To J. J. Weir 7 May [1868]
Summary
Thanks JJW for his great assistance.
Discusses sexual selection in birds.
Sends queries on secondary sexual characteristics of birds.
Has often marvelled at the different growth of the flowering and creeping branches of ivy.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Jenner Weir |
| Date: | 7 May [1868] |
| Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6165 |
Matches: 18 hits
- … Henslow 1868 ); see also letter from George Henslow, 13 April 1868 . For CD’s own interest …
- … Weir, 27 February [1868] and 29 February [1868] , and letter from J. J. …
- … Weir, [before 5] March 1868 ; see also letter from Harrison Weir, 28 March 1868 . No …
- … 4–7] May 1868 . In his letter to Weir of 18 April [1868] , CD had asked Weir’s opinion of …
- … letter from J. J. Weir, [4–7] May 1868 . Weir had written four letters to CD since CD’s …
- … while young. Weir’s reply is in his letter to CD of 20 April 1868. See letter from J. …
- … began working on the section on birds for Descent on 17 May 1868. See letter from J. J. …
- … Weir, [4–7] May 1868 . See letter to J. J. …
- … letter from J. J. Weir, [4–7] May 1868 . See letter from J. J. …
- … Weir, 20 April 1868 . See letter from J. J. …
- … letter to him: see letters from J. J. Weir, 20 April 1868 , [before 28 April] 1868 , 28 …
- … 1861] and n. 6. See letter from J. J. Weir, 28 April – 4 May 1868 . CD probably refers …
- … J. Weir, [4–7] May 1868 and n. 4. See letters to J. J. …
- … Weir, 4 April [1868] and n. 4. The letter to Abraham Dee Bartlett has not been found. See …
- … in Descent 1: 417 (see letter from J. J. Weir, 24 March 1868 ). In Descent 1: 395, CD …
- … were damaged (see letter from J. J. Weir, [before 5] March 1868 ). According to CD’s ‘ …
- … letter from Richard Spruce to J. D. Hooker, 29 July 1864 , and Climbing plants , p. 105). George Henslow’s paper on phyllotaxis was read at the Linnean Society in April 1868 ( …
- … 1868 . The Gardeners’ Chronicle , 27 April 1861, p. 390, reported that there was a ‘foolish notion’ abroad that the growth of the beans of the previous year was different from that of other years, in that the beans hung down in the pod, rather than being erect; according to the Gardeners’ Chronicle , ‘some of those who insisted on the difference appealed to the position of the suture’. The eccentric growth was thought to coincide with the beginning and the end of the potato blight. See also Correspondence vol. 9, letter …
To J. J. Weir 30 May [1868]
Summary
Glad to have JJW’s opinion on nest-building. Wallace’s view [that skill is learned] is opposed to many facts.
Asks JJW about birds and their behaviour.
Wants information on the first plumage of different breeds of canaries.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Jenner Weir |
| Date: | 30 May [1868] |
| Classmark: | University of Chicago Library, Special Collections Research Center (Joseph Halle Schaffner collection box 1, folder 2) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6215 |
Matches: 11 hits
- … this section. See letter to W. B. Tegetmeier, 20 May [1868] , and letter from W. B. …
- … to J. J. Weir, 18 April [1868] , and letter from J. J. …
- … Weir, 18 May 1868 , and letter from Edward Blyth, 18 May 1868 and nn. 4 and 5. …
- … between this letter and the letter from Edward Blyth, 18 May 1868 . See letter from J. …
- … Bates, 21 May [1868] . Weir apparently did not visit Down in June (see letter to J. J. …
- … Tegetmeier, 25 May 1868 . See also letter to H. W. …
- … Weir, 20 April 1868 . See letter from J. J. …
- … 1868] ; Weir’s comments on the nest-building instinct may have been in the missing portion of this letter. …
- … see, for example, the letter to A. R. Wallace, 5 May [1868] and n. 7). See also letter …
- … 2: 138–238). See letter from J. J. Weir, [14 April 1868] . CD discussed the relation …
- … Pavo spiciferus. See also letter from J. J. Weir, 23 March 1868 and n. 7. CD refers to …
To J. J. Weir 18 April [1868]
Summary
Discusses rapid replacement of mates among birds. "I begin to think that the pairing of birds must be as delicate and tedious an operation as the pairing of young gentlemen and ladies. If I can convince myself that there are habitually many unpaired birds it will be a great aid to me in sexual selection". Notes rivalry of singing birds.
