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Julia Wedgwood

Summary

Charles Darwin’s readership largely consisted of other well-educated Victorian men, nonetheless, some women did read, review, and respond to Darwin’s work. One of these women was Darwin’s own niece, Julia Wedgwood, known in the family as “Snow”. In July…

Matches: 14 hits

… Though Charles Darwin’s readership largely consisted of other well-educated Victorian men, a …
… to his work. One of the foremost was his niece, Julia Wedgwood. She was the eldest child of …
… novel. Her first important periodical contributions were on Darwin, Lyell, the debate on the origins …
… on religion and Eliot’s irregular private life. Wedgwood’s The Moral Ideal , the outcome …
… management and free her to devote her time to her work. Emma Darwin was irritated by Wedgwood family …
… of her teachers and the proximity of her uncle Charles Darwin, she ought, she said, “to have been …
… of Science”, about On the Origin of Species . Wedgwood welcomed Darwin’s discoveries and sought …
… churchmen were eventually reconciled with Darwinism. Darwin wrote to his niece: “I must tell you how …
… that I find a very rare event with my critics”. ( Charles Darwin to F. J. Wedgwood, 11 July [1861] …
… of its authorship. (The other was by Alfred Wallace.) In it Wedgwood largely avoided the debate on …
… in animal and human behaviour, particularly in courtship. Darwin’s emphasis on man’s discovery of …
… in Pauline doctrine. In her conclusion she reclaimed Darwin as a Theist. When Fanny Wedgwood …
… of sexual selection] with approbation.” ( Charles and Emma Darwin to F. J. Wedgwood, [March 1871?] …
… caused great offence to the Darwin sons but was accepted by Emma Darwin, with whom Wedgwood remained …

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: 9 hits

… Below is a list of Darwin's correspondents with the number of letters for each one. …
… Dareste, Camille (9) Darwin family (1) …
… Elizabeth (9) Darwin, Emma (191) …
… Hermenegildo (1) Gisborne, Emma (1) …
… J.-B. P. (1) Gärtner, Emma (2) …
… Niven, James (1) Nixon, Emma (1) …
… Peel, Jonathan (5) Pender, Emma (1) …
… Elizabeth (11) Wedgwood, Emma (191) …
… Wrigley, Alfred (8) Wuttke, Emma (1) …

Women’s scientific participation

Summary

Observers | Fieldwork | Experimentation | Editors and critics | Assistants Darwin’s correspondence helps bring to light a community of women who participated, often actively and routinely, in the nineteenth-century scientific community. Here is a…

Matches: 24 hits

… | Editors and critics | Assistants Darwin’s correspondence helps bring to light a …
… community. Here is a selection of letters exchanged between Darwin and his workforce of women …
… Women: Letter 1194 - Darwin to Whitby, M. A. T., [12 August 1849] Darwin …
… peculiarities in inheritance. Letter 3787 - Darwin, H. E. to Darwin, [29 October …
… plants in her garden. Letter 4523 - Wedgwood, L. C. to Darwin, [6 June 1864] …
… in South Africa. Letter 6736 - Gray, A. & J. L to Darwin, [8 & 9 May 1869] …
… a trip to Egypt. Letter 7223 - Darwin to Wedgwood, L. C., [8 June 1867 - 72] …
… Darwin's daughter, Henrietta. Letter 7179 - Wedgwood, L. C. to Darwin, [5 …
… of wormholes. Letter 8611 - Cupples, A. J. to Darwin, E., [8 November1872] …
… her observations on the expression of emotion in dogs with Emma Darwin. Letter 8676 …
… niece’s ears. Letter 8701 - Lubbock, E. F . to Darwin, [1873] Ellen …
… patience”. Letter 4242 - Hildebrand, F. H. G. to Darwin, [16 July 1863] …
… Letter 4436 - Darwin to Hooker, J. D., [26-27 March 1864] Darwin thanks Hooker for …
… and orangs. Letter 5705 - Haast, J. F. J. von to Darwin, [4 December 1867] …
… New Zealand. Letter 6453 - Langton, E. to Wedgwood, S. E., [9 November 1868] …
… Letter 5756 - Langton, E. & C. to Wedgwood S. E., [after 9 November 1868] Darwin …
… in a marble tablet”. Letter 6815 - Scott, J. to Darwin, [2 July 1869] John …
… lakes in Pennsylvania. Letter 3681 - Wedgwood, M. S. to Darwin, [before 4 August …
… Wedgwood, S. E. & J. to Darwin, [10 November 1837] Emma ’s sister, Sarah, passes on …
… in Margate. Letter 7433 - Wedgwood, F. to Darwin, [9 January 1871] …
… E. to Darwin, W. E., [January 23rd 1887]: Emma Darwin tells her eldest son, William, …
… Letter 2055 - Langton, E. to Darwin, F., [21 February 1857] Darwin’s nephew, …
… suggestion. Letter 5254 - Hildebrand, F. H. G. to Darwin, [23 October 1866] …
… E. to Darwin, W. E. , (March, 1862 - DAR 219.1:49) Emma Darwin updates her son, William, …

