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Darwin and Down

Summary

Charles and Emma Darwin, with their first two children, settled at Down House in the village of Down (later ‘Downe’) in Kent, as a young family in 1842.   The house came with eighteen acres of land, and a fifteen acre meadow.  The village combined the…

Matches: 8 hits

  • think London is only 16 miles off.— To E. C. Darwin,  [24 July 1842] Charles
  • village combined the benefits of rural surroundings, where Darwin could make observations and
  • of access to London, and was the environment within which Darwins work over the last forty years of
  • circular sandwalk, all contributed at one time or another to Darwins researchThe countryside
  • from his letters and papers remain largely as they were in Darwin's lifetime, and comparisons
  • by English Heritage to reflect their state shortly before Darwins death. Selected letters: …
  • On the house and surroundings: To his sister, Catherine Darwin,  [24 July 1842] To
  • for existence: To J. D. Hooker5 June [1855] : Darwin describes the systematic collection

Darwin and Fatherhood

Summary

Charles Darwin married Emma Wedgwood in 1839 and over the next seventeen years the couple had ten children. It is often assumed that Darwin was an exceptional Victorian father. But how extraordinary was he? The Correspondence Project allows an unusually…

Matches: 11 hits

  • Charles Darwin married Emma Wedgwood in 1839 and over the next seventeen years the couple had ten
  • an unusually large number of letters sent by members of the Darwin family to be studied. However, in
  • required them to work long hours away from their family. Darwin was unusual in being able to pursue
  • left their children in the care of servants in the country. Darwin frequently expressed regrets that
  • meetings and social events in the capital. As a result, Darwin rarely spent a day without the
  • … ‘visitsto see their father when he was working (Darwin to his wife Emma,  [7-8 February 1845] ). …
  • childrens development in diaries and letters. However, Darwin was unusual for the systematic
  • was far more typical of mid-nineteenth-century fathers was Darwins intense involvement in his
  • to incessant anxiety & movement on account of Etty.’ (Darwin to W. D. Fox18 October [1860] …
  • who did not have specialist scientific or medical interests. Darwin expressed enduring grief
  • terribly anxious, but fear has almost driven away grief.’ (Darwin to W. D. Fox2 July [1858] ). …

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…

Matches: 22 hits

  • formation of barrier-reefs and atolls. Charles Darwin describing how he arrived at his
  • notes on geological observations that survive from the time Darwin spent on the west coast of South
  • which, though fragmentary and indirect, give evidence that Darwin had the main points of the theory
  • A letter from Robert Edward Alison, who had assisted Darwin in his observations on the elevation of
  • before leaving for the Galapagos early in September, Darwin jotted down some notes about coral
  • medium is ink, which indicates that the notes were made when Darwin was in residence ashore or on
  • which is concerned with subjects of primary interest to Darwin during his time in Chile: crustal
  • these notes on global crustal changes strongly suggests that Darwins theory of coral reef formation
  • at the time: the elevation of the South American continent. Darwin had by that time become a
  • of the elevation of South America. Paradoxically, Darwins adoption of the principle of
  • far too deep for reef-building corals to grow. Darwin was certainly familiar with Lyells
  • 32 coral islands, and the Frenchmen Quoy and GaimardAs Darwin wrote to his sister Catherine, …
  • rapidly growing in Low islands’. From his reading Darwin must also have been aware that his
  • Stoddart 1962,  DAR 41: 22a.] The impact of Darwins first sighting of a coral island
  • to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands of the Indian Ocean. What Darwin saw there strengthened his
  • a monstrous hypothesis.’ While at Cocos (Keeling) Darwin wrote an entry in his diary that
  • …   Shortly after returning to England, Darwin told Lyell of his theory. Lyell was immediately
  • … (Wilson 1972, p. 449). At Lyells urging, Darwin read a paper on his coral theory before the
  • theoryThe Structure and Distribution of Coral Reefs  (1842) was based on intensive reading and
  • of feet.   Selected letters: Darwin tells his sister Susan that has told
  • 1831] . The first evidence of ideas that led to Darwins theory of coral reef formation: A
  • his book on coral reefs: letter to Leonard Jenyns [9 May 1842] .   Suggestions

