To E. Schweizerbart’sche Verlagsbuchhandlung 27 March [1867]
Summary
Does not care which photograph is engraved. Hopes to get specimens of Eozoon canadense for J. V. Carus.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | E. Schweizerbart’sche Verlagsbuchhandlung |
Date: | 27 Mar [1867] |
Classmark: | Jeremy Norman (dealer) (catalogue 69, item 14) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5461F |
From Henry James Slack 30 November 1867
Summary
Writes, as editor of the Intellectual Observer, saying how much he would like to be able to publish papers by CD.
Author: | Henry James Slack |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 30 Nov 1867 |
Classmark: | DAR 177: 180 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5700 |
From Edward Blyth 19 February 1867
Summary
Encloses memorandum on Origin [1866]
discussing mimicry in mammals and birds,
abnormal habits shown by birds,
behaviour of cuckoos,
and analogies existing between mammals of the same geographical region.
Speculates on possible lines of development linking groups of mammals.
[CD’s notes on the verso of the letter are for his reply.]
Author: | Edward Blyth |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 19 Feb 1867 |
Classmark: | DAR 160: 209, 209/1 & 2, DAR 47: 190, 190a, DAR 80: B99–99a, DAR 205.11: 138, DAR 48: A75 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5405 |
To J. V. Carus 11 April [1867]
Summary
CD is delighted that JVC will undertake translation of Variation.
Agrees with JVC’s opinion of Haeckel’s book [Generelle Morphologie (1866)]. CD believes it is bad policy for Haeckel to speak so positively about a disputed theory [i.e., CD’s] and particularly regrets the severity of EH’s criticisms of other authors.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Julius Victor Carus |
Date: | 11 Apr [1867] |
Classmark: | Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin – Preußischer Kulturbesitz (Slg. Darmstaedter Lc 1859: Darwin, Charles, Bl. 8–9) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5498 |
From Karl von Scherzer 21 November 1867
Summary
Sends copy of book containing measurements taken of individuals of different races during voyage of Novara [Karl Heinrich von Scherzer, ed., Reise der Fregatte "Novara", Anthropologischer Theil (1867)].
Asks for scientific advice concerning newly planned expedition.
Says Carl Vogt plans to use data from book in lectures.
Author: | Karl von Scherzer |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 21 Nov 1867 |
Classmark: | DAR 177: 49 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5691 |
To Carl Vogt 12 April [1867]
Summary
Would be great honour to have CV translate Variation, but Schweizerbart has arranged for J. V. Carus to do it.
Has read CV’s Lectures on man [1864] with extreme interest.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Carl Vogt |
Date: | 12 Apr [1867] |
Classmark: | Bibliothèque de Genève (Ms fr. 2188, ff. 300–1) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5499 |
To Charles Lyell 9 June [1867]
Summary
Discusses hybridisation in cowslip and primrose.
Mentions proposed visit.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Charles Lyell, 1st baronet |
Date: | 9 June [1867] |
Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.329) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5566 |
From Fritz Müller 2 June 1867
Summary
Discusses dimorphism in plants, especially the Rubiaceae.
Gives observations on orchids; notes varying degrees of self-sterility and a varying success at crossing distinct species.
Mentions local ferns he is collecting
and considers the phenomenon of apparently mimetic plants.
Author: | Johann Friedrich Theodor (Fritz) Müller |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 2 June 1867 |
Classmark: | DAR 110: B113–14 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5559 |
To J. V. Carus 16 September 1867
Summary
Thanks JVC for his biography [of CD].
Has almost finished first proofs of Variation.
Has difficulty in answering JVC’s queries about dogs because of differences in German names and breeds. Refers him to A. E. Brehm’s Illustrirtes Thierleben [1868] and, on pigeons, to Gottlob Neumeister’s book [Das Ganze der Taubenzucht (1837)].