Henrietta Darwin's diary

Summary

Darwin's daughter Henrietta kept a diary for a few momentous weeks in 1871. This was the year in which Descent of Man, the most controversial of her father's books after Origin itself, appeared, a book which she had helped him write. The small…

Matches: 8 hits

… Charles Darwin’s daughter Henrietta wrote the following journal entries in March and …
… 1871 in a small lockable, leather-bound notebook now in the Darwin Archive of Cambridge University …
… excised within it, presumably by Henrietta herself. Darwin’s letters in 1870 and 1871 ( …
… scepticism; many of her arguments are reminiscent of Darwin’s own discussion of religious belief in …
… on a discussion with her cousin, Frances Julia (Snow) Wedgwood, about religion and free will in …
… written one of Descent (see letter from Charles and Emma Darwin to F. J. Wedgwood, [March 1871?] …
… period of their courtship. We are grateful to William Darwin for permission to publish the …
… 6 Laura May Forster . 7 Frances Julia Wedgwood (Snow) and George Eliot. The …

The "wicked book": Origin at 157

Summary

Origin is 157 years old. (Probably) the most famous book in science was published on 24 November 1859. To celebrate we have uploaded hundreds of new images of letters, bringing the total number you can look at here to over 9000 representing more than…

Matches: 10 hits

… book appeared. You can now see examples of letters to Darwin from nearly 250 different people, and …
… Lyell , and Joseph Hooker , the two men who arranged for Darwin’s and Wallace’s ideas to be made …
… Asa Gray who was an important sounding board for Darwin’s emerging ideas, and Thomas Huxley …
… scrap from 1857 comparing his views on species to Darwin’s. Others, like Hugh Falconer , …
… the less well-known scientific collaborators who became Darwin's correspondents, Mary Treat …
… and friends, including letters between Charles and his wife Emma , and several of their children: …
… Amy Ruck, was co-opted as an observer in Wales. Lucy Wedgwood , Darwin’s neice, was one of …
… of Down in Kent, and a lifelong friend of both Charles and Emma , sent information on pigeons …
… of water thrown over me on rising William Darwin Fox , Charles’s cousin and another …
… Thiselton-Dyer George Cupples H. C. Watson J. J. Weir H. W. Bates …

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: 23 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. …
… the whole Kingdom, & even the world’ ( letter from J. L. Chester, 3 March 1880 ). Darwin’s …
… could laugh’ ( letter from W. E. Darwin to Charles and Emma Darwin, 22 July 1880 ). Sales …
… Butler, 3 January 1880 ). At the top of Butler’s letter, Emma Darwin wrote: ‘it means war we think’ …
… is the profit for Author or publisher?’ ( letter from R. F. Cooke, 20 July 1880 ). ‘I must take …
… science, I must now lose some for science’ ( letter to R. F. Cooke, 21 July 1880 ). The worries …
… corresponding structural differentiations’ ( letter from F. M. Balfour, [22 November 1880] ). …
… my excitement’ ( letter from Horace Darwin to Emma Darwin, [18 September 1880] ). Darwin’s …
… We find that the light frightens them’ ( letter to Sophy Wedgwood, 8 October [1880] ). The …
… and thus one looks to prevent its return’ ( letter from J.-H. Fabre, 18 February 1880 ). Darwin …
… letting them out of their respective bags ( letter from G. J. Romanes, [6, 13, or 20] March 1881 ) …
… received more attention than the baby!’ ( letter from G. J. Romanes, 17 December 1880 , and …
… October 1880 ). The president of the society explained to Emma that the members of the union wished …
… …“Come of Age”‘ ( letter from W. C. Williamson to Emma Darwin, 2 September 1880 ). In April, …
… employment’ ( Correspondence vol. 27, letter from J. D. Hooker, 18 December 1879 ). For some …
… year was marked by the loss of several close family members. Emma ’s brother Josiah Wedgwood III died …
… Surrey, which became a regular destination for Charles and Emma , and also a site of scientific …
… & am never happy except when at work’ ( letter to J. M. Herbert, 25 December [1880] ). …

Darwin in letters, 1882: Nothing too great or too small

Summary

In 1882, Darwin reached his 74th year Earthworms had been published the previous October, and for the first time in decades he was not working on another book. He remained active in botanical research, however. Building on his recent studies in plant…

