed dawn to the willage”. Fish for Smith. Kaw for cow. &c. Lenny[61] 2 years old speaks …
… any thing with my egg. Miss Th. Shall I cut up y r meat? L. I don’t care whether you do or …
… “But I could not help it”— I said “Lenny you c d help it, don’t say that”. “I could not help it a …
… by Emma Darwin must have been added on 19 January 1877, when Francis Darwin’s son Bernard was …
… information is given. [57] Emma Darwin’s brother Francis (Frank) Wedgwood lived at Etruria …
… [61] Leonard Darwin, born 1850. [62] Francis Darwin, born 1848. [63] Sarah was …

Darwin in letters, 1868: Studying sex

Summary

The quantity of Darwin’s correspondence increased dramatically in 1868 due largely to his ever-widening research on human evolution and sexual selection.Darwin’s theory of sexual selection as applied to human descent led him to investigate aspects of the…

Matches: 24 hits

… On 6 March 1868, Darwin wrote to the entomologist and accountant John Jenner Weir, ‘If any …
… he ought to do what I am doing pester them with letters.’ Darwin was certainly true to his word. The …
… and sexual selection. In Origin , pp. 87–90, Darwin had briefly introduced the concept of …
… process. In a letter to Alfred Russel Wallace in 1864, Darwin claimed that sexual selection was ‘the …
… to the stridulation of crickets. At the same time, Darwin continued to collect material on …
… his immediate circle of friends and relations. In July 1868 Darwin was still anticipating that his …
… which was devoted to sexual selection in the animal kingdom. Darwin described his thirst for …
… in January 1868. A final delay caused by the indexing gave Darwin much vexation. ‘My book is …
… 1867 and had expected to complete it in a fortnight. But at Darwin’s request, he modified his …
… the text. This increased the amount of work substantially. Darwin asked Murray to intervene, …
… … though it would be a great loss to the Book’. But Darwin’s angry letter to Murray crossed one from …
… blank’ ( letter from W. S. Dallas, 8 January 1868 ). Darwin sympathised, replying on 14 January …
… as stone, if it were not quite mollified by your note’. Darwin enclosed a cheque to Dallas for £55 …
… it was by Gray himself, but Darwin corrected him: ‘D r Gray would strike me in the face, but not …
… . It is a disgrace to the paper’ ( letter from A. R. Wallace, 24 February [1868] ). The review was …
… April 1868 . The letter was addressed to ‘the Rev d C. Darwin M.d’; Binstead evidently assumed …
… I did not see this, or rather I saw it only obs[c]urely, & have kept only a few references.’ …
… collector in his student days, Darwin encouraged his son Francis , now an undergraduate at Cambridge, …
… as life he wd find the odour sexual!’ ( letter to A . R. Wallace, 16 September [1868] ). Francis …
… Edmund Langton wrote from the south of France to Sarah Elizabeth Wedgwood on 9 Novembe r, …
… of her two-month old daughter Katherine ( letter from C. M. Hawkshaw to Emma Darwin, 9 February …
… vaccination ( letter from W. E. Darwin, [7 April 1868] ). Francis was also drafted into the …
… Africa, Darwin received from Hooker an account by Mary Elizabeth Barber of local variations in the …
… rest mostly on faith, and on accumulation of adaptations, &c) … Of course I understand your …