Hopes JVC is not discouraged by first volume. Thinks second will be more interesting.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Julius Victor Carus |
Date: | 16 Sept 1867 |
Classmark: | Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin – Preußischer Kulturbesitz (Slg. Darmstaedter Lc 1859: Darwin, Charles, Bl. 10–13) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5628 |
From W. B. Tegetmeier 29 March 1867
Summary
Answers CD’s queries about polygamous birds. Does not think appearance of cock makes any difference to female. Dyeing the male has no effect on female.
Author: | William Bernhard Tegetmeier |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 29 Mar 1867 |
Classmark: | DAR 84.1: 30–1 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5473 |
To William Turner 15 January [1867]
Summary
Requests information about rudimentary muscles and organs in man. Asks about marrow of os coccyx, and about testes and ovaria in early embryos of both sexes.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | William Turner |
Date: | 15 Jan [1867] |
Classmark: | The University of Edinburgh Centre for Research Collections (Dc.2.96/5 folio 2) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5362 |
From Ernst Haeckel 28 June 1867
Summary
Is engaged to marry Agnes Huschke. Will make wedding trip to Switzerland and Italy in autumn; therefore cannot visit CD as hoped.
Discusses present research. Comments on Protoamoeba with respect to origin of life. Says it makes question of common or separate origin of phyla unimportant.
CD to receive honorary diploma from Imperial Zoological Botanical Society in Vienna.
Sends photograph of Viennese botanist, August Kanitz.
Author: | Ernst Philipp August (Ernst) Haeckel |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 28 June 1867 |
Classmark: | DAR 166: 45 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5576 |
From H. W. Bates 29 March 1867
Summary
Working on sexual differences in collection of horned beetles and will send CD results.
Answers CD’s questions [sent on behalf of Miss Tollet of Betley Hall, Staffs.] on mimicry – how it helps prevent extinction, the modifications occurring with a change of habitat until mimicry occurred.
Also gives some cases of sexual differences.
Author: | Henry Walter Bates |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 29 Mar 1867 |
Classmark: | DAR 205.10: 95 (Letters) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5474 |
To W. A. Knight 22 August [1867]
Summary
Will not attend the British Association meeting at Dundee.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | William Angus Knight |
Date: | 22 Aug [1867] |
Classmark: | The Morgan Library and Museum, New York (Knight Collection MA 8601) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5614F |
From John Murray 23 September [1867]
Summary
Schweizerbart anxious to get Variation sheets for German translation. Hopes he has found a good indexer in W. S. Dallas.
Author: | John Murray |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 23 Sept [1867] |
Classmark: | DAR 171: 351 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5633 |
From J. D. Hooker [12 January 1867]
Author: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | [12 Jan 1867] |
Classmark: | DAR 102: 131–4 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5358 |
From Nicholas Trübner 7 May 1867
Summary
Weisse of Stuttgart is keen to publish a translation of the book on which CD is working [Variation].
Author: | Johann Nicolaus (Nicholas) Trübner |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 7 May 1867 |
Classmark: | DAR 178: 194 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5530 |
From Hermann Müller 23 March 1867
Summary
The Origin converted him from a Linnean interpretation of flowers and mosses.
Glad that CD appreciates his continuing work on mosses, in support of natural selection.
Plans to repeat CD’s orchid experiments.
Sends interpretation of the floral anatomy of Lopezia miniata.
Author: | Heinrich Ludwig Hermann (Hermann) Müller |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 23 Mar 1867 |
Classmark: | DAR 171: 290, 290/1 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5457 |
To Fritz Müller 15 August [1867]
Summary
Queries about expressions in crying monkeys.
Has received letter from Hermann Müller on orchid fertilisation.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Johann Friedrich Theodor (Fritz) Müller |
Date: | 15 Aug [1867] |
Classmark: | The British Library (Loan MS 10 no 18) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5605 |
To J. D. Hooker 8 February [1867]
Summary
On the Duke of Argyll and a review of his Reign of law.
Asa Gray’s theological view of variation. God’s role in formation of organisms; JDH’s view of Providence.
Insular and continental genera.
Owen on continuity and ideal types
and on bones of Mauritius deer.
