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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: 20 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 …
… garden. Letter 4523 - Wedgwood, L. C. to Darwin, [6 June 1864] Darwin’s …
… . Letter 5745 - Barber, M. E. to Darwin, [after February 1867] Mary Barber …
… birds. Letter 5817 - Darwin to Huxley, T. H., [30 January 1868] Darwin …
… Letter 6535 - Vaughan Williams , M. S. to Darwin, H. E., [after 14 October 1869] …
… patience”. Letter 4242 - Hildebrand, F. H. G. to Darwin, [16 July 1863] …
… Women: Letter 1701 - Morris, M. H. to Prior, R. C. A., [17 June 1855] …
… Letter 4823 - Wedgwood, L. C. to Darwin, H. E., [May 1865] Darwin’s niece, Lucy, …
… Leith Hill Place. Letter 6139 - Doubleday, H. to Darwin, [22 April 1868] …
… Letter 8168 - Ruck, A. R . to Darwin, H., [20 January 1872] Amy Ruck reports the …
… for more samples. Letter 4928 - Henslow, G. to Darwin, [11 November 1865] …
… “eyebrows”. Letter 1701 - Morris, M. H. to Prior, R. C. A., [17 June 1855] …
… with minnows. Letter 2781 - Doubleday, H. to Darwin, [3 May 1860] …
… suggestion. Letter 5254 - Hildebrand, F. H. G. to Darwin, [23 October 1866] …
… those at Kew. Letter 6139 - Doubleday, H. to Darwin, [22 April 1868] …
… it. Letter 3896 - Darwin to Huxley, T. H, [before 25 February 1863] Darwin …
… job. Letter 9157 - Darwin to Da rwin, G. H., [20 November 1873] Darwin …

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: 23 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 …
… 1879 ). He was also unsatisfied with his account of Erasmus Darwin, declaring, ‘My little biography …
… a holiday in the Lake District in August did little to raise Darwin’s spirits. ‘I wish that my …
… 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 …
… 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 …
… ). The masters of Greiz College in Thuringia venerated Darwin as ‘the deep thinker’, while …
… accepted in Germany. ‘On this festive day’, Haeckel told Darwin, ‘you can look back, with justified …
… Hermann Müller wrote on 12 February to wish Darwin a ‘long and serene evening of life’. This …
… with the when & the where, & the who—’ ( letter from V. H. Darwin, 28 May [1879] ). On the …
… tastefully and well, and with little fatigue’ ( letter to G. H. Darwin, 12 July 1879 , and …
… to W. T. Thiselton-Dyer, 5 June 1879 , and letter to G. H. Darwin, 12 July 1879 ). Darwin’s …
… wait for three months. ‘Nothing can be more useless than T.H’s conduct’, Emma Darwin pointed out, …
… to get home ‘& began drumming at once’ (Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield, [27 August 1879] (DAR …
… & I may not be equal to the exertion’ ( letter to H. A. Pitman, [13 May 1879] ). In the end, …
… because it dominated the picture (letter from Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield, [17 July 1879] (DAR …
… and his family to the Riviera for the summer ( letter to G. J. Romanes, 23 July 1879 ). Allen, who …
… to their engagement being made public ( letter from T. H. Farrer, 12 October 1879 ). Darwin’s …

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] …
… typically-male readers. Letter 7124 - Darwin to Darwin, H. E., [8 February 1870] …

