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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: 29 hits

… the result of a decade-long project to provide evidence for Darwin’s belief that ‘‘Nature thus tells …
… on plants with two or three different forms of flowers, Darwin had focused on the anatomical and …
… of different forms of pollen. Although many plants that Darwin observed had flowers with adaptations …
… rates, growth, and constitutional vigour. Although Darwin was no stranger to long months and years …
… … is highly remarkable’ In September 1866, Darwin announced to the American botanist …
… several years ( To Édouard Bornet, 1 December 1866 ). Darwin began a series of experiments, …
… ). It was only after a new season of experiments that Darwin would confirm that this poppy shed its …
… access to flowers was only the tip of the iceberg. Darwin next focused on the California …
… conditions’ ( From Fritz Müller, 1 December 1866 ). Darwin’s interest was piqued and he described …
… when self-fertilised, although fewer than crossed plants. Darwin sent some of these seeds to Müller, …
… [1868] ). Müller, in turn, sent seeds from his plants to Darwin and both men continued to …
… Müller remarked, on receiving a new batch of seeds from Darwin, ‘that it was ‘curious to see, on …
… ( From Fritz Müller, 15 June 1869 ). By May 1870, Darwin reported that he was ‘rearing crossed …
… From a fairly early stage in his experimental programme, Darwin began to pay more attention to the …
… the sweet pea ( Lathyrus odoratus ), and in October 1867, Darwin wrote to James Moggridge to ask …
… of the year ( To J. T. Moggridge, 1 October [1867] ). Darwin was beginning to suspect that the …
… simply did not exist in Britain. During a visit to Darwin in May 1866, Robert Caspary, a …
… by the former ( From Robert Caspary, 18 February 1868 ). Darwin eagerly requested seed from both …
… was published on 30 January 1868. In April 1868, Darwin informed George Bentham, ‘I am …
… to elongate when the pollen touches the stigmatic surface. Darwin was able to discern that …
… plant sexual relations, Müller, who sent the publication to Darwin, reported that he was surprised …
… the fertility of the offspring (F. Müller 1868b, p. 629). Darwin urged further experimentation. ‘I …
… the Abutilon sterile with some individuals is remarkable’, Darwin replied, adding that he had sown …
… of self-fertilisation’ ( To J. D. Hooker, 23 July [1871 ] ). Darwin also informed Müller of this …
… in his hothouse ( To Fritz Müller, 2 August [1871 ] ). By late 1871 , Darwin was already …
… generations’ ( To Federico Delpino, 22 November 1871 ). Delpino replied that he looked forward to …
… and horticulture ( From Federico Delpino, 5 December 1871 ). When Darwin began writing in February …
… I am already plagued by foreign Translators, Reviewers, &c.’ ( To John Murray, 4 May [1873] ). …
… and it has pleased me not a little to find that in the rough M.S. of my last chapter, I have arrived …

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: 26 hits

… The story of Charles Darwin’s involvement with the church is one that is told far too rarely. It …
… unique window into this complicated relationship throughout Darwin’s life, as it reveals his …
… belief (and doubt) than many non-conformist denominations. Darwin’s parents attended a Unitarian …
… the necessary studies to be a clergyman. During Darwin’s lifetime, the vast majority of the …
… income was essential to enjoy a gentlemanly lifestyle. For Darwin, who could rely on the financial …
… compatible with the pursuit of scientific interests. Indeed, Darwin’s Cambridge mentor, John Stevens …
… (Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine (1887): 321). Darwin started on his journey around the world …
… it even through a grove of Palms.—’ (letter to Caroline Darwin, 25–6 April [1832] ). Darwin’s …
… Museum or some other learned place’ (letter from E. A. Darwin, 18 August [1832] ). Writing to Fox …
… about—’ (letter to W. D. Fox, [9–12 August] 1835 ). Darwin’s doubts about orthodox belief, and …
… in 1838 and 1839, as can be read here. In the end, Darwin chose a middle course—a life of ease in …
… within six years of his return from the Beagle voyage, Darwin moved to Down House, in the …
… where their children Mary and Charles were buried; later Darwin’s brother Erasmus, Emma’s sister …
… of Emma, whose religious scruples are discussed here. But Darwin’s correspondence reveals his own …
… Although he was not the principal landowner in Down, Darwin was a gentleman of means, and clearly …
… made inroads on Anglican authority in the countryside. The Darwin family took an interest in, and …
… Many of the letters highlighted in this section focus on Darwin’s long-standing relationship with …
… To the end of his life Innes refused to be persuaded by Darwin’s theory of evolution, but …
… a letter of 1854 in which he said, From all I have seen of M r Innes’ conduct towards the poor …
… [1850] and n. 6; and letter to J. B. Innes, 29 May [1871 ] ). Their true friendship does …
… request favourably—’ (letter from J. B. Innes, 26 May 1871 ). Indeed Innes had such a high …
… school and organ funds (letter to J. B. Innes, 13 January 1871 ). Down’s next clergyman …
… very dull sermons’ (letter to J. B. Innes, 18 January [1871 ] ). Mr Powell was happy to take up …
… Innes informed Darwin that though he ‘heard all good of M r . Ffinden’s moral character, his …
… qualifications’ (letter from J. B. Innes, 5 June 1871 ). Particularly in the early days of …
… an interesting letter from Darwin to the evangelist J. W. C. Fegan. Darwin whole-heartedly supported …