Matches: 26 hits

… In 1882, Darwin reached his 74th year Earthworms had been published the previous …
… for scientific colleagues or their widows facing hardship. Darwin had suffered from poor health …
… of his scientific friends quickly organised a campaign for Darwin to have greater public recognition …
… Botanical observation and experiment had long been Darwin’s greatest scientific pleasure. The year …
… to Fritz Müller, 4 January 1882 ). These were topics that Darwin had been investigating for years, …
… working at the effects of Carbonate of Ammonia on roots,’ Darwin wrote, ‘the chief result being that …
… for some hours in a weak solution of C. of Ammonia’. Darwin’s interest in root response and the …
… London on 6 and 16 March, respectively. In January, Darwin corresponded with George John …
… & I am glad to shirk any extra labour’ ( letter to G. J. Romanes, 6 January 1882 ). The …
… seeing the flowers & experimentising on them’ ( letter to J. E. Todd, 10 April 1882 ). While …
… their burrows ( Correspondence vol. 29, letter from J. F. Simpson, 8 November 1881 ). He …
… the summit, whence it rolls down the sides’ ( letter from J. F. Simpson, 7 January 1882 ). The …
… on it, which would have pleased me greatly’ ( letter from J. H. Gilbert, 9 January 1882, and …
… to have rather the best of the fight’ ( letter from G. F. Crawte, 11 March 1882 ). The battle …
… and was no longer able to take his daily strolls (Henrietta Emma Litchfield, ‘Charles Darwin’s death …
… E. Litchfield to G. H. Darwin, 17 March 1882 (DAR 245: 319)) Emma wrote ten days later: ‘You will …
… been a good deal plagued with dull aching in the chest’ (Emma Darwin to G. H. Darwin, [ c . 28 …
… benefit & he escaped pain entirely yesterday’ (letter from Emma Darwin to G. H. Darwin, 6 April …
… desires, grant us this our modest request!’ ( letter from J. L. Ambrose, 3 April 1882 ). Darwin …
… wrote to George, who had visited Down on 11 April (Emma Darwin’s diary (DAR 242)). ‘Father was taken …
… H. Darwin, [19 April 1882] (DAR 245: 320)). It was left to Emma to convey the sorrowful news to his …
… which I hope were never very violent’ ( letter from Emma Darwin to J. D. Hooker, [20 April 1882 …
… were not wanting to tell me how you felt for me— Hope [Wedgwood] expresses a feeling that I should …
… was eagerly awaited by his family, including his cousin Emma Wedgwood. In long letters to her sister …
… without any mercy’ ( letter from Emma Wedgwood to F. E. E. Wedgwood, [28 October 1836] , letter …
… give a single kick to a fallen enemy!’ ( letter to T. F. Jamieson, 24 January [1863] ). …

Darwin in letters, 1871: An emptying nest

Summary

The year 1871 was an extremely busy and productive one for Darwin, with the publication in February of his long-awaited book on human evolution, Descent of man. The other main preoccupation of the year was the preparation of his manuscript on expression.…

Matches: 27 hits

… The year 1871 was an extremely busy and productive one for Darwin, seeing the publication of his …
… book out of my head’. But a large proportion of Darwin’s time for the rest of the year was devoted …
… way, and the initial reception of the book in the press. Darwin fielded numerous letters from …
… offered sharp criticism or even condemnation. Darwin had expected controversy. ‘I shall be …
… a bare-faced manner.”‘ The most lively debate centred on Darwin’s evolutionary account of the …
… taste. Correspondence with his readers and critics helped Darwin to clarify, and in some cases …
… year was the preparation of his manuscript on expression. Darwin continued to investigate the …
… also brought a significant milestone for the family, as Darwin’s eldest daughter Henrietta was …
… during several past years, has been a great amusement’. Darwin had been working fairly continuously …
… work on species theory in the late 1830s. In recent years, Darwin had collected a wealth of material …
… to human evolution was comparatively small, reflecting Darwin’s aim of showing kinship with animals …
… he is “torn to pieces” by people wanting copies’, Darwin wrote to his son Francis on 28 February …
… about it, which no doubt promotes the sale’ ( letter from J. D. Hooker, 26 March 1871 ). The …
… letter from Arthur Nicols, 7 March 1871 ; letter from B. J. Sulivan, 11 March 1871 ; letter …
… a high aesthetic appreciation of beauty ( letter from E. J. Pfeiffer, [before 26 April 1871] ). …
… a good way ahead of you, as far as this goes’ ( letter to J. B. Innes, 29 May [1871] ). On …
… the most deep and tender religious feeling’ ( letter from F. E. Abbot, 20 August 1871 ). The …
… his own family circle, especially his cousin Hensleigh Wedgwood, whom Darwin had cited on the origin …
… passing temptation of hunting it’ ( Descent 2: 392). Wedgwood, however, denied that a simple …
… or remorse. The true essence of conscience, according to Wedgwood, was shame, and he went so far as …
… by the presence of its master. ( Letter from Hensleigh Wedgwood, [3–9 March 1871] .) Some …
… Morley. George and Henrietta remarked upon his dispute with Wedgwood. Darwin’s theory of the moral …
… and morally bound. In one particularly long letter to Wedgwood, Darwin alluded to the pain of …
… agreement is a satisfaction to me’ ( letter to Hensleigh Wedgwood, 9 March 1871 ). A …
… only the ‘most guarded expressions’ ( letter to St G. J. Mivart, 23 January [1871] ). …
… home, Leith Hill Place in Surrey, and CD’s niece Lucy Wedgwood collected and weighed the dried …
… & sherry’ ( letter from H. E. Litchfield to Charles and Emma Darwin, [5 November 1871] ). Her …

