To J. S. Henslow [21 January 1838]
Summary
Sends rock specimen for W. H. Miller. Asks JSH to see whether there is any geology in P. B. Webb and Sabin Berthelot, Histoire naturelle des Îles Canaries [1835–50]. Finds his work on geology growing so large that it will take more than one volume and asks whether this will make publication aid more difficult.
Has accepted Secretaryship of the Geological Society.
Will not come to Cambridge because "as long as I continue well I cannot bear to leave my work for half a day".
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Stevens Henslow |
| Date: | [21 Jan 1838] |
| Classmark: | Historical Society of Pennsylvania (Dreer collection) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-400 |
Matches: 5 hits
- … Capt. FitzRoy RN, during the years 1832 to 1836. By Charles Darwin. London: Smith, Elder & …
- … 3 December [1837] , n. 3. Webb and Berthelot 1836–50. The work was published in 106 ‘ …
- … 1937 some parts were available as early as 1836. Early in 1838, Smith, Elder & Co . , the …
- … Capt. FitzRoy RN, during the years 1832 to 1836. By Charles Darwin. London: Smith, Elder & …
- … Capt. FitzRoy RN, during the years 1832 to 1836. By Charles Darwin. London: Smith, Elder & …
To William Lonsdale [15 May 1838]
Summary
Returns his paper for publication ["Volcanic phenomena in South America" (1840), Collected papers 1: 53–86].
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Lonsdale |
| Date: | [15 May 1838] |
| Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-412 |
From William Buckland to the Geological Society of London 9 March 1838
Summary
Recommends CD’s paper on "Formation of mould" [Collected papers 1: 49–53; read 1 Nov 1837] be printed in Transactions. Praises it as establishing a new "geological power".
| Author: | William Buckland |
| Addressee: | Geological Society of London |
| Date: | 9 Mar 1838 |
| Classmark: | Geological Society of London (GSL/COM/P/4/2/47) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-404 |
To Charles Lyell 9 August [1838]
Summary
Comments on receiving copy of Lyell’s Elements [of geology]. Much is new to CD, and he is copying out notes and references.
Criticises geological work of John Phillips.
Describes expedition to Glen Roy, about which he is writing a paper ["Parallel roads of Glen Roy" (1839), Collected papers 1: 87–137].
Enjoys the Athenaeum Club.
Criticises entomological work of F. W. Hope.
Asks Lyell to obtain for him a copy of barometric readings made at Leith.
Asks him to ascertain altitude of several Scottish lochs.
Comments on FitzRoy’s character.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Charles Lyell, 1st baronet |
| Date: | 9 Aug [1838] |
| Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.10) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-424 |
Matches: 4 hits
- … of London. CD refers here to Hope 1836 . The British Association had been subjected to …
- … 22: 327–56. Hope, Frederick William. 1836. Observations on succinic insects. Transactions …
- … 1: 133–47. Journal and remarks : Journal and remarks. 1832–1836. By Charles Darwin. Vol. …
- … and Beagle between the years 1826 and 1836, describing their examination of the southern …
To Susan Darwin [1 April 1838]
Summary
FitzRoy is hard at work on his book [Narrative, vol. 2].
CD’s health is improved.
Describes his visit to zoo.
Gives news of E. A. Darwin and Harriet Martineau.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Susan Elizabeth Darwin |
| Date: | [1 Apr 1838] |
| Classmark: | DAR 223: 39 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-407 |
From Robert FitzRoy 26 February 1838
Summary
His work [on vol. 2 of Narrative] is going slowly.
Has no objection to anything in CD’s excellent volume. CD should "entertain no further scruple on that subject".
| Author: | Robert FitzRoy |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 26 Feb 1838 |
| Classmark: | DAR 204: 145 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-403 |
To Emma Wedgwood [27 November 1838]
Summary
CD and Erasmus continue to search for a house in central London. They have tea with the Carlyles.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin |
| Date: | [27 Nov 1838] |
| Classmark: | DAR 210.8: 6 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-445 |
From W. D. Fox [c. November 1838]
Summary
Reports on the effects of inbreeding in dogs and the results of crossing Canada and common geese.
| Author: | William Darwin Fox |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [c. Nov 1838] |
| Classmark: | DAR 164: 173 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-418 |
From Charles Lyell 6 and 8 September 1838
Summary
Would like to talk over Salisbury Craigs with CD.
