To A. A. Gould 6 April [1858]
Summary
Thanks AAG for procuring an authoritative answer from T. M. Brewer on the habits of the [American] cuckoo. Surprised William Yarrell erred so much.
Wishes AAG had time to give an account of Japanese shells, which would be interesting from the geographical point of view.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Augustus Addison Gould |
| Date: | 6 Apr [1858] |
| Classmark: | Lehigh University Libraries Special Collections (Honeyman Collection) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2448 |
From J. D. Hooker [20 November 1858]
Summary
At work on the introductory essay to Flora Tasmaniae.
Discusses the effects of climate and geography on "vegetable strife".
| Author: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [20 Nov 1858] |
| Classmark: | DAR 50: E1–2 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2367 |
To Trenham Reeks? 13 August [1858]
Summary
Has been asked to set a price on slate relief slabs [see 2236]. Would appreciate advice from correspondent as he would like to buy pictures with the money.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Trenham Reeks |
| Date: | 13 Aug [1858] |
| Classmark: | British Geological Survey Archives (GSM 1/501) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2323 |
From G. R. Waterhouse 13 February 1858
Summary
GRW’s observations of and ideas on bees’ and wasps’ cells.
| Author: | George Robert Waterhouse |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 13 Feb 1858 |
| Classmark: | DAR 181: 23 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2216 |
To J. D. Hooker 14 November [1858]
Summary
Hermaphrodite trees are enough to "knock" CD down. Can JDH observe Eucalyptus to see whether pollen and stigma mature at same time?
JDH’s facts showing European plants are more common in southern Australia than in South America are disturbing because they are improbable on CD’s views of migration.
JDH said he would give examples of Australian forms that have migrated north along the mountains of the Malay Archipelago.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
| Date: | 14 Nov [1858] |
| Classmark: | DAR 114: 254 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2361 |
To John Lubbock 30 [March? 1858]
Summary
Comments and criticisms on JL’s paper [possibly: "On the development of Chloëon dimidiatum", Trans. Linn. Soc. Lond. 24 (1863): 61–78].
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Lubbock, 4th baronet and 1st Baron Avebury |
| Date: | 30 [Mar? 1858] |
| Classmark: | DAR 263: 23 (EH 88206472) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2397 |
From J. D. Hooker and Charles Lyell to the Linnean Society 30 June 1858
Summary
Communicate papers by CD and A. R. Wallace on "The Laws which affect the Production of Varieties, Races, and Species". Explain that CD and Wallace have, independently and unknown to each other, arrived at the same theory to account for the appearance and perpetuation of specific forms, and that neither has yet published, although CD first sketched his theory in 1839. Give their reasons for arranging the joint presentation.
| Author: | Joseph Dalton Hooker; Charles Lyell, 1st baronet |
| Addressee: | Linnean Society |
| Date: | 30 June 1858 |
| Classmark: | Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society (Zoology) 3 (1859): 45–6 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2299 |
From J. D. Hooker 13–15 July 1858
Summary
Sends proofs [of "On the tendency of species to form varieties … ", read 1 July 1858, Collected papers 2: 3–19]. CD could publish his abstract [later the Origin] as a separate supplemental number of [Journal of the Linnean Society].
JDH has studied in detail CD’s manuscript on variable species in large and small genera and concurs with its consequences. Discusses methodological idiosyncrasies of systematists, e.g., Bentham, Robert Brown, and C. C. Babington, which complicate CD’s tabulations.
| Author: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [13 or 15] July 1858 |
| Classmark: | DAR 100: 116–19, 168 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2307 |
From J. D. Hooker 12 November 1858
Summary
Busy with introductory essay to [The botany of the Antarctic voyage, pt III] Flora Tasmaniae [printed separately as On the flora of Australia (1859)].