Heard from George Rolleston of the inherited effects of an eye injury.
Disagrees with A. R. Wallace’s idea "that birds learn to make their nests from having seen them whilst young" ["The philosophy of birds’ nests", Intellect. Obs. 11 (1867): 413–20].
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Jenner Weir |
| Date: | 18 Apr [1868] |
| Classmark: | Duke University, Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library (RL.10387) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6128 |
Matches: 14 hits
- … to W. D. Fox, 25 February [1868] , the letter to J. J. Weir, 29 February [1868] , and …
- … missing part of the letter from J. J. Weir, 5 April 1868 , or the letter from J. J. …
- … 2. In his letter of 16 April 1868 , Weir had mentioned unpaired birds and also expressed …
- … this letter and the letter from J. J. Weir, 5 April 1868 . See letters from J. J. …
- … Weir, 5 April 1868 , [14 April 1868] , and 16 April 1868 . See letter from J. J. …
- … J. Weir, [before 3] March 1868 and [before 5] March 1868 . See letter from J. J. …
- … letter from J. J. Weir, 5 April 1868 and n. 6. See letter from J. J. Weir, 5 April …
- … 14 April 1868] . For earlier discussion of bullfinch behaviour, see the letters from J. …
- … Weir, 4 April [1868] and n. 4. See letter from J. J. Weir, 16 April 1868 . In a note …
- … blood (DAR 85: B103). See letter from J. J. Weir, 5 April 1868 . CD refers to Edward …
- … refers to William Reeves . See also letter to W. D. Fox, 25 February [1868] and n. …
- … of sexual selection. See letter from J. J. Weir, [14 April 1868] . CD included the …
- … Weir, 16 April 1868 and n. 9. CD refers to Abraham Dee Bartlett ; see letter to J. J. …
- … 1868] and n. 3; in Descent 2: 105–6, CD cited Weir on the incident. For the case of the magpies, see the letter …
To J. J. Weir 4 April [1868]
Summary
CD thanks JJW for the mine of information his last "ten!" letters contain. Comments on sexual display of pheasants and colour preferences of pigeons.
Asks about hens that pair earliest in spring and about possible existence of unpaired birds.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Jenner Weir |
| Date: | 4 Apr [1868] |
| Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6090 |
Matches: 9 hits
- … Descent 2: 118. Roland Trimen visited CD in London on 25 March 1868 (see letter to Roland …
- … letter to J. J. Weir, 27 March [1868] , and letter from J. J. Weir, 31 March 1868 and …
- … Trimen, [21 March 1868] ). See letter from Edward Hewitt, 28 March 1868 . In Descent 2: …
- … CD refers to ten letters from Weir dated between [after 27 February] 1868 and …
- … Weir, 24 March 1868 ), CD had asked whether he should forward Weir’s letter to Wallace, …
- … pheasant species. See letter from H. W. Weir, 28 March 1868 . Dun Hen Carrier: a female …
- … of male plumage. See letters from J. J. Weir, 7 March 1868 , 23 March 1868 , and 31 …
- … the Fringillidae, see the letter from J. J. Weir, 11 March 1868 . The order Gallinaceae …
- … 1868. Alfred Russel Wallace had asked Weir to carry out experiments to test Wallace’s theory that brightly coloured caterpillars would be refused by birds (see Correspondence vol. 15, letter …
To J. J. Weir [6 March 1868]
Summary
Discusses beaks and relative numbers of the sexes of goldfinches.
Comments on sexual selection among butterflies.
Mentions Kerguelen moth collected by Hooker.