CL’s father enthusiastic over Journal of researches.
Comments on Élie de Beaumont’s theory of mountain elevation.
Asks about parallel lines of upheaval and depression in the Pacific.
Glad CD likes Athenaeum Club.
Comments on methods of work.
Invites CD to visit Kinnordy.
Defends BAAS: "in this country no importance is attached to any body of men who do not make occasional demonstrations of their strength in public meetings".
With respect to Glen Roy, notes existence of deposits destitute of shells.
| Author: | Charles Lyell, 1st baronet |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 6 and 8 Sept 1838 |
| Classmark: | K. M. Lyell 1881 2: 43 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-425 |
To C. T. Whitley 23 November [1838]
Summary
Announces his engagement.
Glad CW wondered at Glen Roy. "I saw nothing in my peregrinations to the Antipodes nearly so curious in physical geography."
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Charles Thomas Whitley |
| Date: | 23 Nov [1838] |
| Classmark: | Shrewsbury School, Taylor Library |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-443 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … married his cousin, Frances Whitley , in 1836. James William Lucas Heaviside was Professor …
To W. D. Fox [15 June 1838]
Summary
Has not been well.
Plans a geological trip to Glen Roy in Scotland.
Thanks WDF for remembering the crossing of animals, CD’s "prime hobby". "I really think some day I shall be able to do something on that most intricate subject species and varieties."
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | [15 June 1838] |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 54) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-419 |
To [unidentified] 12 September [1838]
Summary
Seeks permission to make another visit to Addiscombe [Military College] to see again the model of St Helena. He needs to correct proportion of some geological sections in his Geology [see Volcanic islands, ch. 4].
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Unidentified |
| Date: | 12 Sept [1838] |
| Classmark: | The Morgan Library and Museum, New York (Gordon N. Ray Collection MA 13958) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-427 |
To Eugène Robert 28 March 1838
Summary
Discusses the geology of volcanic islands.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Louis Eugène (Eugène) Robert |
| Date: | 28 Mar 1838 |
| Classmark: | Robert 1840, pp. 443–4 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-350F |
To Caroline Wedgwood [May 1838]
Summary
His books grow in size. Hopes to bring out work on volcanic islands and coral formations in the autumn or winter. The Journal of researches will not be published until autumn [actually not until 1839]. Whewell and Lyell flatter him about it. Has given up all society.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Caroline Sarah (Caroline) Darwin; Caroline Sarah (Caroline) Wedgwood |
| Date: | [May 1838] |
| Classmark: | DAR 154: 53 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-411 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … Capt. FitzRoy RN, during the years 1832 to 1836. By Charles Darwin. London: Smith, Elder & …
To T. L. Mitchell [1838]
Summary
Sends suggestions for points that would interest geologists in a description of valleys in the Blue Mountains [New South Wales].
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Thomas Livingstone Mitchell |
| Date: | [1838] |
| Classmark: | Mitchell Library, Sydney (A 295/1, vol. VI., Misc. pp. 85–8) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-468 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, in January 1836 (see DAR 38.1: 829–36 for his field notes, …
To William John Broderip [August–December 1838]
Summary
Would like to arrange a meeting about CD’s collection of shells [from the Beagle voyage].
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William John Broderip |
| Date: | [Aug–Dec 1838] |
| Classmark: | Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge (GEN/D/DARWIN (C)/3) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-422 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … Capt. FitzRoy RN, during the years 1832 to 1836. By Charles Darwin. London: Smith, Elder & …
To C. T. Whitley [8 May 1838]
Summary
Treasures recollections of old friends but seldom sees any. Has turned "a complete scribbler".
His scientific activities.
No wife in sight so far.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Charles Thomas Whitley |
| Date: | [8 May 1838] |
| Classmark: | Shrewsbury School, Taylor Library |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-411A |
Matches: 1 hit
- … married Frances Whitley , his cousin, in 1836. John Maurice Herbert had a reputation for …
From John Gould [13 April] 1838
Summary
Thanks CD for his present of a dram bottle [actually a silver-cased compass]. JG will be reminded daily of their friendship when he is in the wilds [of Australia].