Now explains greater abundance of European species in Tasmania than in Fuegia by CD’s "refrigeration" hypothesis.
| Author: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 12 Nov 1858 |
| Classmark: | DAR 100: 123–4 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2358 |
To W. H. Miller [15 April 1858]
Summary
A set of questions CD prepared for his meeting with WHM to discuss the geometry of bees’ cells.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Hallowes Miller |
| Date: | [15 Apr 1858] |
| Classmark: | DAR 181: 24a |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2255A |
From J. D. Hooker 18 March 1858
Summary
Continued objections to methods and conclusions of CD’s survey.
| Author: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 18 Mar 1858 |
| Classmark: | DAR 100: 115e–f |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2243 |
To Asa Gray 4 April [1858]
Summary
Discusses the variation of species in large and small genera.
Thanks AG for his list of close species.
Laments the slow progress he makes with his book [Natural selection].
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Asa Gray |
| Date: | 4 Apr [1858] |
| Classmark: | Archives of the Gray Herbarium, Harvard University (25) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2252 |
Matches: 2 hits
- … sent to Joseph Dalton Hooker (see letter to J. D. Hooker, 10 April [1858] ), has not been …
- … 10, on the ‘Mental powers and the instincts of animals’ ( Natural selection , pp. 466–527), on 9 March 1858 (‘Journal’; Appendix II). The first volume of Agassiz 1857–62 was presented to CD by Louis Agassiz (see letter …
To J. D. Hooker 8 [June 1858]
Summary
Pleased with JDH’s reaction to MS on large and small genera.
Confident of soundness of principle of divergence.
CD experimenting on pollination mechanism of Leguminosae. Asks JDH to investigate Fumariaceae.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
| Date: | 8 [June 1858] |
| Classmark: | DAR 114: 237 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2282 |
From J. D. Hooker [14 March 1858]
Summary
Summary of JDH’s objections to CD’s survey of floras and conclusion that large genera vary more than small.
| Author: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [14 Mar 1858] |
| Classmark: | DAR 104: 182–5 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2240 |
To J. D. Hooker 11 March [1858]
Summary
JDH’s "objection" that small local genera do not vary and mundane ones do, is exactly CD’s point. Local floras useful to test idea that varieties are incipient species. Same genus in different countries cannot be lumped.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
| Date: | 11 Mar [1858] |
| Classmark: | DAR 114: 228 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2239 |
To Charles Lyell 26 April [1858]
Summary
Comments on letter from Georg Hartung to CL dealing with erratic boulders.
Discusses migration of plants and animals.
A letter from Thomas Thomson on heat endured by temperate plants.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Charles Lyell, 1st baronet |
| Date: | 26 Apr [1858] |
| Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.151) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2262 |
To J. D. Hooker 13 [July 1858]
Summary
JDH’s letter to Wallace perfect. CD’s feelings about priority. Without Lyell’s and JDH’s intervention CD would have given up all claims to Wallace. Now planning 30-page abstract for a journal.
Observations on floral structure
and slave-making ants.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
| Date: | 13 [July 1858] |
| Classmark: | DAR 114: 242 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2306 |
To John Lubbock [August–September 1858]
Summary
Variations in the structure of Pelargonium flowers.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Lubbock, 4th baronet and 1st Baron Avebury |
| Date: | [Aug–Sept 1858] |
| Classmark: | DAR 263: 24 (EH 88206473) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2390 |
To J. D. Hooker 6 May [1858]
Summary
Sends MS on large and small genera.