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: 12 hits

… the most notorious realm of controversy over evolution in Darwin's day was religion. The same …
… nineteenth century were different in important ways. Many of Darwin's leading supporters were …
… their religious beliefs with evolutionary theory. Darwin's own writing, both in print and …
… much as possible. A number of correspondents tried to draw Darwin out on his own religious views, …
… political contexts. Design Darwin was not the first to challenge …
… on the controversial topic of design. The first is between Darwin and Harvard botanist Asa Gray, …
… second is a single letter from naturalist A. R. Wallace to Darwin on design and natural selection. …
… members of his own family. Letter 441 — Wedgwood, Emma to Darwin, C. R., [21–22 Nov …
… conscientious doubts”. Letter 471 — Darwin, Emma to Darwin, C. R., [c. Feb 1839] …
… course. Letter 8070 — Darwin, C. R. to Abbot, F. E., 16 Nov [1871] Darwin explains …
… Letter 1536 — Darwin, C. R. to Lubbock, J. W. (b), 11 Oct [1853] Darwin gives his opinion to …
… Letter 12879 — Darwin, C. R. to Fegan, J. W. C., [Dec 1880 – Feb 1881] Darwin writes to J. W. …

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: 28 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 …
… ). The death of a Cambridge friend, Albert Way, caused Darwin’s cousin, William Darwin Fox, to …
… 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 …
… hope.— I feel very old & helpless’ ( letter to B. J. Sulivan, 6 January [1874] ). Darwin …
… rubbish’, he confided to Joseph Dalton Hooker ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 18 January [1874] ). …
… letter to Smith, Elder & Co., 8 January 1874 , letter to J. D. Hooker, 8 January 1874 , and …
… for misinterpreting Darwin on this point ( letter from J. D. Dana, 21 July 1874 ); however, he did …
… Descent was published in November 1874 ( letter from R. F. Cooke, 12 November 1874 ). Though …
… subsequent print runs would be very good ( letter from R. F. Cooke, 12 November 1874 ). …
… Mivart (see Correspondence vol. 20, letter to St G. J. Mivart, 11 January [1872] ). To Darwin …
… whether he was the author of the review ( see letter to J. D. Hooker, 14 December 1874 ). Huxley …
… Mivart had written the article ( enclosure to letter from J. D. Hooker, 21 December 1874 ). Huxley …
… 15 th he published that shabby rejoinder’ ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 24 December [1874] ). On …
… satisfaction. Assisted in the wording by his wife, Emma , and daughter Henrietta, he finally wrote a …
… a comfortable cabin ( see letter from Leonard Darwin to Emma Darwin, [after 26 June -- 28 September …
… to become Darwin’s secretary. They rented Down Lodge and Emma Darwin wrote, ‘They have . . . made …
… the average in prettiness & snugness’ ( letter from Emma Darwin to J. B. Innes, 12 October …
… letter to Down School Board, [after 29 November 1873] ). Emma saw a ‘great blessing’ in the rumour …
… dead uncle’s position of vicar of Deptford ( letter from Emma Darwin to J. B. Innes, 12 October …
… more in my life than this day’s work’ ( letter to D. F. Nevill, 18 September [1874] ).Francis’s …
… structure and mechanism that Darwin agreed with ( letter to F. J. Cohn, 12 October 1874 ). Darwin …
… she valued the photograph he sent highly ( letter from D. F. Nevill, [11 September 1874] ). …
… of his children shedding tears as tiny babies ( letter from F. S. B. François de Chaumont, 29 April …
… edition was published in January 1875 ( letter from C.-F. Reinwald , 4 February 1874 ). Barbier …

Women as a scientific audience

Summary

Target audience? | Female readership | Reading Variation Darwin's letters, in particular those exchanged with his editors and publisher, reveal a lot about his intended audience. Regardless of whether or not women were deliberately targeted as a…

Matches: 6 hits

… Female readership | Reading Variation Darwin's letters, in particular those …
… a broad variety of women had access to, and engaged with, Darwin's published works. A set of …
… women a target audience? Letter 2447 - Darwin to Murray, J., [5 April 1859] …
… that his views are original and will appeal to the public. Darwin asks Murray to forward the …
… and criticisms of style. Letter 2461 - Darwin to Hooker, J. D., [11 May 1859] …
… Letter 7331 - Darwin to Murray, J., [29 September 1870] Darwin asks Murray to …

