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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…

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… 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 …
… the sensitivity of the tips. Despite this breakthrough, when Darwin first mentioned the book to his …
… 1879 ). He was also unsatisfied with his account of Erasmus Darwin, declaring, ‘My little biography …
… to Francis Galton, 15 [June 1879] ). Even the prospect of a holiday in the Lake District in August …
… an additional worry: the engagement of his son Horace to Ida Farrer, stepdaughter of Darwin’s niece …
… old age, which creeps slily upon one, like moss upon a tree, and wrinkles one all over like a baked …
… & would please Francis’, he pointed out ( letter from E. A. Darwin, 13 March [1879 ]). …
… with the when & the where, & the who—’ ( letter from V. H. Darwin, 28 May [1879] ). On the …
… thought ‘perfect in every way’ ( letter from E. A. Wheler, 25 March 1879 ). She suggested that …
… and well, and with little fatigue’ ( letter to G. H. Darwin, 12 July 1879 , and letter from …
… to W. T. Thiselton-Dyer, 5 June 1879 , and letter to G. H. Darwin, 12 July 1879 ). Darwin’s …
… … neither cross nor ennuied’ (Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin, [4 August 1879] (DAR 219.1: 125)). Darwin …
… The other cloud on the horizon was Thomas Henry Farrer’s objection to the engagement between his …
… wait for three months. ‘Nothing can be more useless than T.H’s conduct’, Emma Darwin pointed out, …
… say that he has opposed it’ (letter from Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin, [4 August 1879] (DAR 219.1: …
… get home ‘& began drumming at once’ (Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield, [27 August 1879] (DAR 219 …
… it dominated the picture (letter from Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield, [17 July 1879] (DAR 219.9: …
… men of science quarrelled (letter from Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin, [6 September 1879] (DAR 219.1: …
… agreed to their engagement being made public ( letter from T. H. Farrer, 12 October 1879 ). Darwin …

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,…

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… Below is a list of Darwin's correspondents with the number of letters for each one. …
… Dareste, Camille (9) Darwin family (1) …

Volume 29 (1881) is published!

Summary

In October 1881, Darwin published his last book, The formation of vegetable mould through the action of worms: with observations on their habits. A slim volume on a subject that many people could understand and on which they had their own opinions, it went…

Matches: 12 hits

… From the start of 1881, Darwin had his demise on his mind. He increasingly relied on his son William …
… provision for the dividing of his wealth after his death. Darwin’s gloominess was compounded by the …
… of his book on earthworms, published in October, was a boost. His 5-year-old grandson Bernard, who …
… with which the book has been received. Letter t o Francis Darwin, 9 November [1881] …
… as for its success. Letter to A. B. Buckley, 4 January 1881 In …
… Arabella Burton Buckley had suggested the possibility, and Darwin, with her help, wrote a memorial …
… ‘There is no one living to whose kindness in such a matter I could feel myself indebted with so much …
… The Darwins spent June in the Lake District, a family holiday which Darwin contemplated with his …
… Marianne North visited in July: ‘He sat on the grass under a shady tree, and talked deliciously on …
… Letter to W. E. Darwin, 4 August [1881] In early …
… me admirable. Letter to T. H. Farrer, 28 August 1881 Darwin …
… Letter t o B. J. Sulivan, 1 December 1881 …

Darwin's in letters, 1873: Animal or vegetable?

Summary

Having laboured for nearly five years on human evolution, sexual selection, and the expression of emotions, Darwin was able to devote 1873 almost exclusively to his beloved plants. He resumed work on the digestive powers of sundews and Venus fly traps, and…

Matches: 19 hits

… evolution, sexual selection, and the expression of emotions, Darwin was able to devote 1873 almost …
… (1875) and Cross and self fertilisation (1876). Darwin’s son Francis became increasingly …
… the previous year. As was typical, readers wrote to Darwin personally to offer suggestions, …
… Francis Galton’s work on inherited talent, which prompted Darwin to reflect on the traits and …
… the main focus of Darwin’s study of insectivorous plants, a group that also included the Venus fly …
… and even electrical stimulation. On sending Darwin a specimen of the carnivorous Drosophyllum …
… tentacles to bend inward, so that the plant closed like a fist. Darwin was fascinated by this …
… seemed analogous to muscular contraction in animals: “a nerve is touched … a sensation is felt” ( …
… but not in others. He encouraged research by Thomas Henry Farrer on a complex floral structure in …
… “You are the man to conquer Coronilla”, he wrote to Farrer, “One may feel sure that primordially …
… flower would become modified & correlated” ( letter to T. H. Farrer, 14 August 1873 ). …
… assistance from his son Francis. While visiting his fiancée, Amy Ruck, in Wales, Francis observed …
… and if so more places will be created” ( letter to E. A. Darwin, 20 September 1873 ). Erasmus, who …
… family being fit for continuous work” ( letter from E. A. Darwin, 25 September [1873] ). Shortly …
… throat like a bulldog” ( letter from L. M. Forster to H. E. Litchfield, 20 February 1873 ). The …
… could be transmitted to its offspring ( letter from J. T. Moggridge, 1 February 1873 ). …
… it would offend his father ( enclosure to letter from T. H. Huxley, 3 December 1873 ). In …
… we should feel it a privilege to offer” ( letter from E. F. Lubbock, [before 7 April 1873] ). …
… happiness to us to the last day of our lives” ( letter to T. H. Huxley, 23 April 1873 ). Huxley …