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: 23 hits

… 1874 was one of consolidation, reflection, and turmoil for Darwin. He spent the early months working …
… 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 …
… from W. D. Fox, 8 May [1874] ). Such reminiscences led Darwin to the self-assessment, ‘as for one …
… I feel very old & helpless The year started for Darwin with a week’s visit to …
… Andrew Clark, whom he had been consulting since August 1873. Darwin had originally thought that …
… ( letter to B. J. Sulivan, 6 January [1874] ). Darwin mentioned his poor health so frequently in …
… 1874 ). Séances, psychics, and sceptics Darwin excused himself for reasons of …
… by George Henry Lewes and Marian Evans (George Eliot), but Darwin excused himself, finding it too …
… the month, another Williams séance was held at the home of Darwin’s cousin Hensleigh Wedgwood. Those …
… imposter’ ( letter from T. H. Huxley, 27 January 1874 ). Darwin agreed that it was ‘all imposture’ …
… Descent was published in November 1874 ( letter from R. F. Cooke, 12 November 1874 ). Though …
… had cost twenty-four shillings.) Murray’s partner, Robert Francis Cooke, informed Darwin that the …
… on subsequent print runs would be very good ( letter from R. F. Cooke, 12 November 1874 ). …
… (see G. B. Airy ed. 1881). Darwin’s third son Francis married Amy Ruck, the sister of a …
… work on insectivorous plants. Amy drew a plant and Francis was disappointed that they seemed not to …
… 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 ). …
… letter John Murray, 9 May [1874] ). He communicated Mary Elizabeth Barber’s paper on the pupae of …
… 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 …

Darwin in letters, 1880: Sensitivity and worms

Summary

‘My heart & soul care for worms & nothing else in this world,’ Darwin wrote to his old Shrewsbury friend Henry Johnson on 14 November 1880. Darwin became fully devoted to earthworms in the spring of the year, just after finishing the manuscript of…

Matches: 24 hits

… heart & soul care for worms & nothing else in this world,’ Darwin wrote to his old …
… to adapt to varying conditions. The implications of Darwin’s work for the boundary between animals …
… studies of animal instincts by George John Romanes drew upon Darwin’s early observations of infants, …
… of evolution and creation. Many letters flowed between Darwin and his children, as he took delight …
… Financial support for science was a recurring issue, as Darwin tried to secure a Civil List pension …
… with Samuel Butler, prompted by the publication of Erasmus Darwin the previous year. …
… Charles Harrison Tindal, sent a cache of letters from two of Darwin’s grandfather’s clerical friends …
… divines to see a pig’s body opened is very amusing’, Darwin replied, ‘& that about my …
… registry offices, and produced a twenty-page history of the Darwin family reaching back to the …
… the world’ ( letter from J. L. Chester, 3 March 1880 ). Darwin’s sons George and Leonard also …
… and conciliate a few whose ancestors had not featured in Darwin’s Life . ‘In an endeavour to …
… by anticipation the position I have taken as regards D r Erasmus Darwin in my book Evolution old …
… to the end’, added her husband Richard ( letter from R. B. Litchfield, 1 February 1880 ). Even the …
… Mr Butler whatever.’ Power of movement With Francis ’s assistance, the last of Darwin’s …
… shake their heads in the same dismal manner as you & M r . Murray did, when I told them my …
… of the nervous system, and the nature of ‘sensitivity’. Francis Balfour described Movement in …
… in a book about beetles the impressive words “captured by C. Darwin”. … This seemed to me glory …
… ‘but the subject has amused me’ ( letter to W. C. McIntosh, 18 June 1880 ). Members of the family …
… the intake of stones and flints to aid digestion. He asked Francis to check for castings on old …
… rightly thought the ‘queer subject’ of interest to Francis Galton, who had already taken thumb …
… extending the study to public-school pupils ( letter to Francis Galton, 7 April 1880 , and …
… great doctrines …“Come of Age”‘ ( letter from W. C. Williamson to Emma Darwin, 2 September 1880 ). …
… for the Wedgwood nieces. Later in the year, Emma’s sister Elizabeth Wedgwood died at her home, …
… his voice as clearly as if he were present’ (letters to C. W. Fox, 29 March 1880 and 10 [April …

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: 27 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 …
… are not found listed here. The description given by Francis Darwin of his father’s method of …
… Darwin Library (AC.34). Darwin’s books were bequeathed to Francis Darwin, who, in 1908, gave all but …
… to be available to scholars using the archive. Books that Francis Darwin had kept were left to his …
… 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 …
… 1828] 31 An analysis of British Ferns. G. W. Francis 4 s [Francis 1837]— plates of …
… [Fellows 1839] Catherine 48 Life of Collins R.A. [Collins 1848] Phases of Faith …
… th . Hume’s Hist of England [Hume 1763]. to beginning of Elizabeth . Sept 14 th . 4 first …
… on chemistry (Liebig 1851). 50 Probably Elizabeth Wedgwood. 51 This …
… 1848. Memoirs of the life of William Collins, Esq., R.A. 2 vols. London. *119: 23; 119: …
… of the Devereux, Earls of Essex, in the reigns of Elizabeth , James I., and Charles I., 1540 …
… of England from the fall of Wolsey to the death of Elizabeth . 12 vols. London. 1856–70. 128: …
… 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 …