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: 22 hits

… The year 1876 started out sedately enough with Darwin working on the first draft of his book on the …
… life in Down House measured by the ongoing tally of his and Emma ’s backgammon games. ‘I have won, …
… regarding the ailments that were so much a feature of Darwin family life. But the calm was not to …
… four days later. ‘I cannot bear to think of the future’, Darwin confessed to William on 11 …
… once, the labour of checking proofs proved a blessing, as Darwin sought solace for the loss of his …
… and his baby son Bernard now part of the household, and Darwin recasting his work on dimorphic and …
… the second edition of Climbing plants ( letter from R. F. Cooke, 23 February 1876 ). When …
… blundering’, he cheerfully observed to Carus. ( Letter to J. V. Carus, 24 April 1876. ) …
… of blackballing so distinguished a zoologist ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 29 January 1876 ). Both …
… results in this year’s experiments’ ( letter from G. J. Romanes, [ c . 19 March 1876] ). A less …
… by the mutual pressure of very young buds’ ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 21 June [1876] ). Darwin …
… shoemaker and ardent naturalist Thomas Edward ( letter from F. M. Balfour, 11 December 1876 ; …
… paper was ‘not worthy of being read ever’ ( letter from J. D. Hooker, 28 January 1876 ). Darwin …
… was never far away in the Darwin family. In April, while Emma was suffering from a feverish cold, …
… In the same month, Darwin heard that his sister Caroline Wedgwood continued to languish in …
… associated with a happy event. On 7 September, Charles and Emma became grandparents for the first …
… have heart to go on again . . . I cannot conceive Emma and Charles exhibited a practical …
… August to be with her daughter at the time of the birth, and Emma was unimpressed by her. ‘The more …
… word she says’, she confided to Henrietta (letter from Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield, [31 August …
… ability to console Francis after Amy’s death gained Emma ’s respect. ‘She is always able to speak’, …
… of Darwin’s recently completed autobiography (letter from Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin, [13 September …
… Friedrich Hildebrand, 6 December 1876 , and letter from F. J. Cohn, 31 December 1876 ). …

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: 24 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, …
… daughter, Anne Elizabeth, moved to Down House in Kent, where Darwin was to spend the rest of his …
… 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 …
… 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 …
… by Darwin from a suggestion made by his uncle, Josiah Wedgwood II, during one of Darwin’s visits to …
… results of the Beagle voyage. With the help of J. S. Henslow, William Whewell, and other …
… wide variety of publications. The beetles were described by F. W. Hope, G. R. Waterhouse, and C. C. …
… by Adam White; infusoria by C. G. Ehrenberg; fungi by M. J. Berkeley; and corals by William Lonsdale …
… were neglected. During the voyage Darwin had expected that J. S. Henslow would describe his …
… and classification (see Henslow 1837a and 1838; W. J. Hooker and G. A. W. Arnott 1836, 1841; J. D. …
… . . . on the origin & variation of species” ( Letter to J. S. Henslow, [November 1839] ). …
… filled, with facts It is true that, until he took J. D. Hooker into his confidence in …
… to convince anyone that he had a sound solution to what J. F. W. Herschel in a letter to Lyell had …
… (Simpson 1961, p. 53). Marriage Darwin married Emma Wedgwood in January 1839. His …
… ( Correspondence vol. 2, Appendix III). The letters that Emma and Darwin subsequently exchanged …
… correspondence is that Darwin had evidently communicated to Emma that he had doubts about religion, …
… as she was, from marrying him. Just after their marriage, Emma states that she has the impression …
… were no doubts as to how one ought to act’ ( Letter from Emma Darwin, [ c. February 1839] ). …