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: 21 hits

… In May 1881, Darwin, one of the best-known celebrities in England if not the world, began …
… a very old man, who probably will not last much longer.’ Darwin’s biggest fear was not death, but …
… 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 …
… and new admirers got in touch, and, for all his fears, Darwin found several scientific topics to …
… Evolution old and new when revising his essay on Erasmus Darwin’s scientific work, and that Darwin …
… memory in November 1880 and in an abusive letter about Darwin in the St James’s Gazette on 8 …
… in a review of Unconscious memory in Kosmos and sent Darwin a separate letter for …
… Butler wished to boast publicly that his quarrel was with Darwin, agreed. Unsure how to address …
… gone mad on such a small matter’. The following day, Darwin himself wrote to Stephen, admitting that …
… a slap in the face as he would have cause to remember’. Darwin was enormously relieved. ‘Your note …
… wrote such a savage review of Unconscious memory that Darwin feared he had redirected Butler’s …
… so much for anything in my life as for its success’, Darwin told Arabella Buckley on 4 January . …
… decided to print ‘500 more, making 2000’ ( letter to H. E. Litchfield, 4 January 1881 ). Unlike …
… learnt from its own individual experience ( letter from G. J. Romanes, 7 March 1881 ). The …
… him ( letter from C. E. Södling, 14 October 1881 ), while H. M. Wallis, who sent observations of …
… & to acknowledge any criticism’ ( letter to C. G. Semper, 19 July 1881 ). He continued his …
… , which he thought ‘an excellent Journal’ ( letter to G. J. Romanes, 4 July [1881] ). In these …
… so atrocious a manner on all physiologists’ ( letter to G. J. Romanes, 18 April 1881 ). A letter …
… to bear the ‘wear & tear of controversy’ ( letter to G. R. Jesse, 23 April 1881 ). Later in …
… they would be with a less intelligent man’ ( letter from G. J. Romanes, 1 July [1881] ). Despite …

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: 21 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 …
… 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 …
… had involved much time and effort the previous year, and Darwin clearly wanted to focus his …
… When Smith, Elder and Company proposed reissuing two of Darwin’s three volumes of the geology of …
… single-volume edition titled Geological observations , Darwin resisted making any revisions at …
… volume, Coral reefs , already in its second edition. Darwin was nevertheless ‘firmly resolved not …
… meticulous correction of errors in the German editions made Darwin less anxious about correcting the …
… results in this year’s experiments’ ( letter from G. J. Romanes, [ c . 19 March 1876] ). A less …
… Encyclopaedia Britannica the previous year ( letter to G. H. Darwin, [after 4 September 1876] ). …
… the ‘awful job’ of informing the author ( letter to G. G. Stokes, 21 April [1876] ). Darwin could …
… ‘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 …
… letter to Andrew Clark, [late June 1876] ; letter to G. H. Darwin, 13 July [1876] ). The irony …
… she confided to Henrietta (letter from Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield, [31 August 1876] (DAR 219.9: …
… been the subject of mere observation’ ( letter from T. H. Farrer, 31 December 1876 ). The Swiss …
… on the method, or remains in utter darkness’ ( letter to H. N. Moseley, 22 November 1876 ). …

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: 22 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 …
… , 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 …
… Darwinophobia? It is a horrid disease’ ( letter from T. H. Huxley, 3 February 1880 ). All …
… I was, also, rarely fit to see anybody’ ( letter to S. H. Haliburton, 13 December 1880 ). …
… thus one looks to prevent its return’ ( letter from J.-H. Fabre, 18 February 1880 ). Darwin shared …
… and letting them out of their respective bags ( letter from G. J. Romanes, [6, 13, or 20] March …
… received more attention than the baby!’ ( letter from G. J. Romanes, 17 December 1880 , and …
… biologist of our time’ ( letter from W. D. Roebuck to G. H. Darwin, 25 October 1880 ). The …
… 21 years since the Origin appeared”‘ ( letter to T. H. Huxley, 11 [April] 1880 ). While praising …
… been developed through natural selection’ ( letter to T. H. Huxley, 11 May 1880 ). Worthy …
… prevailing superstitions of this country!’ ( letter to T. H. Huxley, [after 26 November 1880] ). …