Darwin in letters, 1851-1855: Death of a daughter

Summary

The letters from these years reveal the main preoccupations of Darwin’s life with a new intensity. The period opens with a family tragedy in the death of Darwin’s oldest and favourite daughter, Anne, and it shows how, weary and mourning his dead child,…

Matches: 21 hits

… letters from these years reveal the main preoccupations of Darwin’s life with a new intensity. The …
… life but I trust happy The anguish felt by Darwin is painfully expressed in letters …
… speak of her again. Yet the family gradually recovered, Darwin’s monographs were printed, and Darwin …
… to the cirripedes. Before turning to his species work, Darwin somewhat ruefully recorded in his …
… monographs by natural history societies, though welcomed by Darwin, did not run smoothly. …
… the Correspondence describes the major achievements of Darwin’s cirripede work as a whole and …
… societies, which were supported by subscriptions, was that Darwin’s volumes were not publicly …
… in Germany at the forefront of work in invertebrate zoology, Darwin began a correspondence with …
… provided the foundations for a relationship with Darwin that soon developed into a valued friendship …
… April 1854, when his cirripede study was drawing to a close, Darwin re-entered London scientific …
… with lots of claret is what I want Perhaps Darwin’s decision to take a more active …
… to substantiate it is manifest in the correspondence. Darwin’s friends and colleagues were …
… outspoken young naturalists like Huxley, reacted eagerly to Darwin’s suggestions, although not …
… for the geographical distribution of animals and plants. Darwin began a series of researches on the …
… with the effects of known changes in climate and geology. Darwin boldly rejected the popular idea of …
… Some of the most interesting letters in this volume set out Darwin’s practical researches and …
… Variation and extinction The other main focus of Darwin’s research centred on determining the …
… seeds and bees An interest in variation naturally led Darwin to study the works of plant …
… views concerning decreased fertility of hybrids, Darwin began in the spring of 1855 a series of …
… a subject to which he returned in later years. Darwin also undertook experiments relating to …
… classification Hybridism, domestic animals & plants &c &c &c) to see how far they …

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,…

Matches: 10 hits

… activities for building and maintaining such connections. Darwin's networks extended from his …
… when strong institutional structures were largely absent. Darwin had a small circle of scientific …
… section contains two sets of letters. The first is between Darwin and his friend Kew botanist J. D. …
… about Hooker’s thoughts. Letter 729 — Darwin, C. R. to Hooker, J. D., [11 Jan 1844] …
… is like confessing a murder”. Letter 736 — Darwin, C. R. to Hooker, J. D., 23 Feb [1844 …
… of wide-ranging species to wide-ranging genera. Darwin and Gray Letter 1674 …
… of the species. Letter 1685 — Gray, Asa to Darwin, C. R., 22 May 1855 Gray …
… flora in the USA. Letter 2125 — Darwin, C. R. to Gray, Asa, 20 July [1857] Darwin …
… accepted, as did Henslow himself. Darwin will talk to Capt. Francis Beaufort [Hydrographer] and …
… In this letter, naturalist, artist, and writer Mary Elizabeth Barber replies to Queries on …