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: 22 hits

… March 1849, ten years before Origin was published, Darwin wrote to his good friend Joseph Hooker …
… Manby Gully ran a fashionable water-cure establishment. Darwin apologised for his delayed reply to …
… See the letter At various periods in his life Darwin suffered from gastrointestinal …
… fatigue, trembling, faintness, and dizziness. In 1849, Darwin’s symptoms became so severe that he …
… for three months while he took Dr Gully’s water cure. In Darwin’s letter to Hooker, he described Dr …
… See the letter After returning from Malvern, Darwin continued his hydropathic …
… 1863. In a letter to Hooker in April of 1861, for example, Darwin used his delicate physiology to …
… Edward Wickstead Lane, and at Ilkley with Dr Edmund Smith, Darwin sought advice from his consulting …
… vomiting wonderfully & I am gaining vigour .’ (letter to J. D. Hooker, 13 April [1864] ) …
… (see, for example, Correspondence vol. 2, letter to J. S. Henslow, 14 October [1837] , …
… November [1858] , and Correspondence vol. 12, letter to F. T. Buckland, 15 December [1864] ) …
… 1849] , and ‘vomiting every week’ in his letter to J. D. Hooker, 28 March 1849 ( …
… almost daily (see Correspondence vol. 12, letter from Emma Darwin to W. D. Fox, [6 May 1864] …
… decision to consult John Chapman. In a letter to J. D. Hooker, [20-] 22 February [1864] ( …
… 38, 47, 64). Fainting and ‘rocking’ had been recorded in Emma Darwin’s diary (DAR 242) on several …
… sensations’ has been found. On Darwin’s reliance on Emma Darwin’s companionship and care see, for …
… , and Correspondence vol. 2, letter to Sarah Elizabeth Wedgwood, [28 August 1837] ). His …
… discussed in Colp 1977, pp. 31-2, 47, 98. In his letter to J. D. Hooker, 5 March [1863] ( …
… alive’. See also Correspondence vol. 12, letter from Emma Darwin to J. D. Hooker, 17 March …
… for several years (see Correspondence vol. 4, letter to J. D. Hooker, 12 October 1849 , and …
… October 1863 (see Correspondence vol. 11, letter from Emma Darwin to W. D. Fox, 8 December …
… his chronic vomiting ( Correspondence vol. 12, letter to J. D. Hooker, 13 April [1864] ). …

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: 22 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 …
… Hooker, director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and J. D. Hooker’s father, died in August. There …
… the Boys at home: they make the house jolly’ ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 7 January [1865] ). Darwin …
… kind friend to me. So the world goes.—’ ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 2 February [1865] ). However, …
… griefs & pains: these alone are unalloyed’ ( letter from J. D. Hooker, 3 February 1865 ). …
… Sic transit gloria mundi, with a vengeance’ ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 9 February [1865] ). …
… know it is folly & nonsense to try anyone’ ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 7 January [1865] ). He …
… and Darwin had given it up by early July ( see letter to J. D. Hooker, [10 July 1865] ). In …
… ‘able to write about an hour on most days’ ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 22 December [1865] ). …
… willing to bear the expense of the woodcuts ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 7 January [1865] ). After …
… loathe the whole subject like tartar emetic’ ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 19 January [1865] ). …
… species arising’ ( Correspondence vol. 9, letter to J. D. Hooker, 28 September [1861] ). …
… he praised Scott’s ‘industry & ability’ ( letter from J. D. Hooker, [10 March 1865] ). Scott …
… a trying year. In January he had influenza ( letter from F. H. Hooker, [27 January 1865] ); before …
… attending school, and spent some time travelling in Europe (Emma Darwin’s diary (DAR 242), Emma …
… people weren’t so foolish’;. In November, Darwin and Emma visited Erasmus in London ( …

Darwin and vivisection

Summary

Darwin played an important role in the controversy over vivisection that broke out in late 1874. Public debate was sparked when the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals brought an unsuccessful prosecution against a French physiologist who…

Matches: 22 hits

… Darwin played an important role in the controversy over vivisection that broke …
… on live animals in Britain. In December 1874, Darwin was asked to sign a memorial by the …
… draft legislation that would protect animals from suffering. Darwin was sympathetic to the cause, …
… (letter to H. E. Litchfield, 4 January [1875] ). Darwin also worried that any bill passed by a …
… to T. H. Huxley, 14 January 1875 ). In the event, Darwin became closely involved with the …
… for assistance in preparing a bill for Parliament. Darwin almost never involved himself in …
… recent research on insectivorous plants. Indeed, some of Darwin’s plant experiments, such as …
… and because it failed to mention anaesthetics. Darwin’s indebtedness and allegiance to …
… subscriber to the RSPCA, he had campaigned with his wife Emma against the use of steel traps on game …
… to put an end to any suffering before his eyes’. Darwin was clearly disturbed by the prospect …
… to E. R. Lankester, 22 March [1871] ). In the same year, Darwin had published Descent of man , …
… some animals possessed social sympathies akin to conscience. Darwin even described an animal …
… 1: 40). Vivisection was a sensitive subject within Darwin’s family. In his letter of 14 …
… of a network of reformers and philanthropists that included Darwin’s brother, Erasmus, and his …
… (men of course) or I might get one or two’ (letter from Emma Darwin to F. P. Cobbe, 14 January …
… after night, prepares and sets instruments of torture’ ( Emma Darwin (1904) 2: 201). …
… the basis for a petition, and gave it to Huxley (letter from J. S. Burdon Sanderson, 12 February …
… a memorial, sending it to Darwin on 7 April (letter from J. S. Burdon Sanderson, 7 April [1875] ) …
… gather signatures. More alterations were made (letter from J. S. Burdon Sanderson, 10 April 1875 …
… already been prepared for the House of Lords (see letter to J. S. Burdon Sanderson, [11 April 1875 …
… as president of the Royal Society of London (letter to J. D. Hooker, 14 April [1875] ). The next …
… (letter from T. H. Huxley, 19 May 1875 , letter from J. S. Burdon Sanderson, 23 May [1875] ). …

Darwin in letters, 1872: Job done?