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: 24 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 …
… ( 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 …
… Williams was ‘a cheat and an imposter’ ( letter from T. H. Huxley, 27 January 1874 ). Darwin …
… he was thus free to perform his antics’ ( letter to T. H. Huxley, 29 January [1874] ). This did …
… 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 …
… I have pounded the enemy into a jelly’ ( letter from T. H. Huxley, 14 April 1874 ). The technical …
… and never mind where it goes’ ( letter from T. H. Huxley, 16 April 1874 ). The second …
… conciseness & clearness of your thought’ ( letter from G. H. Darwin, 20 April 1874 ). …
… the spread of various mental and physical disorders (G. H. Darwin 1873b). In July 1874, an anonymous …
… over the ‘scurrilous libel’ on his son ( letter to G. H. Darwin, [27 July 1874] ). George, …
… scurrilous accusation of [a] lying scoundrel’ ( letter to G. H. Darwin, 1 August [1874] ). He …
… with Murray on the outcome ( enclosure to letter from G. H. Darwin, 6 [August] 1874 ): …
… direct to the Editor & it had been refused’ ( letter from G. H. Darwin, [6 or 7 August 1874] ) …
… Mivart (see Correspondence vol. 20, letter to St G. J. Mivart, 11 January [1872] ). To Darwin …
… theory of exchange value, and the second elliptic integral (G. H. Darwin 1875a, 1875b, 1875d, 1875e) …
… in almost total failure of observations in New Zealand (see G. B. Airy ed. 1881). Darwin’s …

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: 25 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, …
… & again’ ( letter from J. D. Hooker, 16 January 1875 ). Darwin had also considered taking up …
… , ‘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 …
… Hensleigh and Frances Wedgwood. She had corresponded with Darwin about the evolution of the moral …
… 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 '). …
… medical educators, and other interested parties. Darwin was summoned to testify on 3 November. It …
… ( Report of the Royal Commission on vivisection , p. 183). Darwin learned of Klein’s testimony …
… agree to any law, which should send him to the treadmill.’ Darwin had become acquainted with Klein …
… am astounded & disgusted at what you say about Klein,’ Darwin replied to Huxley on 1 November …
… the man.’ Poisons, plants, and print-runs Darwin’s keen interest in the progress of …
… red half has become wholly white’ ( letter from G. J. Romanes, [before 4 November 1874] ). …
… of a review of William Dwight Whitney’s work on language (G. H. Darwin 1874c). George had taken the …

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: 29 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 …
… from botanical research was provided by potatoes, as Darwin took up the cause of an Irish …
… would rid Ireland of famine. Several correspondents pressed Darwin for his views on religion, …
… closed with remarkable news of a large legacy bequeathed to Darwin by a stranger as a reward for his …
… 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 …
… 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 …
… ( letter to Sophy Wedgwood, 24 March [1878–80] ). While Darwin was studying the function of …
… on one side, then another, to produce movement in the stalk. Darwin compared adult and young leaves …
… after growth has ceased or nearly ceased.’ Finally, Darwin turned to plant motion below the …
… precision the lines of least resistance in the ground.’ Darwin would devote a whole chapter to the …
… that he missed sensitiveness of apex’ ( letter to Francis Darwin, [11 May 1878] ). Having …
… moisture, and various chemical and nutritive substances, Darwin next considered sound. He explained …
… instrument to various plants. To confirm the results, Darwin borrowed a siren from Tyndall, who had …
… ill-luck to them, are not sensitive to aerial vibrations’, Darwin complained. ‘I am ashamed at my …
… 8 August. ‘Alas Frank is off tomorrow to Wurzburg,’ Darwin wrote to Thiselton-Dyer on 2 June , ‘ …
… down on the object, but he will always do so’ ( letter to G. J. Romanes, 20 August [1878] ). …
… deaf-mute, a monkey & a baby in your house!’ ( letter to G. J. Romanes, 2 September [1878] ). …
… I want to play the part of a thieving wasp’ ( letter from G. J. Romanes, 21 June 1878 ). An …
… god with the ‘eternity of matter’ ( letter from H. N. Ridley, [before 28 November 1878] ). Darwin …
… myself about such insoluble questions’ ( letter to H. N. Ridley, 28 November 1878 ). Darwin …
… of adding a new member to society’ ( letter from G. A. Gaskell, 13 November 1878 ). Darwin hoped …
… for the future history of the world’ ( letter to G. A. Gaskell, 15 November 1878 ). Rarely …
… criticize without utterly demolishing it’ ( letter from G. H. Darwin, 28 January 1878 ). The …
… seminal generations’ ( enclosure to letter to T. H. Farrer, 7 March 1878 ). In the end, the …
… vanish like the chaos before the wind’ ( letter from T. H. Noyes, 19 November 1878 ). A …