Comments on JJW’s observations on coloured birds.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Jenner Weir |
| Date: | [6 Mar 1868] |
| Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.348) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5986 |
Matches: 8 hits
- … the colour of a chaffinch, in his letter of [before 5] March 1868 . Weir mentioned …
- … receiving his copy of Variation in his letter of [before 5] March 1868 . …
- … 5] March 1868 . See letter from J. J. …
- … 18 February [1868] . In his letter of [before 5] March 1868 , Weir had mentioned Triphaena …
- … Weir, [before 3] March 1868 and n. 5. See letter from J. J. …
- … vol. 16, Appendix II)). See letters from J. J. Weir, [before 3] March 1868 and [before …
- … Weir, [before 5] March 1868 and n. 5. See letter to H. T. …
- … in Descent 1: 395. See letter from J. J. Weir, [before 5] March 1868 and n. 11. CD had …
To J. J. Weir 22 March [1868]
Summary
Glad to hear about pigeons. Did not know some birds could win affections of females more than others, except among peacocks.
Comments on polygamy in birds.
Discusses sex ratios among birds.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Jenner Weir |
| Date: | 22 Mar [1868] |
| Classmark: | Private collection |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6038 |
Matches: 7 hits
- … 5. See letter from Giovanni Canestrini, 13 March 1868 . …
- … letter from J. J. Weir, 16 March 1868 . See letter from J. J. Weir, 16 March 1868 . CD …
- … See letter from Armand de Quatrefages, 4 March 1868 . CD had spent most of March 1868 in …
- … 119–21, 152. See letter to Edward Hewitt , [ c. 22 March 1868]. See letter from J. J. …
- … and Henry Tibbats Stainton . See letter to H. T. Stainton, 2 March [1868] and n. …
- … was Harrison Weir. See letter from J. J. Weir, 16 March 1868 . Robert Heron discussed …
- … Weir, 16 March 1868 and nn. 6 and 8. See letter from A. R. Wallace, 24 February 1868 . …
To J. J. Weir 27 March [1868]
Summary
Thanks for information [about sex ratios] received from bird-catchers.
"Can you form any theory about all the many cases which you have given me and others which have been published, of when one pair is killed, another soon appearing?"
Facts about gay-coloured caterpillars very satisfactory.
Comments on Pangenesis.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Jenner Weir |
| Date: | 27 Mar [1868] |
| Classmark: | Linnean Society of London (Quentin Keynes Collection) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6059 |
Matches: 7 hits
- … 357–404). Wallace had expressed support for the theory in his letter of 24 February 1868 . …
- … this letter and the letter from J. J. Weir, [26] March 1868 . See letters from J. J. …
- … Weir, 23 March 1868 , 24 March 1868 , and [26] March 1868 . See letter from J. J. …
- … Weir, [26] March 1868 and n. 7. See letter from J. J. Weir, 23 March 1868 . In a note …
- … See letter from J. J. Weir, 23 March 1868 and n. 2. …
- … to Alfred Russel Wallace . See letter from J. J. Weir, 23 March 1868 and n. 6. Weir’s …
- … the information on nightingales. See letter from J. J. Weir, 24 March 1868 and n. 1. …
From J. J. Weir 5 April 1868
Summary
George Rolleston’s son was born with a scar on his knee exactly where GR cut himself with a knife years before his marriage. Gives several other examples of inherited mutilation.
| Author: | John Jenner Weir |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 5 Apr 1868 |
| Classmark: | DAR 181: 74 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6093 |
From J. J. Weir 7 March 1868
Summary
Various facts about birds: pairing, finding new mates, protective coloration, polygamy, sexual differences.
| Author: | John Jenner Weir |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 7 Mar 1868 |
| Classmark: | DAR 86: A21–4 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5995 |
From J. J. Weir [before 5] March 1868
Summary
Does not think females give preference to any males. Coloration, pugnacity; cases of use of colour in struggle for existence. [see Descent 1: 395.]
| Author: | John Jenner Weir |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [before 5] Mar 1868 |
| Classmark: | DAR 82: A109–12 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5985 |
Matches: 5 hits
- … 16, Appendix IV). See letter to J. J. Weir, 29 February [1868] and letter from J. J. …
- … before 3] March 1868 . In his letter of [before 3] March 1868 , Weir had written that male …
- … for Colias edusa (see n. 5, above). See letter to J. J. Weir, [6 March 1868] and n. 7. …
- … this letter and the letter to J. J. Weir, [6 March 1868] . Weir’s name appears on CD’s …
- … a dye ( OED ). See letter to J. J. Weir, 27 February [1868] . Henry Walter Bates and …
To J. J. Weir 5 June 1868
Summary
Sorry JJW cannot visit.