| Author: | John Gould |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [13 Apr] 1838 |
| Classmark: | Natural History Museum, Library and Archives (Tring Museum Correspondence) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-409A |
Matches: 1 hit
- … FitzRoy RN, during the years 1832 to 1836. Edited and superintended by Charles Darwin. 5 …
To John Stevens Henslow 3 November 1838
Summary
Relates plan for an appendix to his Journal of researches which will include facts of species of birds’ being different in different islands of the Galápagos and also of the lizards and tortoises on the islands. Asks JSH whether he can supply parallels in the plant life.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Stevens Henslow |
| Date: | 3 Nov 1838 |
| Classmark: | Smithsonian Libraries and Archives (Dibner Library of the History of Science and Technology MSS 2031 A. Gift of H. W. Lende Jr) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-429A |
Matches: 1 hit
- … 1, letter to J. S. Henslow, [28–9] January 1836 and n. 2). Observations by CD on the …
To Charles Lyell [14] September [1838]
Summary
Comments on an article in Edinburgh Review [by David Brewster, 67 (1838): 271–308] on Comte’s Philosophie positive.
Discusses falsity of Élie de Beaumont’s views of contemporaneous parallel lines of elevation and subsidence.
Owen’s views of relationship of reptiles to birds.
On "question of species" CD has filled notebook after notebook with facts, "which begin to group themselves clearly under sub-laws".
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Charles Lyell, 1st baronet |
| Date: | [14] Sept [1838] |
| Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.11) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-428 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … Notebooks : Charles Darwin’s notebooks, 1836–1844. Geology, transmutation of species, …
| letter | (21) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (16) |
| Buckland, William | (1) |
| FitzRoy, Robert | (1) |
| Fox, W. D. | (1) |
| Gould, John | (1) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (4) |
| Henslow, J. S. | (2) |
| Lyell, Charles | (2) |
| Whitley, C. T. | (2) |
| Broderip, W. J. | (1) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (20) |
| Lyell, Charles | (3) |
| Fox, W. D. | (2) |
| Gould, John | (2) |
| Henslow, J. S. | (2) |
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,…
Darwin & coral reefs
Summary
The central idea of Darwin's theory of coral reef formation, as it was later formulated, was that the islands were formed by the upward growth of coral as the Pacific Ocean floor gradually subsided. It overturned previous ideas and would in itself…
Capturing Darwin’s voice: audio of selected letters
Summary
On a sunny Wednesday in June 2011 in a makeshift recording studio somewhere in Cambridge, we were very pleased to welcome Terry Molloy back to the Darwin Correspondence Project for a special recording session. Terry, known for his portrayal of Davros in Dr…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Beagle letters (e.g. letter to Caroline Darwin, 29 April 1836 ) to the more considered and …
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…
John Maurice Herbert
Summary
John Maurice Herbert was a close friend of Darwin’s at Cambridge University. He was affectionately called ‘Cherbury’ by Darwin, a reference to the seventeenth-century philosopher Edward Herbert, Baron Cherbury, who, like John Herbert, hailed from…
Matches: 1 hits
- … no effect. ’ Darwin and Herbert spent Christmas 1836 together in Cambridge , indulging their …
Darwin’s reading notebooks
Summary
In April 1838, Darwin began recording the titles of books he had read and the books he wished to read in Notebook C (Notebooks, pp. 319–28). In 1839, these lists were copied and continued in separate notebooks. The first of these reading notebooks (DAR 119…
Matches: 28 hits
- … Hist. [Jenyns 1838] Prichard; a 3 d . vol [Prichard 1836–47] Lawrence [W. Lawrence 1819] …
- … 1829] Prostitution of Paris [Parent-Duchâtelet 1836]. about licentiousness destroying their …
- … has pub. in 1 st vol of Annals of Vienna [Endlicher 1836]. sketch of S. sea Botany R. …
- … Col. le Couteur has written on wheat [Le Couteur 1836] Bechstein on Caged Birds. 10 s 6 d …
- … [?Heisch 1842] Coleridge. Literary Remains [Coleridge 1836–9] Inconsistency of Human …