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: 26 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 …
… letter from J. D. Hooker, 26 March 1871 ). The profits for Darwin were considerable. After …
… man.’ Promoting the book As usual, Darwin did his best to obtain a wide and favourable …
… (see Correspondence vol. 19, Appendix IV). Four of Darwin’s five sons received a copy, and his …
… received a special acknowledgment in the form of a gift. Darwin credited her for whatever he had …
… her liking, ‘to keep in memory of the book’ ( letter to H. E. Darwin, 20 March 1871 ). …
… 1871). The geologist William Boyd Dawkins remarked on Darwin’s books’ reception amongst ‘artisans …
… 23 February 1871 ). Thomas Henry Huxley marvelled that Darwin had been able to link the periodicity …
… . ancestor lived between tide-marks!’ ( letter from T. H. Huxley, 20 February 1871 ). Asa Gray …
… only the ‘most guarded expressions’ ( letter to St G. J. Mivart, 23 January [1871] ). …
… Abraham Dee Bartlett, Albert Günther, George Busk, T. H. Huxley, Osbert Salvin, and William Henry …
… and misquoting of both Darwin and Catholic theology (T. H. Huxley 1871). Huxley judged Mivart to be …
… Popery and fear for his soul’ ( letter from T. H. Huxley and H. A. Huxley, 20 September 1871 ). …
… who was ‘as good as twice refined gold’ ( letter to H. E. Litchfield, 4 September [1871] ). …
… up to the last with quinine & sherry’ ( letter from H. E. Litchfield to Charles and Emma 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,…

Matches: 2 hits

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

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: 29 hits

… Ever since the publication of Expression , Darwin’s research had centred firmly on botany. The …
… of these projects would culminate in a major publication. Darwin’s botany was increasingly a …
… assisted his father’s research on movement and bloom, and Darwin in turn encouraged his son’s own …
… The year 1877 was more than usually full of honours. Darwin received two elaborate photograph albums …
… 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 …
… primrose and purple loosestrife. In the course of his work, Darwin found a number of other …
… dreadful work making out anything about dried flowers’, Darwin complained to Asa Gray on 8 March …
… which include heterstyled species. This pleases me.’. Darwin dedicated the book to Gray, ‘as a small …
… separate publications together into a larger whole enabled Darwin to advance more speculative views …
… both pollen and seeds’ ( Forms of flowers , p. 344). Darwin was typically pessimistic about the …
… be sold’. His publisher knew from previous experience that Darwin was a poor judge of sales, and …
… after completing his manuscript of Forms of flowers , Darwin took up the problem of ‘bloom’ in …
… characteristic whose purpose was little understood. Darwin had begun studying bloom in August 1873, …
… exchanged between Down and Kew over the next six months. Darwin corresponded most often with the …
… been for your kindness, we sh d . have broken down’, Darwin wrote back on 5 September . ‘As it …
… injury from pure water resting on leaves’. In the end, Darwin did not publish on the subject, but …
… on leaves and the distribution of the stomata’ (F. Darwin 1886). Alongside his work on bloom, …
… closely to the leaves and required a tolerable shake’. Darwin gained another valuable observer in …
… T. Thiselton-Dyer, 25 August 1877 ). At Down House, Darwin and Francis devised a method of …
… with wicked imprecations’ (Trollope 1867; letter to G. J. Romanes, [1 and 2 December 1877] ). …
… up to the mark hereafter is another question’ ( letter to G. H. Darwin, 30 May [1877] ). In the …
… by, or could contain, any earth worms’ ( letter from J. G. Joyce, 15 November 1877 ). Even at …
… between sagging of pavemts & castings’ ( letter to G. H. Darwin, 21 November [1877] ). It is …