Will go to sea-side for five weeks at end of July.
Does Vidua have double annual moult? [See Descent 2: 181.]
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Jenner Weir |
| Date: | 5 June 1868 |
| Classmark: | DAR 148: 317; Duke University, Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library (RL.10387) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6232 |
Matches: 4 hits
- … declined the invitation in his letter of 3 June 1868 , which is incomplete. Weir visited …
- … invited Weir to Down in his letter to Weir of 30 May [1868] . Weir …
- … of Wight from 17 July to 20 August 1868. See letter from J. J. Weir, 3 June 1868 . There …
- … See letter from J. J. Weir, 3 June 1868 . CD …
To J. J. Weir 17 October 1868
Summary
Enjoyed JJW’s visit.
Interested in changes in plumage of pheasants.
Still at work on sexual selection in birds.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Jenner Weir |
| Date: | 17 Oct 1868 |
| Classmark: | DAR 148: 320 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6422 |
From J. J. Weir [before 17] October 1868
Summary
Both sexes of Crossoptilon auritum (eared pheasant) obtained the red cheeks the first year.
Coloration of the linnet.
| Author: | John Jenner Weir |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [before 17] Oct 1868 |
| Classmark: | DAR 86: A36, 53; DAR 84.1: 139 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6421 |
Matches: 4 hits
- … 18 June 1868] , and letter to J. J. Weir, 18 June [1868] . CD and Alfred Newton referred …
- … 17 October 1868 . Weir had visited Down House on 12 and 13 September (see letter to J. …
- … in linnets and redpolls; see letters from J. J. Weir, 11 March 1868 , and [before …
- … 1868] and n. 9). He also refers to the Zoological Gardens, Regent’s Park, London. In Descent 1: 290, CD stated that the plumage and crimson head appeared early in life in both sexes of Crossoptilon auritum , the eared pheasant; he noted that he received this information from the Zoological Gardens. CD cited Weir for this information on plumage changes in young males of the ‘Gold pheasant’ in Descent 2: 213 n. 34. CD and Weir had already exchanged letters …
From J. J. Weir 31 March 1868
Summary
Sexual behaviour of chaffinches.
Numbers of female linnets in September.
His experiments on brightly coloured larvae [as food], testing A. R. Wallace’s theory.
His observations of a rookery make him wonder whether it may not be more difficult than we think for birds to pair.
| Author: | John Jenner Weir |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 31 Mar 1868 |
| Classmark: | DAR 46.1: 98–101, DAR 84.1: 69–70 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6074 |
Matches: 6 hits
- … Weir, 27 March [1868] . See letter to J. J. …
- … See letter to J. J. Weir, 27 March [1868] and n. 3. See letter from J. J. …
- … Weir, 27 March [1868] and n. 7. See letter to J. J. Weir, 27 March [1868] and n. 6. …
- … Weir, [26] March 1868 and n. 4. See also letter to J. J. …
- … Russel Wallace . See letter to J. J. Weir, 27 March [1868] . Muscicapa griseola (now …
- … 1868 | Struggle for existence with Rooks’ added pencil 12.1 one pair … from 15.2] crossed pencil 15.1 There were] after opening square bracket ; ‘Rooks’ added pencil 16.1 I have … built 16.2] scored pencil 18.1 May … birds? — 18.2] crossed pencil ; scored red crayon Top of letter : ‘ …
To J. J. Weir 29 February [1868]
Summary
JJW’s note on birds was one of the most interesting CD has ever received. Asks several questions. CD is puzzled by cases of magpies whose mates were killed but who always immediately found others.