Darwin in letters, 1878: Movement and sleep

Summary

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

Matches: 16 hits

… lessen injury to leaves from radiation In 1878, Darwin devoted most of his attention to …
… in this process. Working closely with his son Francis, Darwin devised a series of experiments to …
… plant laboratories in Europe. While Francis was away, Darwin delighted in his role as …
… the mental faculties of the two-year-old with those of a monkey. Another diversion from botanical …
… agent of progress. The year closed with remarkable news of a large legacy bequeathed to Darwin by a …
… birthday ( letter to Ernst Haeckel, 12 February [1878] ), Darwin reflected that it was ‘more …
… Expression ), and the final revision of Origin (1872), Darwin had turned almost exclusively to …
… position assumed by leaves at night (nyctitropism) was a protection against heat loss. ‘I think we …
… me much & has cost us great labour, as it has been a problem since the time of Linnaus. But we …
… Movement in plants In the spring of 1878, Darwin started to focus on the first shoots and …
… were enrolled as researchers, as were family members. Darwin asked his niece Sophy to observe …
… from Francis Darwin, [22 June 1878] ). ‘Sachs doesn’t consider that there is any puzzle as to how …
… he was unwell. ‘I was rather seedy last night & didn’t appear at the laboratory & this …
… publish it. While he was in London, Darwin consulted Thomas Farrer at the Board of Trade, who …
… 28 [February 1878] ). Further meetings were held with Farrer and James Caird, a member of the Royal …
… of the sight of which you must be sick’, he wrote to Farrer on 13 March 1878 . ‘Mr. Torbitt’s …

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: 14 hits

… On 6 March 1868, Darwin wrote to the entomologist and accountant John Jenner Weir, ‘If any …
… and sexual selection. In Origin , pp. 87–90, Darwin had briefly introduced the concept of …
… or in satisfying female preference in the mating process. In a letter to Alfred Russel Wallace in …
… 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 …
… early as 1865, the two-volume work appeared in January 1868. A final delay caused by the indexing …
… classes, a dim ray of light may be gained’ ( letter to H. T. Stainton, 21 February [1868] ). From …
… and had himself watched elephants cry (letters to W. E. Darwin, [15 March 1868] and 8 April …
… began a long correspondence on orchids with Thomas Henry Farrer, permanent secretary to the Board of …
… of the caudicle of Ophrys muscifera (letters from T. H. Farrer, 17 May 1868 and 18 May …
… sacrificed to Public life.’ Farrer replied: ‘You don’t know how kind I think your note. This …
… induced him to stay away ( letter from S. J. O’H. Horsman, 2 June [1868] ). But if Horsman …
… life time— I am preparing to go into opposition— I can’t stand it’. Diplomas and honorary …

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: 17 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 …
… views on all points will have to be modified.— Well it is a beginning, & that is something’ ( …
… 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 …
… 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 …
… would no doubt do if we had proper data to go by, but don’t think we have got that yet’ ( letter …
… been less deferential towards [Thomson]’ ( letter to T. H. Huxley, 19 March [1869] ). …
… and fossil discoveries in Patagonia and Wales ( letter from T. H. Huxley, 7 May 1869 , letter …
… greater fools of themselves than they did’ ( letter from T. H. Huxley, 28 September 1869 ). …
… criticism was noted in a letter from Thomas Henry Farrer, who had been reading some of Delpino’s …
… into which … I do not care to follow him’ ( letter from T. H. Farrer, 9 October 1869 ). Farrer …
… and Will and High Design—’ (letter from T. H. Farrer, 13 October 1869). Darwin was …