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: 23 hits

… The seven-year period following Darwin's return to England from the Beagle voyage was one …
… a family Busy as he was with scientific activities, Darwin found time to re-establish family …
… close contact. In November 1838, two years after his return, Darwin became engaged to his cousin, …
… 1842, the family, now increased by a daughter, Anne Elizabeth , moved to Down House in Kent, where …
… his greatest theoretical achievement, the most important of Darwin’s activities during the years …
… identifications of his bird and fossil mammal specimens, Darwin arrived at the daring and momentous …
… ideas on a wide range of topics. Then, in September 1838, T. R. Malthus’ An essay on the principle …
… in species. With this new theoretical point of departure Darwin continued to make notes and explore …
… present in the version of 1859. Young author Darwin’s investigation of the species …
… the Beagle had returned to England, news of some of Darwin’s findings had been spread by the …
… great excitement. The fuller account of the voyage and Darwin’s discoveries was therefore eagerly …
… suitable categories for individual experts to work upon, Darwin applied himself to the revision of …
… of the surveying voyage of H.M.S. Adventure and Beagle. Darwin’s volume bore the title Journal …
… visited by H.M.S. Beagle . Also in November 1837, Darwin read the fourth of a series of papers to …
… to the Society of 9 March 1838), had been developed by Darwin from a suggestion made by his uncle, …
… Sedgwick, [after 15 May 1838] ). The new research Darwin undertook after 1837 was an …
… Fossil Mammalia , by Richard Owen; Mammalia , by G. R. Waterhouse; Birds , by John Gould; …
… publications. The beetles were described by F. W. Hope, G. R. Waterhouse, and C. C. Babington; the …
… all crosses between all domestic birds & animals dogs, cats &c &c very valuable—' …
… on literature in this field and on friends like Henslow, T. C. Eyton, and W. D. Fox, who were …
… the practice of systematists. As the correspondence with G. R. Waterhouse during the 1840s shows, …
… same, though I know what I am looking for' ( Letter to G. R. Waterhouse, [26 July 1843] ). …
… [20 February 1840] , ‘as usual has been my enemy—but D r . Holland tells me he thinks it is only …

Darwin in letters, 1865: Delays and disappointments

Summary

The year was marked by three deaths of personal significance to Darwin: Hugh Falconer, a friend and supporter; Robert FitzRoy, captain of the Beagle; and William Jackson Hooker, director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and father of Darwin’s friend…

Matches: 19 hits

… In 1865, the chief work on Charles Darwin’s mind was the writing of The variation of animals and …
… letters on climbing plants to make another paper. Darwin also submitted a manuscript of his …
… protégé, John Scott, who was now working in India. Darwin’s transmutation theory continued to …
… Argyll, appeared in the religious weekly, Good Words . Darwin received news of an exchange of …
… Butler, and, according to Butler, the bishop of Wellington. Darwin’s theory was discussed at an …
… in the Gardeners’ Chronicle . At the end of the year, Darwin was elected an honorary member of …
… year was marked by three deaths of personal significance to Darwin: Hugh Falconer, a friend of …
… in August. There was also a serious dispute between two of Darwin’s friends, John Lubbock and …
… jolly’ ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 7 January [1865] ). Darwin was ready to submit his paper on …
… a sudden illness. Falconer was 56, almost the same age as Darwin himself. Falconer had seconded …
… supported his candidacy, and had tried hard to persuade Darwin to accept the award in person (see …
… the award ( see letter from Hugh Falconer to Erasmus Alvey Darwin, 3 January 1865 ). Erasmus …
… Darwin had received a copy of Müller’s book, Fü r Darwin , a study of the Crustacea with reference …
… … inheritance, reversion, effects of use & disuse &c’, and which he intended to publish in …
… He wrote to Hooker, ‘I doubt whether you or I or any one c d do any good in healing this breach. …
… Hooker’s behalf, ‘He asks if you saw the article of M r . Croll in the last Reader on the …
… , and letter from Edward Cresy, 10 September 1865 ). Francis and Leonard were still at school in …
… Wales rented by the Hensleigh Wedgwoods for the summer, and Elizabeth was evidently attending school …
… ‘As for your thinking that you do not deserve the C[opley] Medal,’ he rebuked Hooker, ‘that I …