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: 29 hits

  • In April 1838, Darwin began recording the titles of books he had read and the books he wished
  • used these notebooks extensively in dating and annotating Darwins letters; the full transcript
  • … *128). For clarity, the transcript does not record Darwins alterations. The spelling and
  • book had been consulted. Those cases where it appears that Darwin made a genuine deletion have been
  • a few instances, primarily in theBooks Readsections, Darwin recorded that a work had been
  • of the books listed in the other two notebooks. Sometimes Darwin recorded that an abstract of the
  • own. Soon after beginning his first reading notebook, Darwin began to separate the scientific
  • the second reading notebook. Readers primarily interested in Darwins scientific reading, therefore, …
  • editorsidentification of the book or article to which Darwin refers. A full list of these works is
  • page number (or numbers, as the case may be) on which Darwins entry is to be found. The
  • Illustrations of the Domestic animals of Gt. Britain [D. Low 1842].— 23  must be read carefully. …
  • Erasmus—— Lavater. Life & Correspondence [?Heisch 1842] Coleridge. Literary
  • Cicero [Middleton 1741] W. Meisters Life [Goethe 1842].— Malcolms History of Persia
  • … [DAR *119: 15] Zanoni by Bulwer [Bulwer-Lytton 1842]. Life of D. of Marlborough [A. …
  • organs read A. Alison on Population. 2 vols. Feb. 1842 [A. Alison 1840].— Youatt in
  • 1836]: worth looking at. Low has probably told all [D. Low 1842] Madras Journal [ Madras
  • Soc. appears to be good Papers on Sewalik Fossils in 1842 [Cautley 1840 and Cautley and Falconer
  • ReadBronns Geschicte der Natur.” [Bronn 18423] Kingdons translat
  • Jussieus introduct to Bot. price 6 s  [Jussieu 1842] [DAR *119: 20v.] …
  • Cerealia [Loiseleur Deslongchamps 18423] Phytologist [ …
  • Fellows Lycia (1 st  Travels) [Fellows 1839] Catherine 48 Life of Collins R.A. [Collins
  • … (List from Muller & Bronn [Müller 183742 and Bronn 18423] in this Book) 52 Royle
  • … . Smollets William & Mary. & Anne [Smollett 1805].— 1842 Jan 10 M rs
  • … —— 17 th  Laing notes of a Traveller 1 vol [Laing 1842] —— Finished Wordsworth 6 vols. …
  • to Khiva  (James Abbott 1843). 48  Emily Catherine Darwin. 49  Almost
  • list of the books read by CD (DAR 120), which was begun by Catherine Darwin and continued by CD. …
  • … . 2 vols. London. [Other eds.]  119: 8a Gore, Catherine Grace Frances. 1838The rose
  • … . 2 vols. London. [Other eds.]  119: 22b [Marsh, Catherine M.]. 1858English hearts and
  • …   Franklin . London119: 23b [Spence, Catherine Ellen]. 1856Tender and true. A   …

About Darwin

Summary

To many of us, Darwin’s name is synonymous with his theory of evolution by natural selection.  But even before the publication of On the Origin of Species in 1859, he was publicly known through his popular book about the voyage of the Beagle, and he was…

Matches: 17 hits

  • To many of us, Darwins name is synonymous with his theory of evolution by natural
  • of his careerOrigin  was the point of departure for Darwins important works on variation, …
  • of religion. Born on 12 February 1809, Charles Darwin was the son of two noteworthy families. …
  • renowned physician, poet, and natural philosopher Erasmus DarwinCharles grew up in Shrewsbury
  • an older brotherErasmus Alvey Darwin, and a younger sisterCatherineTheir mother died in 1817, …
  • cousin Emma Wedgwood in 1839 and they had ten childrenDarwin spent most of his life working from
  • by serving as research subjects themselves).  The depth of Darwins affection for his children is
  • the Cambridge professor of botanyJohn Stevens Henslow, Darwin was offered the chance to travel
  • to this five-year journey, which began when he was just 22, Darwin wrote, 'The voyage of the
  • my whole career.&#039While circumnavigating the globe, Darwin remained in constant contact with
  • life at seaBy the time he returned to England in 1836, Darwin had unearthed enormous mammalian
  • and plants that fuelled much of his later work. Darwins achievements during the voyage
  • heroes, the geologist Charles LyellThe six years Darwin lived in London were among the most
  • and privately developed a theory of evolutionIn 1842, Charles and Emma moved just south of London
  • urged him to publish his views on evolution in 1858, when Darwin learned by letter that Alfred
  • specimens in the Malay Archipelago.  At home in Downe, Darwin spent the last two decades of his life
  • of the most renowned names in Victorian BritainDarwin died in April 1882; he was buried in

About Darwin

Summary

To many of us, Darwin’s name is synonymous with his theory of evolution by natural selection.  But even before the publication of On the Origin of Species in 1859, he was publicly known through his popular book about the voyage of the Beagle, and he was…