Observed slave-making ants at Moor Park.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
| Date: | 6 May [1858] |
| Classmark: | DAR 114: 234 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2269 |
To Richard Kippist 10 March [1858]
Summary
In great want of two books, which he had borrowed previously: Boreau Flora du Centre de la France and A. E. Fürnrohr, Naturhistorische Topographie von Regensburg, Bd 2 Flora Ratisbonensis.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Richard Kippist |
| Date: | 10 Mar [1858] |
| Classmark: | James Cummins, Bookseller (dealer) (15 November 2012) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2238 |
| letter | (44) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (30) |
| Hooker, J. D. | (6) |
| Waterhouse, G. R. | (2) |
| Brewer, T. M. | (1) |
| Fox, W. D. | (1) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (11) |
| Hooker, J. D. | (10) |
| Darwin, W. E. | (5) |
| Fox, W. D. | (2) |
| Gould, A. A. | (2) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (41) |
| Hooker, J. D. | (16) |
| Darwin, W. E. | (5) |
| Fox, W. D. | (3) |
| Lyell, Charles | (3) |
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 …
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: 1 hits
- … In 1865, the chief work on Charles Darwin’s mind was the writing of The variation of animals and …
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: 1 hits
- … At the start of 1863, Charles Darwin was actively working on the manuscript of The variation of …
The Lyell–Lubbock dispute
Summary
In May 1865 a dispute arose between John Lubbock and Charles Lyell when Lubbock, in his book Prehistoric times, accused Lyell of plagiarism. The dispute caused great dismay among many of their mutual scientific friends, some of whom took immediate action…
Matches: 1 hits
- … In May 1865 a dispute arose between John Lubbock and Charles Lyell when Lubbock, in his book …
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 …
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 …
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: 1 hits
- … In May 1881, Darwin, one of the best-known celebrities in England if not the world, began …
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 …
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: 1 hits
- … I cannot bear to think of the future The year 1876 started out sedately enough with …
Schools Gallery: Using Darwin’s letters in the classroom
Summary
English| History| Science English Pupils in Cumbria lead the way Year 9 English pupils at Ulverston Victoria High School spent several weeks studying Darwin’s letters, including comparing sections from Darwin’s ‘Voyage of the Beagle’ to letters…
Matches: 1 hits
- … English | History | Science English Pupils in Cumbria lead …
Darwin in letters,1866: Survival of the fittest
Summary
The year 1866 began well for Charles Darwin, as his health, after several years of illness, was now considerably improved. In February, Darwin received a request from his publisher, John Murray, for a new edition of Origin. Darwin got the fourth…
Matches: 1 hits
- … The year 1866 began well for Charles Darwin, as his health, after several years of illness, was …
Darwin's notes for his physician, 1865
Summary
On 20 May 1865, Emma Darwin recorded in her diary that John Chapman, a prominent London publisher who had studied medicine in London and Paris in the early 1840s, visited Down to consult with Darwin about his ill health. In 1863 Chapman started to treat…
Matches: 1 hits
- … On 20 May 1865, Emma Darwin recorded in her diary that John Chapman, a prominent London publisher …
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: 1 hits
- … There are summaries of all Darwin's letters from the year 1879 on this website. The full texts of …
Henrietta Darwin's diary
Summary
Darwin's daughter Henrietta kept a diary for a few momentous weeks in 1871. This was the year in which Descent of Man, the most controversial of her father's books after Origin itself, appeared, a book which she had helped him write. The small…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Charles Darwin’s daughter Henrietta wrote the following journal entries in March and July 1871 in …
Darwin in letters, 1860: Answering critics
Summary
On 7 January 1860, John Murray published the second edition of Darwin’s Origin of species, printing off another 3000 copies to satisfy the demands of an audience that surprised both the publisher and the author. It wasn't long, however, before ‘the…
Matches: 1 hits
- … On 7 January 1860, John Murray published the second edition of Darwin’s Origin of species , …
Was Darwin an ecologist?
Summary
One of the most fascinating aspects of Charles Darwin’s correspondence is the extent to which the experiments he performed at his home in Down, in the English county of Kent, seem to prefigure modern scientific work in ecology.
Matches: 1 hits
- … I gave two seeds to a confounded old cock, but his gizzard ground them up; at least I cd. not …
Darwin in letters, 1856-1857: the 'Big Book'
Summary
In May 1856, Darwin began writing up his 'species sketch’ in earnest. During this period, his working life was completely dominated by the preparation of his 'Big Book', which was to be called Natural selection. Using letters are the main…
Matches: 1 hits
- … On 14 May 1856, Charles Darwin recorded in his journal that he ‘Began by Lyell’s advice writing …
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
- … In 1882, Darwin reached his 74th year Earthworms had been published the previous October, and …
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: 1 hits
- … ‘My career’, Darwin wrote towards the end of 1872, ‘is so nearly closed. . . What little more I …
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: 1 hits
- … The year 1874 was one of consolidation, reflection, and turmoil for Darwin. He spent the early …