- … and Duméril 1821] Encyclop of Anat & Phys [Todd ed. 1836–59] [DAR *119: 14] …
- … 36s.— Wiegmann. Archif fur Naturgeschicte. 33 1836. Meyen on distrib of plants in …
- … race-horse during past & present century. Hookham” [Anon. 1836]: worth looking at. Low has …
- … Königlichen Akad: der Wissen: Aus dem Jahre 1834.— Berlin 1836.— “Vergleich: Anat der Myxinoiden”. …
- … (Read) Buckland Bridgewater Treatise [Buckland 1836] [DAR *119: 19v.] …
- … Cattle, &c.) [Jardine 1835–6] 15. Parrots [Selby 1836]. 26. Honey Bees [Jardine ed …
- … Life of L d . Clive. by Malcolm [Malcolm 1836] H. Dixon Life of Pen [W. H. Dixon 1851].— …
- … Sir J. Sebright’s Pamphlets [Sebright 1809 and 1836]— } not abstracted …
- … [DAR 119: 4a] Lessings Laocoon [Lessing 1836] Whewell inductive History [Whewell …
- … 1835] Mackintosh’s Ethical Philosophy [Mackintosh 1836] Bell on the Hand [C. Bell 1833 …
- … Sept. 25 th . Prichard. Physical Researches [Prichard 1836–47]. Volumes II with references at end …
- … [Bell 1806]. Bucklands Bridgewater Treatise [Buckland 1836] Read half through Swedish …
- … Cyprinidae from the vol 19. Asiatic Researches [McClelland 1836].— References at end.—— …
- … 1823] & first 2 d 71 vol of Wordsworth [Wordsworth 1836–7] 26 th . Carlyle. Hero …
- … prolix —— 3 d vol of Wordsworth [Wordsworth 1836–7]. Giaour [Byron 1813] —— Some …
- … —— Col. le-Couteur on Wheat [Le Couteur 1836]. marked.— 25 Youatt on Sheep [Youatt 1837] d …
- … & Letters [Shelley 1840].— Some Wordsworth [Wordsworth 1836–7]. —— Part of Waltons lives …
- … Mahons Hist. Peace of Utrecht to La Chapelle [Stanhope 1836–54] III Vols. —— 17 th Laing …
- … 1842] —— Finished Wordsworth 6 vols. [Wordsworth 1836–7] [DAR 119: 12a] …
- … [Drury 1729] —— 20 Astoria.— by Irving [Irving 1836] 1844 Jan 7 th …
- … Lay 1839] —— B. Hall’s Schloss Hainfell [Hall 1836]. April 26 th : Martin Chuzzlewit …
- … Yarrell does not compare British with N. American [Yarrell 1836].— March I. G. St. Hilaire …
- … 1844] Jan 5 th . L d . Mahon History [Stanhope 1836–54] IV vol: 14 Thaleba by …
Robert FitzRoy
Summary
Robert FitzRoy was captain of HMS Beagle when Darwin was aboard. From 1831 to 1836 the two men lived in the closest proximity, their relationship revealed by the letters they exchanged while Darwin left the ship to explore the countries visited during the…
Matches: 8 hits
- … of HMS Beagle when Darwin was aboard. From 1831 to 1836 the two men lived in the closest …
- … FitzRoy, who commanded the Beagle from 1828 to 1836 during two surveying voyages to the southern …
- … When the Beagle docked at Falmouth on 2 October 1836, two years later than originally planned, …
- … !!!!!!! ’. He wed his long-term fiancée in December 1836—‘ a most inconvenient time to marry ’, …
- … but adamant in the importance of missionary work. In 1836, Darwin joined with FitzRoy in …
- … Instead, after marrying the pious Mary O’Brien in 1836, and publishing the account of the Beagle …
- … will be his end,’ Darwin wrote about FitzRoy in January 1836, ‘ under many circumstances I am sure, …
- … Anderson, ed., Narrative of the Beagle voyage, 1831-1836 , 4 vols. London: Pickering & Chatto …
Darwin in letters, 1821-1836: Childhood to the Beagle voyage
Summary
Darwin's first known letters were written when he was twelve. They continue through school-days at Shrewsbury, two years as a medical student at Edinburgh University, the undergraduate years at Cambridge, and the of the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle.…
Matches: 4 hits
- … and the five years of the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle . In 1836, the twenty-seven-year-old traveller …
- … society When Darwin returned to England in October 1836 it was with the firm intention of …
- … in the ornithological notes written during the summer of 1836, when, homeward bound, he was …
- … ‘Ornithological notes’ p. 262). In the winter of 1836 the question of the stability of …
Journal of researches
Summary
Within two months of the Beagle’s arrival back in England in October 1836, Darwin, although busy with distributing his specimens among specialists for description, and more interested in working on his geological research, turned his mind to the task of…
Matches: 3 hits
Introduction to the Satire of FitzRoy's Narrative of the Voyages of the Adventure and Beagle
Summary