Alexander Wallace denies any effect of colour in sexual selection among Lepidoptera.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Jenner Weir |
| Date: | 29 Feb [1868] |
| Classmark: | Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5958 |
Matches: 5 hits
- … letter and the letter from J. J. Weir, [after 27 February] 1868 . Letter from J. J. …
- … 2. See letter from Alexander Wallace, 28 February 1868 . The brimstone is Gonepteryx …
- … had asked about these butterflies in his letter to H. T. Stainton, 28 February [1868] . …
- … 1868 . CD had visited Harrision William Weir in 1856 (see Correspondence vol. 6, letter …
- … is in DAR 84.2: 202. See also letter to W. D. Fox, 25 February [1868] and n. …
From J. J. Weir [14 April 1868]
Summary
Starlings find new mates readily. Nesting in threes common.
Recognition of song by birds.
| Author: | John Jenner Weir |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [14 Apr 1868] |
| Classmark: | DAR 84.1: 88–9 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6152 |
To J. J. Weir 13 March [1868]
Summary
Thanks for facts about birds displaying plumage during courtship; "for Butterflies I must trust to analogy altogether in regard to sexual selection".
Invites JJW to visit in summer.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Jenner Weir |
| Date: | 13 Mar [1868] |
| Classmark: | The British Library (Egerton MS 2952: 8–10) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6009 |
To J. J. Weir 18 June [1868]
Summary
CD thanks JJW for letter about the crimson breast of linnets
and the fate of a pugnacious female bullfinch.
Refers to JJW’s pointing out the number of Jenners and Weirs who have been naturalists, and cites some writings by men of those families about striking cases of birds.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Jenner Weir |
| Date: | 18 June [1868] |
| Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6250 |
From J. J. Weir 20 April 1868
Summary
Instinct in birds; nest-building.
Inheritance of acquired characters.
| Author: | John Jenner Weir |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 20 Apr 1868 |
| Classmark: | DAR 181: 76 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6130 |
Matches: 5 hits
- … In his letter of 5 April 1868 , Weir had told CD that Percy J. Weir had been born with a …
- … SE 20 th April 1868 My Dear Sir My Brother has sent off several circular letters on your …
- … see letter to J. J. Weir, 18 April [1868] and n. 14). See letter to J. J. …
- … mentioning circular letters has been found. See letter to J. J. Weir, 18 April [1868] . …
- … 1868] and n. 16. The reed warbler is now Acrocephalus scirpaceus ; Lewes is a town in Sussex. Turdus merula . Weir refers to CD’s remarks in Variation 1: 279 and 2: 263 on changes in the appearance of wild ducks subjected to generations of domestication. The mallard is now Anas platyrhynchos ; the shelduck is now Tadorna tadorna . CD’s annotation appears at the top of the second page of the letter …
From J. J. Weir [before 30 May 1868]
Summary
Reversion of tamed animals to wild behaviour.
| Author: | John Jenner Weir |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [before 30 May 1868] |
| Classmark: | DAR 181: 73 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5748 |
| letter | (42) |
| Weir, J. J. | (25) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (17) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (25) |
| Weir, J. J. | (17) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (42) |
| Weir, J. J. |
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: 1 hits
- … On 6 March 1868, Darwin wrote to the entomologist and accountant John Jenner Weir, ‘If …
Darwin’s queries on expression
Summary
When Darwin resumed systematic research on emotions around 1866, he began to collect observations more widely and composed a list of queries on human expression. A number of handwritten copies were sent out in 1867 (see, for example, letter to Fritz Muller…
Matches: 1 hits
- … When Darwin resumed systematic research on emotions around 1866, he began to collect observations …
6430_10256
Summary
From Sven Nilsson to J. D. Hookerf1 25 October 1868Lund (Suède)25 Okt. 1868.Monsieur le Professeur! J’ai écrit à deux de mes amis qui ont des connaissances personnelles à la Lapponie, pour avoir les…
Matches: 1 hits
- … From Sven Nilsson to J. D. Hooker f1 25 October 1868 …
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: 1 hits
- … Observers | Fieldwork | Experimentation | Editors and critics | Assistants …
Cross and self fertilisation
Summary
The effects of cross and self fertilisation in the vegetable kingdom, published on 10 November 1876, was the result of a decade-long project to provide evidence for Darwin’s belief that ‘‘Nature thus tells us, in the most emphatic manner, that she abhors…
Matches: 1 hits
- … The effects of cross and self fertilisation in the vegetable kingdom , published on 10 November …
5935_4582
Summary