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: 11 hits

… Female readership | Reading Variation Darwin's letters, in particular those …
… a broad variety of women had access to, and engaged with, Darwin's published works. A set of …
… women a target audience? Letter 2447 - Darwin to Murray, J., [5 April 1859] …
… that his views are original and will appeal to the public. Darwin asks Murray to forward the …
… and criticisms of style. Letter 2461 - Darwin to Hooker, J. D., [11 May 1859] …
… typically-male readers. Letter 7124 - Darwin to Darwin, H. E., [8 February 1870] …
… of Herbert Spencer. Letter 7624 - Bathoe, M . B. to Darwin, [25 March 1871] …
… Letter 7644 - Barnard, A. to Darwin, [30 March 1871] J. S. Henslow’s daughter, …
… 7651 - Wedgwood, F. J. to Darwin, H. E., [1 April 1871] Frances Wedgwood offers …
… 7411 - Pfeiffer, E. J. to Darwin, [before 26 April 1871] The poet Emily Pfeiffer …
… Letter 8055 - Hennell, S. S. to Darwin, [7 November 1871] Sarah Hennell writes to Darwin …

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: 27 hits

… | Editors and critics | Assistants Darwin’s correspondence helps bring to light a …
… community. Here is a selection of letters exchanged between Darwin and his workforce of women …
… Women: Letter 1194 - Darwin to Whitby, M. A. T., [12 August 1849] Darwin …
… peculiarities in inheritance. Letter 3787 - Darwin, H. E. to Darwin, [29 October …
… in her garden. Letter 4523 - Wedgwood, L. C. to Darwin, [6 June 1864] …
… officinalis . Letter 5745 - Barber, M. E. to Darwin, [after February 1867] …
… Egypt. Letter 7223 - Darwin to Wedgwood, L. C., [8 June 1867 - 72] Darwin …
… him. Letter 6535 - Vaughan Williams , M. S. to Darwin, H. E., [after 14 October …
… Henrietta. Letter 7179 - Wedgwood, L. C. to Darwin, [5 May 1870] …
… dogs with Emma Darwin. Letter 8676 - Treat, M. to Darwin, [13 December 1872] …
… of her pet cats. Letter 8989 - Treat, M. to Darwin, [28 July 1873] Mary …
… Letter 9426 - Story-Maskelyne , T. M. to Darwin, [23 April 1874] Thereza …
… the wallpaper. Letter 5756 - Langton, E. & C. to Wedgwood S. E., [after 9 …
… Letter 1701 - Morris, M. H. to Prior, R. C. A., [17 June 1855] Margaretta Hare Morris …
… in Llandudno. Letter 4823 - Wedgwood, L. C. to Darwin, H. E., [May 1865] …
… Letter 8144 - Darwin to Wedgwood, L. C., [5 January 1872] Darwin asks his niece, …
… Letter 9606 - Harrison, L. C. to Darwin, [22 August 1874] Darwin’s niece, Lucy, …
… Letter 7433 - Wedgwood, F. to Darwin, [9 January 1871 ] Darwin’s brother-in-law, …
… Letter 1701 - Morris, M. H. to Prior, R. C. A., [17 June 1855] Margaretta Hare Morris …
… Letter 8113 - Treat, M. to Darwin, [20 December 1871 ] Mary Treat describes her …
… the future. Letter 4038 - Darwin to Lyell, C., [12-13 March 1863] Darwin …
… Letter 7605 - Darwin to Darwin, H. E., [20 March 1871 ] Darwin reports to …
… . Several reviewers speak of the “lucid, vigorous style, &c.” for which he owes her a great debt …
… Letter 7858 - Darwin to Wa llace, A. R., [12 July 1871 ] Darwin tells Wallace that …
… 8089 - Darwin to Litc hfield, H. E., [2 December 1871 ] Darwin sends a chapter on …
… as errors of fact. Letter 2501 - Lyell, C. to Darwin, [3 October 1859] …
… Letter 4373 - Darwin to Wedgwood, K. E. S, M. S. & L. C., [4 August 1862] Darwin …