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: 18 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 …
… the improvement to Jones’s diet ( see letter to T. H. Huxley, 4 October [1865] ). It was not until …
… hang on it a good many groups of facts.’ ( Letter to T. H. Huxley, 27 May [1865] .) The …
… “producing” this and that modification of structure’ (G. D. Campbell 1864, pp. 275–6). Campbell …
… humans (see Correspondence vol. 10, letter from J. H. Balfour, 14 January 1862 ). According …
… a trying year. In January he had influenza ( letter from F. H. Hooker, [27 January 1865] ); before …
… Carr of Carrlyon , pronouncing it ‘utter trash after G. Eliot’. Darwin replied ( letter to …

Darwin as mentor

Summary

Darwin provided advice, encouragement and praise to his fellow scientific 'labourers' of both sexes. Selected letters Letter 2234 - Darwin to Unidentified, [5 March 1858] Darwin advises that Professor C. P. Smyth’s observations are not…

Matches: 12 hits

… Darwin provided advice, encouragement and praise to his fellow scientific …
… Selected letters Letter 2234 - Darwin to Unidentified, [5 March 1858] Darwin …
… on insufficient grounds. Letter 3934 - Darwin to Scott, J., [21 January 1863] …
… material worthy of publication. Letter 4185 - Darwin to Scott, J., [25 & 28 May …
… worker you are!”. Letter 7605 - Darwin to Darwin, H. E., [20 March 1871] …
… “lucid vigorous style”. In consultation with Emma, Darwin offers Henrietta “some little memorial” in …
… so many observations without aid. Letter 8146 - Darwin to Treat, M., [5 January 1872] …
… scientific journal”. Letter 8171 - Darwin to Wedgwood, L., [21 January 1872] …
… stooping over holes for hours which “tried my head”. Darwin notes that Lucy is worth her weight in …
… he had repeated the experiment. Letter 9580 - Darwin to Darwin, G. H. D., [1 August …
… be submitted to the publisher. Letter 9613 - Darwin to Hooker, J. D., [30 August 1874 …
… work”. Letter 11096 - Darwin to Romanes, G. J., [9 August 1877] Darwin points …

Darwin in letters,1870: Human evolution

Summary

The year 1870 is aptly summarised by the brief entry Darwin made in his journal: ‘The whole of the year at work on the Descent of Man & Selection in relation to Sex’. Descent was the culmination of over three decades of observations and reflections on…

Matches: 23 hits

… The year 1870 is aptly summarised by the brief entry Darwin made in his journal: ‘The whole of the …
… in relation to Sex’. Always precise in his accounting, Darwin reckoned that he had started writing …
… gathered on each of these topics was far more extensive than Darwin had anticipated. As a result, …
… and St George Jackson Mivart, and heated debates sparked by Darwin’s proposed election to the French …
… Finishing Descent; postponing Expression Darwin began receiving proofs of some of the …
… ( letter to Albert Günther, 13 January [1870] ). Darwin was still working hard on parts of the …
… of style, the more grateful I shall be’ ( letter to H. E. Darwin, [8 February 1870] ). She had …
… , the latter when she was just eighteen years of age. Darwin clearly expected her to make a …
… ever have thought that I shd. turn parson?’ ( letter to H. E. Darwin, [8 February 1870] ). …
… thing so unimportant as the mind of man!’ ( letter from H. E. Darwin, [after 8 February 1870] ). …
… philanthropist Frances Power Cobbe. At Cobbe’s suggestion, Darwin read some of Immanuel Kant’s …
… ( letter to F. P. Cobbe, 23 March [1870?] ). Cobbe accused Darwin of smiling in his beard with …
… as animals: ears Despite Cobbe’s plea, most of Darwin’s scientific attention in 1870 was …
… is to criticise them? No one but yourself’ ( letter from H. W. Bates, 20 May 1870 ). Darwin very …
… able to say that I never write reviews’ ( letter to H. W. Bates, [22 May 1870] ). St …
… if I once began to answer objectors’ ( letter to W. H. Flower, 25 March [1870] ). In his letters …
… & valuable labours on the Primates’ ( letter to St G. J. Mivart, 23 April [1870] ). He also …
… an Ape differs from a lump of granite’ ( letter from St G. J. Mivart, 22 April 1870 ). …
… whatever may have been his “origin” ( letter from St G. J. Mivart, 25 April 1870 ). In his …
… out seven devils worse than that first!’ ( letter from T. H. Huxley, 22 June 1870 ). In the …
… highly important for the welfare of mankind’ ( letter to [H. H. Vivian?], [April or May 1870?] ). …
… dark to me and to every one else I suspect’ ( letter from H. B. Jones, 2 August 1870 ). …
… to ride the same horse that had thrown him (letter from G. H. Darwin to H. E. Darwin, [21 – 2 …