Darwin in letters, 1876: In the midst of life

Summary

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

Matches: 20 hits

… The year 1876 started out sedately enough with Darwin working on the first draft of his book on the …
… games. ‘I have won, hurrah, hurrah, 2795 games’, Darwin boasted; ‘my wife … poor creature, has won …
… and cosseting regarding the ailments that were so much a feature of Darwin family life. But the calm …
… Cross and self fertilisation , that the family suffered a devastating loss. The Darwins must have …
… expected in September. Their joy at the safe delivery of a healthy boy was soon replaced by anguish …
… his anxiety about Francis. By the end of the year there was a different order at Down House with …
… Year's resolutions Darwin began the year by making a resolution. He would in future …
… Origin for the very last time, and made minor changes to a reprint of the second edition of …
… cast by the ‘poorest curs in London’ ( letter to W. T. Thiselton-Dyer, [4 February 1876] ). …
… Encyclopaedia Britannica the previous year ( letter to G. H. Darwin, [after 4 September 1876] ). …
… ‘all I can say is do not commit suicide’ ( letter to G. H. Darwin, [4 June 1876] ). By midsummer, …
… a set of sons I have, all doing wonders.’ ( Letter to G. H. Darwin, 13 July [1876]. ) A …
… and eczema, was able to rest his mind ( letter to G. H. Darwin, 2 May [1876] ). Darwin even …
… we have & you are one of the best of all’ ( letter to W. E. Darwin, 11 September [1876] ). …
… she confided to Henrietta (letter from Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield, [31 August 1876] (DAR 219.9: …
… herself & is so tender’ (letter from Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin, [13 September 1876] (DAR 210.6 …
… completed autobiography (letter from Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin, [13 September 1876] (DAR 210.6: …
… horticulturists and agriculturists in France ( letter from E. M. Heckel, 27 December 1876 ). In …
… 1876] ). A more typical British reaction came from Thomas Farrer, who was struck by Darwin’s novel …
… been the subject of mere observation’ ( letter from T. H. Farrer, 31 December 1876 ). The Swiss …

Darwin in letters, 1881: Old friends and new admirers

Summary

In May 1881, Darwin, one of the best-known celebrities in England if not the world, began writing about all the eminent men he had met. He embarked on this task, which formed an addition to his autobiography, because he had nothing else to do. He had…

Matches: 19 hits

… In May 1881, Darwin, one of the best-known celebrities in England if not the world, began …
… restrict himself to ‘more confined & easy subjects’. A month earlier, on 23 February , he had …
… sweetest place on this earth’. From the start of the year, Darwin had his demise on his mind. He …
… provision for the dividing of his wealth after his death. Darwin’s gloominess was compounded by the …
… of his book on earthworms, published in October, was a boost. His 5-year-old grandson Bernard, who …
… Evolution old and new when revising his essay on Erasmus Darwin’s scientific work, and that Darwin …
… on 8 December. Krause countered Butler’s accusations in a review of Unconscious memory in …
… Kosmos article should be translated and also appear in a British journal. Darwin could see that …
… seasoned journalist and editor Leslie Stephen. There was ‘a hopeless division of opinion’ within the …
… decided to print ‘500 more, making 2000’ ( letter to H. E. Litchfield, 4 January 1881 ). Unlike …
… very surprising the whole case is to me’ (letters to W. E. Darwin, 31 January [1881] and 19 …
… of such plants, especially annuals ( letter to W. T. Thiselton-Dyer, 21 March [1881] ). Darwin …
… with you’, a Swedish teacher told him ( letter from C. E. Södling, 14 October 1881 ), while H. M. …
… little, to the general stock of knowledge’ ( letter to E. W. Bok, 10 May 1881 ). Josef Popper, an …
… in heaven’ when the portrait was finished ( letter to G. H. Darwin, 23 July 1881 ). ‘All my family …
… absurd for one with no pretensions’ (l etter from W. E. Darwin, 13 January [1881 ]), Darwin …
… after expressing their wish to visit Darwin ( letter from E. B. Aveling, 27 September [1881] ). …
… was nearly 40 years ago!’ Darwin, himself, told Thomas Farrer on 28 August , ‘The death of my …
… the terms of the 1876 Cruelty to Animals Act ( letter to T. L. Brunton, 19 November 1881 ). Darwin …

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: 19 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 …
… and observations. Financial support for science was a recurring issue, as Darwin tried to secure a …
… with Samuel Butler, prompted by the publication of Erasmus Darwin the previous year. …
… life and other bits of family history. On 1 January , a distant cousin, Charles Harrison Tindal, …
… about the eagerness of the two learned divines to see a pig’s body opened is very amusing’, Darwin …
… character is of much value to me’ ( letter to C. H. Tindal, 5 January 1880 ). Darwin had employed …
… find an ordinary mortal who could laugh’ ( letter from W. E. Darwin to Charles and Emma Darwin, 22 …
… a grievance to hang an article upon’ ( letter from W. E. Darwin, [28 January 1880] ). …
… , sending one or both to his daughter Henrietta ( letter to H. E. Litchfield, 1 February [1880] ). …
… he will have the last word’, she warned ( letter from H. E. Litchfield, [1 February 1880] ). ‘He …
… him Darwinophobia? It is a horrid disease’ ( letter from T. H. Huxley, 3 February 1880 ). …
… aided in any way direct attacks on religion’ ( letter to E. B. Aveling, 13 October 1880 ). Finally …
… about 21 years since the Origin appeared”‘ ( letter to T. H. Huxley, 11 [April] 1880 ). While …
… been developed through natural selection’ ( letter to T. H. Huxley, 11 May 1880 ). Worthy …
… claim is not that he is in need, so much as that he can’t find employment’ ( Correspondence vol. …
… so private subscriptions were raised, with Darwin, Thomas Farrer, and James Caird leading the …