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: 23 hits

… The story of Charles Darwin’s involvement with the church is one that is told far too rarely. It …
… unique window into this complicated relationship throughout Darwin’s life, as it reveals his …
… belief (and doubt) than many non-conformist denominations. Darwin’s parents attended a Unitarian …
… the necessary studies to be a clergyman. During Darwin’s lifetime, the vast majority of the …
… income was essential to enjoy a gentlemanly lifestyle. For Darwin, who could rely on the financial …
… compatible with the pursuit of scientific interests. Indeed, Darwin’s Cambridge mentor, John Stevens …
… (Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine (1887): 321). Darwin started on his journey around the world …
… it even through a grove of Palms.—’ (letter to Caroline Darwin, 25–6 April [1832] ). Darwin’s …
… Museum or some other learned place’ (letter from E. A. Darwin, 18 August [1832] ). Writing to Fox …
… about—’ (letter to W. D. Fox, [9–12 August] 1835 ). Darwin’s doubts about orthodox belief, and …
… in 1838 and 1839, as can be read here. In the end, Darwin chose a middle course—a life of ease in …
… within six years of his return from the Beagle voyage, Darwin moved to Down House, in the …
… where their children Mary and Charles were buried; later Darwin’s brother Erasmus, Emma’s sister …
… of Emma, whose religious scruples are discussed here. But Darwin’s correspondence reveals his own …
… Although he was not the principal landowner in Down, Darwin was a gentleman of means, and clearly …
… made inroads on Anglican authority in the countryside. The Darwin family took an interest in, and …
… Many of the letters highlighted in this section focus on Darwin’s long-standing relationship with …
… To the end of his life Innes refused to be persuaded by Darwin’s theory of evolution, but …
… cordial; in the first extant letter of the correspondence, Darwin wrote to Innes expressing concern …
… letter of 1854 in which he said, From all I have seen of M r Innes’ conduct towards the poor &amp …
… Innes informed Darwin that though he ‘heard all good of M r . Ffinden’s moral character, his …
… an interesting letter from Darwin to the evangelist J. W. C. Fegan. Darwin whole-heartedly supported …
… Darwin, including an autobiographical chapter . Edited by Francis Darwin. 3 vols. London: John …

Darwin in letters, 1858-1859: Origin

Summary

The years 1858 and 1859 were, without doubt, the most momentous of Darwin’s life. From a quiet rural existence filled with steady work on his ‘big book’ on species, he was jolted into action by the arrival of an unexpected letter from Alfred Russel Wallace…

Matches: 26 hits

… 1858 and 1859 were, without doubt, the most momentous of Darwin’s life. From a quiet rural existence …
… Russel Wallace. This letter led to the first announcement of Darwin’s and Wallace’s respective …
… the composition and publication, in November 1859, of Darwin’s major treatise On the origin of …
… exceeded my wildest hopes By the end of 1859, Darwin’s work was being discussed in …
… Charles Lyell, 25 [November 1859] ). This transformation in Darwin’s personal world and the …
… The 'big book' The year 1858 opened with Darwin hard at work preparing his ‘big …
… his ninth chapter, on hybridism, on 29 December 1857, Darwin began in January 1858 to prepare the …
… appropriate. The correspondence shows that at any one time Darwin was engaged in a number of …
… The chapter on instinct posed a number of problems for Darwin. ‘I find my chapter on Instinct very …
… ). In addition to behaviour such as nest-building in birds, Darwin intended to discuss many other …
… celebrated as a classic example of divine design in nature. Darwin hypothesised that the instinct of …
… of construction as it took place in the hive. As with Darwin’s study of poultry and pigeons, …
… founder and president of the Apiarian Society, provided Darwin with information and specimens. His …
… For assistance with mathematical measurements and geometry, Darwin called upon William Hallowes …
… from the Beagle voyage; on his brother, Erasmus Alvey Darwin; and his son William. Even his …
… bees and bee-hives. Variation and reversion Darwin also continued the botanical work …
… of smaller genera? The inquiry was of great importance to Darwin, for such evidence would support …
… of the statistics was still problematic. Hooker thought that Darwin was wrong to assume that …
… were not certain. This was a question new to the experts. Darwin was delighted to hear from Asa Gray …
… completed and his results written up. With some trepidation, Darwin sent his manuscript off to …
… work—& that I confess made me a little low—but I c d . have borne it, for I have the …
… in the letters of 1858 also relate to questions that Darwin had begun to explore earlier. Letters to …
… rush to publish With much of his research completed, Darwin began in mid-June 1858 to write …
… letter as having been received ‘today’. Following Francis Darwin ( LL 2: 116–17) and relying on …
… it is impossible that men like Lyell, Hooker, Huxley, H. C. Watson, Ramsay &c would change their …
… inherited his illhealth revived as first Henrietta and then Elizabeth and Leonard suffered similar …