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: 27 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 …
… 12, letter to A. R. Wallace, 28 [May 1864] ). Darwin’s theory of sexual selection as …
… 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 …
… and descent in the Fortnightly Review , and asked Darwin for comments. Darwin was clearly …
… ‘fast passing away’ that sparked the most discussion. Darwin wrote to Hooker on 23 February , …
… authorship. John Murray thought it was by Gray himself, but Darwin corrected him: ‘D r Gray would …
… of Science, Robertson published a rejoinder, arousing Darwin’s ire still further: ‘he is a scamp …
… all sorts of subjects In writing Variation , Darwin had been careful to acknowledge …
… great influx of unsolicited letters from persons unknown to Darwin, offering additional facts that …
… 1868 . The letter was addressed to ‘the Rev d C. Darwin M.d’; Binstead evidently assumed Darwin …
… classes, a dim ray of light may be gained’ ( letter to H. T. Stainton, 21 February [1868] ). From …
… of the caudicle of Ophrys muscifera (letters from T. H. Farrer, 17 May 1868 and 18 May …
… to oneself … is no slight gain’ ( letter from T. H. Farrer, 17 September 1868 ). Darwin continued …
… induced him to stay away ( letter from S. J. O’H. Horsman, 2 June [1868] ). But if Horsman …
… at the shrine of D r . Darwin’ ( letter from T. H. Huxley, 20 July 1868 ). Darwin received a …
… and even ‘ preached against’ ( letter from G. D. Hinrichs, [before 13 August 1868] ). Finally, …

Darwin in letters, 1863: Quarrels at home, honours abroad

Summary

At the start of 1863, Charles Darwin was actively working on the manuscript of The variation of animals and plants under domestication, anticipating with excitement the construction of a hothouse to accommodate his increasingly varied botanical experiments…

Matches: 27 hits

… At the start of 1863, Charles Darwin was actively working on the manuscript of The variation of …
… markedly, reflecting a decline in his already weak health. Darwin then began punctuating letters …
… am languid & bedeviled … & hate everybody’. Although Darwin did continue his botanical …
… letter-writing dwindled considerably. The correspondence and Darwin’s scientific work diminished …
… of the water-cure. The treatment was not effective and Darwin remained ill for the rest of the year. …
… the correspondence from the year. These letters illustrate Darwin’s preoccupation with the …
… to man’s place in nature both had a direct bearing on Darwin’s species theory and on the problem …
… detailed anatomical similarities between humans and apes, Darwin was full of praise. He especially …
… I never in my life read anything grander’ ( letter to T. H. Huxley, 26 [February 1863] ). In the …
… in expressing any judgment on Species or origin of man’. Darwin’s concern about the popular …
… Lyell’s and Huxley’s books. Three years earlier Darwin had predicted that Lyell’s forthcoming …
… first half of 1863 focused attention even more closely on Darwin’s arguments for species change. …
… ‘groan’ ( letter to Charles Lyell, 6 March [1863] ). Darwin reiterated in a later letter that it …
… of creation, and the origin of species particularly, worried Darwin; he told Hooker that he had once …
… letter to J. D. Hooker, 24[–5] February [1863] ). Darwin did not relish telling Lyell of his …
… ( letter to Charles Lyell, 6 March [1863] ). Nevertheless, Darwin’s regret was profound that the …
… the ‘brutes’, but added that he would bring many towards Darwin who would have rebelled against …
… from Charles Lyell, 11 March 1863 ). The botanist Asa Gray, Darwin’s friend in the United States, …
… off ( see letter from Asa Gray, 20 April 1863 ). In May, Darwin responded to Gray that Lyell’s and …
… or Modification, ’. Faction fighting Darwin was not alone in feeling disaffected …
… on this subject seems to get rarer & rarer’ ( letter to H. W. Bates, 18 April [1863] ), …
… for the Natural History Review ( see letter to H. W. Bates, 12 January [1863] ). Darwin added …
… to J. D. Hooker, [9 May 1863] , and memorandum from G. H. Darwin, [before 11 May 1863]) . …
… the end of 1862, and published as a book in early 1863 (T. H. Huxley 1863a). Though Darwin was …
… sterility of species, when crossed’ ( letter to T. H. Huxley, 10 [January 1863] ). He reminded …
… both self-pollination and cross-pollination ( letter to P. H. Gosse, 2 June [1863] ). The …
… and Lyell’s Antiquity of man ( see letter from T. H. Huxley, 25 February 1863 , and letter …