Matches: 17 hits

  • To many of us, Darwins name is synonymous with his theory of evolution by natural
  • of his career, the Origin was the point of departure for Darwins important works on variation, …
  • of religion. Born on 12 February 1809, Charles Darwin was the son of two noteworthy families. …
  • renowned physician, poet, and natural philosopher Erasmus DarwinCharles grew up in Shrewsbury
  • an older brotherErasmus Alvey Darwin, and a younger sisterCatherineTheir mother died in 1817, …
  • cousin Emma Wedgwood in 1839 and they had ten childrenDarwin spent most of his life working from
  • by serving as research subjects themselves).  The depth of Darwins affection for his children is
  • the Cambridge professor of botanyJohn Stevens Henslow, Darwin was offered the chance to travel
  • to this five-year journey, which began when he was just 22, Darwin wrote, “The voyage of the Beagle
  • my whole career.”  While circumnavigating the globe, Darwin remained in constant contact with
  • life at seaBy the time he returned to England in 1836, Darwin had unearthed enormous mammalian
  • and plants that fuelled much of his later work. Darwins achievements during the voyage
  • heroes, the geologist Charles LyellThe six years Darwin lived in London were among the most
  • and privately developed a theory of evolutionIn 1842, Charles and Emma moved just south of London
  • urged him to publish his views on evolution in 1858, when Darwin learned by letter that Alfred
  • specimens in the Malay Archipelago.  At home in Downe, Darwin spent the last two decades of his life
  • him one of the most renowned names in Victorian BritainDarwin died in April 1882; he was buried

Darwin’s observations on his children

Summary

Charles Darwin’s observations on the development of his children, began the research that culminated in his book The Expression of the emotions in man and animals, published in 1872, and his article ‘A biographical sketch of an infant’, published in Mind…

Matches: 28 hits

  • Charles Darwins observations on the development of his children,[1began the
  • is available below . As with much of his other work, Darwin gathered additional information on the
  • lunatics, the blind, and animals. And as early as 1839 Darwin had begun to collect information on
  • the expression of emotions. As the following transcript of Darwins notes reveals, he closely
  • William Erasmus, the stages of his development suggesting to Darwin those expressions which are
  • The tone of the manuscript reflects an aspect of Darwins character clearly perceived by Emma during
  • … “What does that prove”.’[6For in these notes, Darwins deep scientific curiosity transcends his
  • that on occasion he refers to William asit’. Darwin possessed the ability to dissociate
  • memories.[8Yet, though the dissociation was essential for Darwins scientific goal, the notes here
  • the record breaks off until January 1852, by which time the Darwin family had increased by five: …
  • the onset of frowning, smiling, etc., as was the focus of Darwins attention on William and Anne, …
  • his mouth to do so.—[35] 25v.  Feb. 20 th . 1842. Anny (, same age) has learned to shake
  • 28v. [39Anny was to day March 1 st  1842 rather amused, at a wafer sticking first to one hand
  • case of my watch.— 29v.  March 1 st  1842Anny says Papa pretty clearly—[40A few days
  • pretty & Papa for a week past perfectly clear Feb 1842 I have long observed that the
  • for their feelings31 [42In Jan ry . 1842 it was first perceived that Willy began to
  • … “bub my crumps” & 31v.  March 29 th . 1842.— I have some months remarked how much
  • gabble nonsense words,— 33  March 20: th .— 1842 Doddy is a great adept at throwing
  • the eyes & is a full face.— 36  March 26 th  1842 2 years & 3 mthDoddy was
  • not thebeast in house”.— 37v. [50May 1. 1842. 14 months old It is curious to see how
  • down the corners of his mouth[51] June 1 st . 1842 Observed the first day I put on a new
  • stuck to it, “no Doddy did not”. Aug 26 th .. 1842 About a fortnight ago, I met Willy
  • at the end of the section. [20CDs sister, Emily Catherine Darwin, who stayed with CD and
  • there is something wrong with CDs reckoning since Catherine arrived at Gower Street the day after
  • Emma Darwin. It was probably dictated by CD and written by Catherine Darwin during her stay at Upper
  • at Upper Gower Street between 12 February and 16 March 1842. [43Stammering ran in the
  • … [51Emma Darwin and the children went to Maer on 3 May 1842; CD joined them on 18 May (Emma Darwin
  • of bees in pollination, made in the summers between 1840 and 1842, are in DAR 46.2 and DAR 205.5: 53