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: 19 hits

… Charles Darwin’s daughter Henrietta wrote the following journal entries in March and July 1871 in a …
… excised within it, presumably by Henrietta herself. Darwin’s letters in 1870 and 1871 ( …
… scepticism; many of her arguments are reminiscent of Darwin’s own discussion of religious belief in …
… missions due to take place between 26 February and 5 March 1871 in four towns within the deanery of …
… of the theory of natural selection. Snow occasionally sent Darwin information relating to his …
… of emotion (see letters from F. J. Wedgwood to H. E. and C. R. Darwin, [1867–72], letter nos. …
… one of Descent (see letter from Charles and Emma Darwin to F. J. Wedgwood, [March 1871 ?], and …
… University Library. Henrietta Darwin | March 1871 1871 March— Sea Grove …
… fresh in my mind I will give an account of it. Lena & Alice M. 2 were both mission women, …
… amongst whom of course was Lena had any knowledge of it. M r . W. spoke or preached as u like to …
… fits they didn’t attempt—but otherwise it must have m. resembled a Wesleyan revival—even down to the …
… her Father who w d be waiting for her—when down came M r . W. on his knees between them & …
… to reappear next day in the vestry where Lena took her & was m. gratified to find she had cried. …
… it is intense enjoyment I can well believe. I can imagine no m. intense feeling than must be felt by …
… of results. 7 Then I emboldened myself to discover m. of Sno’s creed than I ever have done …
… at fault in the outer world, how can we know that it is m trustworthy in the inner world. This view …
… worship of humanity—this I hope is only in its bud— I c d conceive a life wh. was filled & …
… away what they have no equivalent for. July 4th 1871 . How hard it is to wait—the …
… I think I am a very happy woman. Sunday July 9 th . 1871 I want to think why I shd …

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: 9 hits

… we were very pleased to welcome Terry Molloy back to the Darwin Correspondence Project for a …
… The Archers , previously worked with us playing Charles Darwin in a dramatisation of the …
… to life with his masterful characterisation of Charles Darwin. It was a long and full day at the …
… A significant proportion of the selection comprised Darwin’s letters to women correspondents, who …
… Other female correspondents asked Darwin questions about the spiritual implications of his theories …
… permission to go on the Beagle voyage, to a letter to C. A. Kennard written on 9 January 1882 …
… of the Beagle letters (e.g. letter to Caroline Darwin, 29 April 1836 ) to the more considered …
… in interpreting particular letters. How should one read Darwin’s politely worded rebuke to St G. J. …
… proofreading a draft chapter of Descent (letter to H. E. Darwin, [8 February 1870] ). …

Have you read the one about....

Summary

... the atheistical cats, or the old fogies in Cambridge? We've suggested a few - some funny, some serious - but all letters you can read here.