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: 28 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 …
… career to become his father’s scientific secretary. Darwin had always relied on assistance from …
… Francis’s decision. A large portion of the letters Darwin received in 1873 were in response …
… the previous year. As was typical, readers wrote to Darwin personally to offer suggestions, …
… some of which were incorporated in a later edition. Darwin also contributed to discussions in the …
… Francis Galton’s work on inherited talent, which prompted Darwin to reflect on the traits and …
… Station at Naples. Plants that eat and feel? Darwin had resumed experiments on the …
… 12 January [1873] ). Drosera was the main focus of Darwin’s study of insectivorous plants, a …
… and alkaloids, and even electrical stimulation. On sending Darwin a specimen of the carnivorous …
… ( letter from J. D. Hooker, 12 January 1873 ). Darwin found that the glandular hairs on the …
… to bend inward, so that the plant closed like a fist. Darwin was fascinated by this transmission of …
… plants , p. 63). The plants secreted a viscid fluid, which Darwin suspected attracted insects by …
… ., p. 17). Through a series of painstaking experiments, Darwin determined that the secretions …
… botanist Mary Treat, who performed experiments suggested by Darwin on the North American species …
… . He began to perform experiments modelled on those of Darwin, feeding the plant egg and raw meat, …
… guide to animal experimentation that Klein had co-authored. Darwin contacted two of the Handbook …
… London, and director of the Brown Institution. Darwin sent an abstract of his preliminary …
… flower would become modified & correlated” ( letter to T. H. Farrer, 14 August 1873 ). …
… throat like a bulldog” ( letter from L. M. Forster to H. E. Litchfield, 20 February 1873 ). The …
… it would offend his father ( enclosure to letter from T. H. Huxley, 3 December 1873 ). In …
… to us to the last day of our lives” ( letter to T. H. Huxley, 23 April 1873 ). Huxley was …
… been without energy & without hope” ( letter from T. H. Huxley, 24 April 1873 ). He accepted …
… “I’m to starve sweat & purge it away” ( letter from G. H. Darwin, [1 October 1873] ). He also …
… some little happiness & enjoyment in life” ( letter to G. H. Darwin, 5 March [1873] ). Darwin …
… “It is a good omen for the future” ( letter to G. H. Darwin, 2 August [1873] ). But he was more …
… world his opinions on the deepest subjects?” ( letter to G. H. Darwin, 21 October [1873] ). Darwin …
… “most strongly on public grounds” ( letter from G. S. Ffinden to Emma Darwin, 24 December 1873 ). …

Darwin in letters, 1867: A civilised dispute

Summary

Charles Darwin’s major achievement in 1867 was the completion of his large work, The variation of animals and plants under domestication (Variation). The importance of Darwin’s network of correspondents becomes vividly apparent in his work on expression in…