On man.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
Date: | 8 Feb [1867] |
Classmark: | DAR 94: 10–13 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5395 |
letter | (103) |
Darwin, C. R. | (48) |
Hooker, J. D. | (8) |
Carus, J. V. | (4) |
Blyth, Edward | (3) |
Haeckel, Ernst | (2) |
Darwin, C. R. | (55) |
Carus, J. V. | (6) |
Hooker, J. D. | (5) |
Müller, Fritz | (4) |
E. Schweizerbart’sche Verlagsbuchhandlung | (3) |
Darwin, C. R. | (103) |
Hooker, J. D. | (13) |
Carus, J. V. | (10) |
Müller, Fritz | (6) |
Blyth, Edward | (4) |
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 …
Origin: the lost changes for the second German edition
Summary
Darwin sent a list of changes made uniquely to the second German edition of Origin to its translator, Heinrich Georg Bronn. That lost list is recreated here.
Matches: 1 hits
- … In March 1862, Heinrich Georg Bronn wrote to Darwin stating his intention to prepare a second …
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 …
Darwin in letters, 1862: A multiplicity of experiments
Summary
1862 was a particularly productive year for Darwin. This was not only the case in his published output (two botanical papers and a book on the pollination mechanisms of orchids), but more particularly in the extent and breadth of the botanical experiments…
Matches: 1 hits
- … As the sheer volume of his correspondence indicates, 1862 was a particularly productive year for …
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 …
Darwin's 1874 letters go online
Summary
The full transcripts and footnotes of over 600 letters to and from Charles Darwin in 1874 are published online for the first time. You can read about Darwin's life in 1874 through his letters and see a full list of the letters. The 1874 letters…
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- … The full transcripts and footnotes of over 600 letters to and from Charles Darwin in 1874 …
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’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 …
Race, Civilization, and Progress
Summary
Darwin's first reflections on human progress were prompted by his experiences in the slave-owning colony of Brazil, and by his encounters with the Yahgan peoples of Tierra del Fuego. Harsh conditions, privation, poor climate, bondage and servitude,…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Letters | Selected Readings Darwin's first reflections on human progress were …
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…
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- … Observers | Fieldwork | Experimentation | Editors and critics | Assistants …
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 …
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: 1 hits
- … no little discovery of mine ever gave me so much pleasure as the making out the …
Darwin in letters, 1864: Failing health
Summary
On receiving a photograph from Charles Darwin, the American botanist Asa Gray wrote on 11 July 1864: ‘the venerable beard gives the look of your having suffered, and … of having grown older’. Because of poor health, Because of poor health, Darwin…
Matches: 1 hits
- … On receiving a photograph from Charles Darwin, the American botanist Asa Gray wrote on 11 July …
Charles Harrison Blackley
Summary
You may not have heard of Charles Harrison Blackley (1820–1900), but if you are one of the 15 million people in the UK who suffer from hay fever, you are indebted to him. For it was he who identified pollen as the cause of the allergy. Darwin was…
Matches: 1 hits
- … You may not have heard of Charles Harrison Blackley (1820–1900), but if you are one of the 15 …
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 …
Dramatisation script
Summary
Re: Design – Adaptation of the Correspondence of Charles Darwin, Asa Gray and others… by Craig Baxter – as performed 25 March 2007
Matches: 1 hits
- … Re: Design – performance version – 25 March 2007 – 1 Re: Design – Adaptation of 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: 1 hits
- … I think we have proved that the sleep of plants is to lessen injury to leaves from radiation …
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 on race and gender
Summary
Darwin’s views on race and gender are intertwined, and mingled also with those of class. In Descent of man, he tried to explain the origin of human races, and many of the differences between the sexes, with a single theory: sexual selection. Sexual…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Darwin’s views on race and gender are intertwined, and mingled also with those of class. In …
Darwin's bad days
Summary
Despite being a prolific worker who had many successes with his scientific theorising and experimenting, even Darwin had some bad days. These times when nothing appeared to be going right are well illustrated by the following quotations from his letters:
Matches: 1 hits
- … Despite being a prolific worker who had many successes with his scientific theorising and …