From J. D. Hooker 26[–7] February 1868KewFeby 26th/68Dear Darwin I have been bursting with impatience to hear what you would say of the Athenæum Review & who wrote it— I could not conceive who…
Matches: 1 hits
- … From J. D. Hooker 26[–7] February 1868 Kew Feby 26 …
Reading my roommate’s illustrious ancestor: To T. H. Huxley, 10 June 1868
Summary
My roommate at Harvard College was Tom Baum, now a Hollywood screenwriter. Tom’s full name is Thomas Henle Baum, his middle name a reference to a German physician ancestor for whom the ‘Loop of Henle’ in the kidney had been named. Other than this iconic…
Matches: 1 hits
- … My roommate at Harvard College was Tom Baum, now a Hollywood screenwriter. Tom’s full name is …
5873_1488
Summary
From B. J. Sulivan 13 February [1868]f1 Bournemouth Feby. 13. My dear Darwin As Mr Stirling has sent me the recpt. you may as well have it with the Photo of the four Fuegian boys which he wishes me to send you in case you have not seen it. He…
Matches: 1 hits
- … From B. J. Sulivan 13 February [1868] f1 Bournemouth Feby. 13. My dear …
Diagrams and drawings in letters
Summary
Over 850 illustrations from the printed volumes of The Correspondence of Charles Darwin have been added to the online transcripts of the letters. The contents include maps, diagrams, drawings, sketches and photographs, covering geological, botanical,…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Over 850 illustrations from the printed volumes of The Correspondence of Charles Darwin have …
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: 1 hits
- … Target audience? | Female readership | Reading Variation Darwin's …
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: 1 hits
- … At the start of 1869, Darwin was hard at work making changes and additions for a fifth edition of …
Religion
Summary
Design|Personal Belief|Beauty|The Church Perhaps the most notorious realm of controversy over evolution in Darwin's day was religion. The same can be said of the evolution controversy today; however the nature of the disputes and the manner in…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Design | Personal Belief | Beauty | The Church Perhaps the most notorious …
Inheritance
Summary
It was crucial to Darwin’s theories of species change that naturally occurring variations could be inherited. But at the time when he wrote Origin, he had no explanation for how inheritance worked – it was just obvious that it did. Darwin’s attempt to…
Matches: 1 hits
- … 'Hypotheses may often be of service to science, when they involve a certain portion of …
Descent
Summary
There are more than five hundred letters associated with the research and writing of Darwin’s book, Descent of man and selection in relation to sex (Descent). They trace not only the tortuous route to eventual publication, but the development of Darwin’s…
Matches: 1 hits
- … ‘ Our ancestor was an animal which breathed water, had a swim-bladder, a great swimming …
Natural Science and Femininity
Summary
Discussion Questions|Letters A conflation of masculine intellect and feminine thoughts, habits and feelings, male naturalists like Darwin inhabited an uncertain gendered identity. Working from the private domestic comfort of their homes and exercising…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Discussion Questions | Letters A conflation of masculine intellect and feminine …
Controversy
Summary
The best-known controversies over Darwinian theory took place in public or in printed reviews. Many of these were highly polemical, presenting an over-simplified picture of the disputes. Letters, however, show that the responses to Darwin were extremely…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Disagreement & Respect | Conduct of Debate | Darwin & Wallace The best-known …
Darwin and the Church
Summary
The story of Charles Darwin’s involvement with the church is one that is told far too rarely. It shows another side of the man who is more often remembered for his personal struggles with faith, or for his role in large-scale controversies over the…
Matches: 1 hits
- … The story of Charles Darwin’s involvement with the church is one that is told far too rarely. It …
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: 1 hits
- … The year 1870 is aptly summarised by the brief entry Darwin made in his journal: ‘The whole of the …
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…
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- … At the start of 1863, Charles Darwin was actively working on the manuscript of The variation of …
Referencing women’s work
Summary
Darwin's correspondence shows that women made significant contributions to Darwin's work, but whether and how they were acknowledged in print involved complex considerations of social standing, professional standing, and personal preference.…
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- … Darwin's correspondence shows that women made significant contributions to Darwin's work, but …