Darwin on childhood

Summary

On his engagement to his cousin, Emma Wedgwood, in 1838, Darwin wrote down his recollections of his early childhood. Life. Written August–– 1838 My earliest recollection, the date of which I can approximately tell, and which must have been before…

Matches: 8 hits

… On his engagement to his cousin, Emma Wedgwood, in 1838, Darwin wrote down his recollections of his …
… [4] 1817. 8½ old went to M r Cases school.–– I remember how very much I was …
… or before I had smattered in botany, & certainly when at M r Case’s school I was very fond of …
… like a tragedy.–– I recollect when at M r Cases, inventing a whole fabric to show how fond …
… any mental pursuits excepting those of collecting stones &c.––gardening, & about this time …
… ships. —— In midsummer of this year I went to D r . Butlers school.–– I well recollect the …
… it remained the residence of Catherine (Kitty) and Sarah Elizabeth (Sarah) Wedgwood, CD’s aunts. …
… DAR 91: 56–62. A modernised transcription was published by Francis Darwin in More Letters of Charles …

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: 23 hits

… obtain such a one I was (in a manner) compelled to take Mr Darwin on a far too independent footing. …
… fond of Natural History”… Not all pictures of Darwin during the Beagle voyage are …
… in 1836 to the Cocos Keeling islands, the only coral atoll Darwin observed first-hand. The satire, …
… didn’t meet them personally, Ross took bitter exception to Darwin and FitzRoy’s later accounts of …
… Anderson John Clunies Ross’ satire, written c.1848, is a fascinating document. It is …
… captain, Robert FitzRoy and his naturalist companion Charles Darwin. Ross’ unique perspective on the …
… foreman on the one hand and the texts written by FitzRoy and Darwin on the other. We can certainly …
… but by no means least, the coral reef theories of Charles Darwin. (For that particular concern see …
… interest. Ross’ picture of both FitzRoy and Darwin on this voyage is unlike any others we …
… influenced Ross’ own enterprises. His attitude to Darwin was somewhat less resentful, but still …
… at home. Finally, according to Ross, neither man wrote well: Darwin was trite and conventional , …
… in FitzRoy’s voice, but some footnotes are signed “J.C.R.” and there are editorial interventions in …
… and are marked in roman numerals. Others relate to Darwin’s 1839 or 1845 volumes and Belcher’s …
… Shetland. The eldest son of a teacher, George Cluness and Elizabeth Ross of Yell, Ross became a …
… He went to sea first in a Greenland whaler aged thirteen, c.1800. In 1812, aged 25, while on a …
… to settle before continuing to London. In 1820 he married Elizabeth Dymoke (1795-1853) in London. …
… until the late twentieth century. Alexander Hare (c.1770-1834) was a British merchant who …
… from “Headquarters” (i.e. the Admiralty) drawn up by Francis Beaufort in 1830. FitzRoy’s account of …
… as John Murray’s publication of the new edition of Darwin’s Beagle journal was achieving success …
… to depression and died by suicide in 1865. Charles Darwin (1809-1882) A young naturalist, …
… to his death. Capt. Alexander Albert Sandilands, R.N. (c.1786-1832) of HMS Comet …
… Calcutta journal, Gleanings in Science . Capt Francis Harding, R.N. (1799 - 1875) In …
… to Bencoolen in his ship Harriet . Joseph C. Raymond, a seaman from a British ship …

Darwin Correspondence Project

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