'a humble toadyish follower…': Not all pictures of Darwin during the Beagle voyage are flattering. Published here for the first time is a complete transcript of a satirical account of the Beagle’s brief visit in 1836 to the Cocos Keeling islands…
Matches: 7 hits
- … of a satirical account of the Beagle ’s brief visit in 1836 to the Cocos Keeling islands, the …
- … century, the circumnavigation of HMS Beagle in 1831 to 1836. Our other substantial accounts of …
- … the end of that Beagle voyage, over twelve days in April 1836 before the Beagle headed home via …
- … Beagle , titled Proceedings of the Second Expedition 1831-1836 . It was accompanied by an …
- … before replacing Beechey as commander of HMS Sulphur in 1836. In Sulphur , he spent nearly …
- … Leisk was present when the Beagle visited the islands in 1836, and FitzRoy baptized the Leisk …
- … from a British ship that stopped at Cocos- Keeling in early 1836 en route from China to London; …
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: 1 hits
- … letter from Emma Wedgwood to F. E. E. Wedgwood, [28 October 1836] , letter from Emma Wedgwood and …
Bibliography of Darwin’s geological publications
Summary
This list includes papers read by Darwin to the Geological Society of London, his books on the geology of the Beagle voyage, and other publications on geological topics. Author-date citations refer to entries in the Darwin Correspondence Project’s…
Matches: 3 hits
- … the command of Capt. FitzRoy RN, during the years 1832 to 1836 . By Charles Darwin. London: Smith, …
- … the command of Capt. FitzRoy RN, during the years 1832 to 1836. By Charles Darwin. London: Smith, …
- … the command of Capt. FitzRoy RN, during the years 1832 to 1836. By Charles Darwin. London: Smith, …
Books on the Beagle
Summary
The Beagle was a sort of floating library. Find out what Darwin and his shipmates read here.
Matches: 8 hits
- … , p. 196). In another field notebook, at Cape Town in May 1836, he lists, probably with the …
- … some of his idiosyncratic spelling during the summer of 1836 (Sulloway 1982b, pp. 331–2, n. 13). …
- … letter to the South African Christian Recorder, 28 June 1836, Collected papers 1: 20). ‡ …
- … ‘Charles Darwin Esq from the Author Dunheved Jan 26 1836’). ‘Philosophical tracts’, Darwin Library …
- … letter to the South African Christian Recorder , 28 June 1836, Collected papers 1: 20). …
- … letter to the South African Christian Recorder , 28 June 1836, Collected papers 1: 28). …
- … letter to the South African Christian Recorder , 28 June 1836, Collected papers 1: 26). …
- … letter to the South African Christian Recorder , 28 June 1836, Collected papers 1: 22–3). …
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…
Charles Thomas Whitley
Summary
Born in Liverpool in 1808, Charles Thomas Whitley, like Darwin, attended Shrewsbury School and then Cambridge University where they were clearly very close, exchanging letters during the summer holidays. Whitley was a mathematician, a subject that held…
4.2 Augustus Earle, caricature drawing
Summary
< Back to Introduction The paucity of evidence for Darwin’s appearance and general demeanour during the years of the Beagle voyage gives this humorous drawing of shipboard life a special interest. It is convincingly attributed to Augustus Earle, an…
Matches: 1 hits
- … the Royal Academy in 1837, and therefore probably painted in 1836), also represents the Beagle …
George James Stebbing
Summary
George James Stebbing (1803—1860) travelled around the world with Charles Darwin on board HMS Beagle and helped him with measuring temperature on at least one occasion. However, Stebbing barely registers in Darwin’s correspondence. The only mention omits…
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
- … Letter 297 — Darwin, S. E. to Darwin, C. R., 12 Feb 1836 Darwin’s sister Sarah E. Darwin …
The Beagle voyage ends
Summary
The Beagle anchors in Falmouth
Matches: 1 hits
- … The Beagle anchors in Falmouth …
Natural selection
Summary
How do new species arise? This was the ancient question that Charles Darwin tackled soon after returning to England from the Beagle voyage in October 1836. Darwin realised a crucial (and cruel) fact: far more individuals of each species were born than…
Matches: 1 hits
- … returning to England from the Beagle voyage in October 1836. Some naturalists, such as Jean …