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: 23 hits

  • The Journal of researches , Darwins account of his travels round the world in H.M.S. Beagle , …
  • The circumstances of its publication were not shaped by Darwin, however, but by the Beagles
  • of the globe , with the title Journal and remarks . Darwins volume was soon issued separately
  • of the Beagle , although this title was never used in Darwins lifetime. Conception
  • form the basis of his publicationAfter Henry Holland, Darwins second cousin, pointed out there
  • confessed, ‘ but I found no part of yours tedious ’. Darwins sister Catherine also reported that
  • to criticize ’. By the end of 1836, the matter of whether Darwins journal would form a separate
  • the narrative be divided into three volumes with one for Darwin alone, and theprofits if
  • cut out too much for fear it would becomedryer ’. Darwins revisions did not involve only
  • the hodge-podge complete .’ Shortly after this, Darwin outlined the same plan to his
  • information from others. ‘I have been going steadily,’ Darwin told Henslow, ‘and have already made a
  • will much add to the value of the whole .’ By July 1837, Darwin had finished the draft of his book
  • work, cramming up learning to ornament my journal with ’. Darwins methods for acquiring
  • of activity had been spurred by assurances in May 1837 that Darwins volume wouldbegin to print in
  • … ‘ not be published till November 1 st . ’ By 18 May, Darwin was workingvery steadily’, but
  • at the workhis progress was slow ’. Nonetheless, Darwin kept to the schedule, even though the
  • Since books were sent to the printer in sections, Darwin still had a few days to complete later
  • with the thistles, which will go a few days afterwards ’. Darwin also warned Henslow that he hoped
  • was something he wasbound to doas he had sent Darwin out on the voyage. If Darwin found
  • late August, as the proof sheets began totumble in’, Darwins view was confirmed and he foresaw
  • America provided by the naturalist John Richardson, but Darwin did notsucceed in burying the
  • all work & go and live in the country, for a few weeks ’, Darwin moaned to Henslow, who had
  • a mouthful of flattery ’. Later editions By 1842, the number of copies of Journal

Darwin in letters, 1847-1850: Microscopes and barnacles

Summary

Darwin's study of barnacles, begun in 1844, took him eight years to complete. The correspondence reveals how his interest in a species found during the Beagle voyage developed into an investigation of the comparative anatomy of other cirripedes and…

Matches: 25 hits

  • Species theory In November 1845, Charles Darwin wrote to his friend and confidant Joseph
  • and  Fossil Cirripedia  (1851, 1854). What led Darwin to engage in this work when he was
  • group. Light is shed on the close relationship between Darwins systematic descriptive work and the
  • often frustrating taxonomical maze. Throughout these years, Darwin was also struggling with a
  • explained in detail in letters to friends and relatives, Darwin felt sufficiently restored in health
  • Nevertheless, it is evident from his correspondence that Darwins two hours at the microscope did
  • Phillips, and Daniel Sharpe, demonstrating the extent of Darwins continued involvement in
  • and naturalists, most notably James Dwight Dana, Henry Darwin Rogers, and Bernhard Studer, and the
  • In the midst of all this activity, Hooker responds to Darwins particular queries and sends
  • British government in scientific research during the period. Darwin also contributed to these
  • scientific work of naval officers and travellers in general. Darwin was asked by the editor, Sir
  • to J. F. W. Herschel, 4 February [1848] ). Letters between Darwin and Richard Owen, author of the
  • zoology between them. Owen included in his chapter notes by Darwin on the use of microscopes on
  • the leading questions and wide views spelt out by Darwin in the Admiralty  Manual  are also those
  • Inverness, in which he maintained that the terraces, which Darwin believed to be of marine origin, …
  • of Glen Roy had produced a lake and the consequent beaches. Darwin carefully re-examined his own
  • editor of the  Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal , Darwin asked for it to be destroyed. Only the
  • … ). Other letters to colleagues at this time indicate that Darwin was beginning to feel that the Glen
  • 8 [September 1847] ). The second geological theory Darwin felt the need to defend had to do
  • that only a great rush of water could carry them up hills. Darwins response was to explain such
  • rocks and foliation in metamorphic rocks, on the other. Darwin maintained that cleavage was the
  • to convince other prominent geologists, among them Lyell, so Darwin was keenly interested in what
  • subject. The letters also reveal that Lyell sought Darwins advice in the preparation of new
  • therules of nomenclaturethat had been drawn up in 1842 by a British Association committee on
  • and his daughter Susan. His unmarried daughters, Susan and Catherine, were guaranteed the right to