Summary

'My career’, Darwin wrote towards the end of 1872, 'is so nearly closed. . . What little more I can do, shall be chiefly new work’, and the tenor of his correspondence throughout the year is one of wistful reminiscence, coupled with a keen eye…

Matches: 29 hits

… ‘My career’, Darwin wrote towards the end of 1872, ‘is so nearly closed. . . What little …
… of On the origin of species , intended to be Darwin’s last, and of Expression of the …
… books brought a strong if deceptive sense of a job now done: Darwin intended, he declared to Alfred …
… 27 July [1872] ). By the end of the year Darwin was immersed in two of the studies that …
… of books and papers, and the latter formed the subject of Darwin’s last book, The formation of …
… worms , published in the year before his death. Despite Darwin’s declared intention to take up new …
… begun many years before. In his private life also, Darwin was in a nostalgic frame of mind, …
… The last word on Origin The year opened with Darwin, helped by his eldest son William, …
… on 30 January , shortly after correcting the proofs, and Darwin’s concern for the consolidation of …
… and sixth editions were costly to incorporate, and despite Darwin’s best efforts, set the final …
… as I can make it’, he wrote to the translator ( letter to J. J. Moulinié, 23 September 1872 ). He …
… unpublished at the end of the year ( letter from C.-F. Reinwald, 23 November 1872 ). To …
… anatomist St George Jackson Mivart ( letter to St G. J. Mivart, 11 January [1872] ). A …
… am made to appear’, complained Darwin ( letter to St G. J. Mivart, 5 January 1872 ). Piqued, …
… `fundamental intellectual errors’ ( letter from St G. J. Mivart, 6 January 1872 ). Darwin …
… to think he felt friendly towards me’ ( letter to St G. J. Mivart, 8 January [1872] ). Despite …
… if only `in another world’ ( letter from St G. J. Mivart, 10 January 1872 ). Darwin, determined …
… but asked Mivart not to acknowledge it ( letter to St G. J. Mivart, 11 January [1872] ). 'I …
… selection is somewhat under a cloud’, he wrote to J. E. Taylor on 13 January , and he complained …
… rather than offended by `that clever book’ ( letter to J. M. Herbert, 21 November 1872 ) and …
… from his ignorance, he feels no doubts’ ( letter to F. C. Donders, 17 June 1872 ). Right up to the …
… agreed to let them have it for love!!!’ ( letter from R. F. Cooke, 1 August 1872 ). It had …
… & have not taken care of ourselves’ ( letter from R. F. Cooke, 20 November 1872 ). A …
… in the face of a disappointed public ( letter from R. F. Cooke, 25 November 1872 ). Among those …
… Mary Lloyd, were vying to read it first ( letter from F. P. Cobbe, [26 November 1872] ). …
… darkness by an industrial strike ( letter from R. F. Cooke, 6 December 1872 ). Caught out by the …
… to contain wormcasts from India. Darwin’s niece Lucy Wedgwood, who had started her observations the …
… out such a litany of ill health to one correspondent that Emma protested: `My wife commands me to …
… reward to which any scientific man can look’ ( letter to F. C. Donders, 29 April [1872] ). …

Darwin in letters, 1875: Pulling strings

Summary

‘I am getting sick of insectivorous plants’, Darwin confessed in January 1875. He had worked on the subject intermittently since 1859, and had been steadily engaged on a book manuscript for nine months; January also saw the conclusion of a bitter dispute…