Matches: 26 hits

… Charles Darwin’s major achievement in 1867 was the completion of his large work, …
… couple of months were needed to index the work, a task that Darwin handed over to someone else for …
… and animals ( Expression ), published in 1872. Although Darwin had been collecting material and …
… A global reputation The importance of Darwin’s network of correspondents becomes vividly …
… who might best answer the questions, with the result that Darwin began to receive replies from …
… Variation would be based on proof-sheets received as Darwin corrected them. Closer to home, two …
… Charles Fleeming Jenkin, challenged different aspects of Darwin’s theory of transmutation as …
… orchids are fertilised by insects ( Orchids ). While Darwin privately gave detailed opinions of …
… capable hands of Alfred Russel Wallace. At the same time, Darwin was persuaded by some German …
… were becoming counterproductive. Throughout the year, Darwin continued to discuss now …
… in Germany, and Federico Delpino in Italy, who provided Darwin with the collegial support and …
… tedious dull work’ Thomas Henry Huxley sent Darwin the New Year’s greeting, ‘may you be …
… number of copies to be printed, and by the end of the month Darwin promised to send the revised …
… to John Murray, 31 January [1867] ). A week later, Darwin had sent the manuscript to the …
… Descent and Expression . In the same letter, Darwin revealed the conclusion to his newly …
… As the year progressed, the book continued to consume Darwin’s time. The first proof-sheets arrived …
… Russian, German, and French translations had been arranged. Darwin had now found sympathetic …
… was made by a young naturalist equally devoted to Darwin’s work, Vladimir Onufrievich Kovalevsky. …
… brother’s embryological papers with his first letter to Darwin of 15 March 1867 , although he …
… concerned with finding a good translator for his book, Darwin was always on the lookout for evidence …
… link between invertebrates and vertebrates. Finally, Darwin had made sure that Julius Victor …
… he was certain that Carus would undertake the translation. Darwin had received other offers, notably …
… already agreed in principle to translate the work but told Darwin, ‘I am so very much occupied just …
… George Douglas Campbell, published The reign of law (G. D. Campbell 1867), a book based on a …
… ‘I hear he is down on both of us’ ( letter from T. H. Huxley, [before 7 January 1867] ). In …
… for this month; except on wet days’ ( letter from H. B. Jones, 1 October [1867] ). There is no …

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: 27 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 …
… closely involved in every stage of publication of his books, Darwin was keen to ensure that this …
… to bring out the new edition in the United States, Darwin arranged with Murray to have it …
… had to be reset. The investment in stereotype reinforced Darwin’s intention to make no further …
… anatomist St George Jackson Mivart ( letter to St G. J. Mivart, 11 January [1872] ). A …
… objections to the theory of natural selection’, Darwin refuted point by point assertions published …
… Although Mivart was among those who wrote in January to wish Darwin a happy new year, before the …
… critical and anonymously published review of Descent . Darwin’s supporters had rallied to his …
… The republication of Wright’s paper had been arranged by Darwin himself (see Correspondence vol. …
… so bigotted a person as I am made to appear’, complained Darwin ( letter to St G. J. Mivart, 5 …
… that he would willingly acknowledge himself at fault if only Darwin would renounce `fundamental …
… to think he felt friendly towards me’ ( letter to St G. J. Mivart, 8 January [1872] ). Despite …
… the theories of natural and sexual selection to bees (H. Müller 1872), and with his reply Darwin …
… for myself it is dreadful doing nothing’ ( letter to T. H. Huxley, 22 October [1872] ). He was far …
… by her husband, Richard Buckley Litchfield ( letter to H. E. Litchfield, 13 May 1872 ). Delivery …
… 'I know that I am half-killed myself’ ( letter to H. E. Litchfield, 25 July 1872 ). A …
… Charlton Bastian’s recent book on the origin of life (H. C. Bastian 1872; Wallace 1872d) left him …
… pleasant letters & never answer them’ ( letter to T. H. Huxley, 22 October [1872] ). But not …

Darwin Correspondence Project

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