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: 16 hits

… 1874 was one of consolidation, reflection, and turmoil for Darwin. He spent the early months working …
… mostly devoted to further research on insectivorous plants. A vicious dispute over an anonymous …
… and traveller Alexander von Humboldt’s 105th birthday, Darwin obliged with a reflection on his debt …
… one of the greatest men the world has ever produced. He gave a wonderful impetus to science by …
… 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 …
… world. While Darwin was in London, his son George organised a séance at Erasmus’s house. The event …
… William Henry Myers, and Thomas Henry Huxley, who sent a long report to Darwin with the spirit …
… that he was thus free to perform his antics’ ( letter to T. H. Huxley, 29 January [1874] ). This …
… allowed ‘a spirit séance’ at his home ( letter from T. G. Appleton, 2 April 1874 ). Back …
… sweetly all the horrid bother of correction’ ( letter to H. E. Litchfield, 21 [March 1874] ). The …
… artificial gastric juice for about a week ( letter from E. E. Klein, 14 May 1874 ). John Burdon …
… try to get it exhibited at a Royal Society of London soirée (see letter from Anton Dohrn, 6 April …
… nephew, the fine-art specialist Henry Parker ( letter from E. A. Darwin, 17 [March 1874] ). He …
… do—It is enough to kill anyone’, and asked Thomas Henry Farrer to attempt to influence the …
… Julius Victor Carus, and his publisher, Eduard Koch of E. Schweizerbart’sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, …

Darwin in letters, 1877: Flowers and honours

Summary

Ever since the publication of Expression, Darwin’s research had centred firmly on botany. The year 1877 was no exception. The spring and early summer were spent completing Forms of flowers, his fifth book on a botanical topic. He then turned to the…

Matches: 24 hits

… Ever since the publication of Expression , Darwin’s research had centred firmly on botany. The …
… spent completing Forms of flowers , his fifth book on a botanical topic. He then turned to the …
… of bloom, each of these projects would culminate in a major publication. Darwin’s botany was …
… assisted his father’s research on movement and bloom, and Darwin in turn encouraged his son’s own …
… by his engagement to Sara Sedgwick, an American from a family that the Darwins had befriended. The …
… from Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. Closer to home, Darwin received an honorary Doctorate of …
… sites for possible earthworm activity. Now in his 69th year, Darwin remained remarkably productive, …
… no controversy. In his autobiographical reflections, Darwin remarked: ‘no little discovery of …
… (‘Recollections’, p. 419). During the winter and spring, Darwin was busy preparing the manuscript of …
… and presented to the Linnean Society of London. In the book, Darwin adopted the more recent term …
… as dimorphic without comparing pollen-grains & stigmas’, Darwin remarked to Joseph Dalton …
… measurements of the size and number of pollen-grains, Darwin compared the fertility of individual …
… pleases me.’. Darwin dedicated the book to Gray, ‘as a small tribute of respect and affection’. He …
… to you.’ Drawing his separate publications together into a larger whole enabled Darwin to advance …
… measure: ‘it might then be highly beneficial to [a plant] that the same flower or the same …
… suspicion of ambitious gardeners ( letter from W. T. Thiselton-Dyer, 25 August 1877 ). At …
… of Kosmos covering the German debate (letters to W. E. Gladstone, 2 October 1877 and 25 …
… form and of motion was exact and lively’ ( letter from W. E. Gladstone, 23 October 1877 ). …
… found him as soft & smooth as butter’ ( letter to C. E. Norton, 16 March 1877 ). Hooker was …
… the gospel of dirt the order of the day’ ( letter from E. A. Darwin, 27 January [1877] ). Carlyle …
… Siebold’s study of medical monstrosity ( letter from C. T. E. Siebold, 10 October 1877 ). An …
… to the mark hereafter is another question’ ( letter to G. H. Darwin, 30 May [1877] ). In the end, …
… of a Roman villa near Thomas Farrar’s home in Surrey; and Farrer sent him a ‘worm journal’ with …
… between sagging of pavemts & castings’ ( letter to G. H. Darwin, 21 November [1877] ). It is …

Darwin Correspondence Project

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