Matches: 24 hits

… Editions Plants always held an important place in Darwin’s theorising about species, and …
… his periods of severe illness. Yet on 15 January 1875 , Darwin confessed to his close friend …
… way to continuous writing and revision, activities that Darwin found less gratifying: ‘I am slaving …
… bad.’ The process was compounded by the fact that Darwin was also revising another manuscript …
… coloured stamens.’ At intervals during the year, Darwin was diverted from the onerous task of …
… zoologist St George Jackson Mivart. In April and early May, Darwin was occupied with a heated …
… chapter of the controversy involved a slanderous attack upon Darwin’s son George, in an anonymous …
… on 12 January , breaking off all future communication. Darwin had been supported during the affair …
… Society of London, and a secretary of the Linnean Society, Darwin’s friends had to find ways of …
… pp. 16–17). ‘How grandly you have defended me’, Darwin wrote on 6 January , ‘You have also …
… in public. ‘Without cutting him direct’, he advised Darwin on 7 January , ‘I should avoid him, …
… … Poor Murray shuddered again & again’ ( letter from J. D. Hooker, 16 January 1875 ). Darwin …
… , ‘I feel now like a pure forgiving Christian!’ Darwin’s ire was not fully spent, however, …
… in the same Quarterly article that attacked George. Darwin raised the matter at the end of the …
… to rest, another controversy was brewing. In December 1874, Darwin had been asked to sign a memorial …
… of philanthropists that included Hensleigh and Frances Wedgwood. She had corresponded with Darwin …
… could not sign the paper sent me by Miss Cobbe.’ Darwin found Cobbe’s memorial inflammatory …
… memorial had been read in the House of Lords (see ' Darwin and vivisection '). …
… That ever you were born (letter from E. F. Lubbock, [after 2 July] 1875). Back …
… red half has become wholly white’ ( letter from G. J. Romanes, [before 4 November 1874] ). …
… George Sketchley Ffinden resurfaced. In 1873, Charles and Emma Darwin and the Lubbocks had sought …
… and the Darwins did not warm thereafter. On 24 December , Emma wrote triumphantly to the former …
… copy of Insectivorous plants ( letter to D. F. Nevill, 15 July [1875] ). Such visitors from …
… Henry Eeles Dresser. ‘The horror was great’, Henrietta Emma Litchfield wrote to her brother Leonard …

Darwin in letters, 1860: Answering critics

Summary

On 7 January 1860, John Murray published the second edition of Darwin’s Origin of species, printing off another 3000 copies to satisfy the demands of an audience that surprised both the publisher and the author. It wasn't long, however, before ‘the…

Matches: 25 hits

… 7 January 1860, John Murray published the second edition of Darwin’s Origin of species , printing …
… surprised both the publisher and the author. One week later Darwin was stunned to learn that the …
… But it was the opinion of scientific men that was Darwin’s main concern. He eagerly scrutinised each …
… his views. ‘One cannot expect fairness in a Reviewer’, Darwin commented to Hooker after reading an …
… did not at all concern his main argument ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 3 January [1860] ). …
… but ‘unfair’ reviews that misrepresented his ideas, Darwin began to feel that without the early …
… it was his methodological criticism in the accusation that Darwin had ‘deserted the inductive track, …
… principles of scientific investigation.—’ ( letter to J. S. Henslow, 8 May [1860] ). Above …
… was a hypothesis, not a theory, therefore also displeased Darwin. Comparing natural selection to the …
… it comes in time to be admitted as real.’ ( letter to C. J. F. Bunbury, 9 February [1860] ). This …
… issue of Macmillan’s Magazine . Fawcett asserted that Darwin’s theory accorded well with John …
… induction, ratiocination, and then verification. Darwin and his critics Specific …
… Several correspondents, such as his cousin Hensleigh Wedgwood and Heinrich Georg Bronn, expressed …
… the origin of life itself, which the theory did not address. Darwin chose to treat this as an …
… things, about the multitude of still living simple forms. Darwin readily admitted that his failure …
… considered it more a failure than a success ( see letter to J. D. Hooker, 14 February [1860] ). …
… two physiologists, and five botanists ( see letter to J. D. Hooker, 3 March [1860] ). Others, like …
… ‘master of the field after 4 hours battle’ (letter from J. D. Hooker, 2 July 1860). Other …
… were already proved) to his own views.—’ ( letter from J. S. Henslow to J. D. Hooker, 10 May 1860 …
… these visits have led to changed structure.’ ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 27 April [1860] ). Tracing …
… months later, ‘just as at a game of chess.’ ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 19 [July 1860] ). With the …
… substance from non=nitrogenised substances.’ ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 31 [August 1860] ). Relying …
… level. Describing her husband’s current enthusiasm, Emma Darwin wrote to Mary Lyell: ‘At present he …
… suppose he hopes to end in proving it to be an animal.’ ( Emma Darwin 2: 177). As was so …
… fatal illness never far from their minds, Charles and Emma did whatever they could to promote Etty’s …

Syms Covington

Summary

When Charles Darwin embarked on the Beagle voyage in 1831, Syms Covington was ‘fiddler & boy to Poop-cabin’. Covington kept an illustrated journal of his observations and experiences on the voyage, noting wildlife, landscapes, buildings and people and,…

Matches: 7 hits

… When Charles Darwin embarked on the Beagle voyage in 1831, Syms Covington was ‘ …
… After teaching Covington to shoot and skin birds, Darwin employed him as his servant in 1833. …
… England. On the Beagle ’s return to England in 1836, Darwin kept Covington in his employ, paying …
… Agricultural Company run by Phillip Parker King (whom Darwin had met in Australia in 1836 ). …
… 280 miles south of Sydney, where he then lived. In 1852 Darwin had asked about the gold rush and …
… accommodation, a post office, and possibly a general store. Darwin’s last letter to Covington …
… The National Archives: Public Record Office RG4/272 f. 18v Nicholas, F. W. and Nicholas, J. M …

Darwin Correspondence Project

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