Matches: 1 hits

… ... the atheistical cats, or the old fogies in Cambridge? We've suggested a few - some funny, some …

Darwin in public and private

Summary

Extracts from Darwin's published works, in particular Descent of man, and selected letters, explore Darwin's views on the operation of sexual selection in humans, and both his publicly and privately expressed views on its practical implications…

Matches: 15 hits

… The following extracts and selected letters explore Darwin's views on the operation of sexual …
… in relation to sex , (London: John Murray, 1st ed., 1871), vol. 1., pp. 207 – 208. 3) “Man …
… and has a more inventive genius…” Descent (1871), vol. 2, pp. 316 – 317. 4) …
… greater tenderness and less selfishness…” Descent (1871), vol. 2, pp. 326 – 327. 5) “The …
… merely the use of the senses and hands….” Descent (1871), vol. 2, pp. 327. 6) “…Thus man …
… is in ornamental plumage to the peahen.” Descent (1871), vol. 2, pp. 328 – 329. 7) …
… chiefly to her adult daughters….” Descent (1871), vol. 2, p. 329. 8) “Man is more …
… should have gained the power of selection…” Descent (1871), vol. 2, pp. 371 – 372. …
… of dark eyebrows. Letter 489 – Darwin to Wedgwood, E., [20 January 1859] …
… on his life and character. Letter 5670f - Darwin to Kingsley, C., [6 November 1867] …
… progenitor. Letter 7123 - Darwin to Darwin, H. E., [March 1870] Darwin …
… impeding general perusal. Letter 8146 – Darwin to Treat, M., [5 January 1872] …
… of her work on Drosera. Letter 10546 – Darwin to Editor of The Times , [23 June …
… progress of physiology. Letter 10746 – Darwin to Dicey, E. M., [1877] …
… Letter 13607 – Darwin to Kennard, C. A., [9 January 1882] Darwin responds to Caroline …

4.7 'Vanity Fair', caricature

Summary

< Back to Introduction A letter to Darwin from his publisher John Murray of 10 May 1871 informed him, ‘Your portrait is earnestly desired – by the Editor of Vanity Fair. I hope Mr Darwin may consent to follow the example of Murchison – Bismark [sic] …

Matches: 14 hits

… < Back to Introduction A letter to Darwin from his publisher John Murray of 10 May …
… agreeing to be caricatured in Vanity Fair ’s pages . Darwin’s first reaction was anything but …
… However, he was won round, and the drawing that appeared in 1871 exuded genial sociability. In this …
… characterisation tallies extremely closely with Francis Darwin’s recollections of his father, both …
… Vanity Fair ’s friendly and convincing likeness of Darwin took its place in a long series of colour …
… by a motto rather than by his name – in the case of Darwin (‘Men of the Day, No. 33’) it was …
… were intermingled with those of royals and aristocrats. Darwin himself, no longer a controversial or …
… evidently thought that Pellegrini would be chosen to draw Darwin, assuring the latter that this …
… House there is a copy of the Vanity Fair caricature of Darwin paired in a single mount and frame …
… 1873) (EH88202629). A printed caption has been added: below Darwin we read, ‘You know we all sprang …
… further.’ physical location Darwin archive, Cambridge University Library. Other …
… the former.   date of creation September 1871   computer-readable date c.1871 -06 …
… and bibliography Vanity Fair , no. 152 (30 Sept. 1871 ), p. 107. Letter from John Murray to …
… Greenwood Press, 1984), pp. 437-440. Janet Browne, Charles Darwin: The Power of Place. Volume II …

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: 26 hits

… In 1882, Darwin reached his 74th year Earthworms had been published the previous …
… for scientific colleagues or their widows facing hardship. Darwin had suffered from poor health …
… of his scientific friends quickly organised a campaign for Darwin to have greater public recognition …
… Botanical observation and experiment had long been Darwin’s greatest scientific pleasure. The year …
… to Fritz Müller, 4 January 1882 ). These were topics that Darwin had been investigating for years, …
… working at the effects of Carbonate of Ammonia on roots,’ Darwin wrote, ‘the chief result being that …
… contents, if immersed for some hours in a weak solution of C. of Ammonia’. Darwin’s interest in root …
… London on 6 and 16 March, respectively. In January, Darwin corresponded with George John …
… letter from Arthur de Souza Corrêa, 28 December 1881 ). Darwin had a long-running interest in such …
… experiments had been conducted to lend support to Darwin’s theory of pangenesis (see …
… He was eager to write up the results on Brazilian cane, with Darwin providing a detailed outline: ‘I …
… at the Linnean Society on 4 May, but not published. Darwin carried on with botanical work in …
… which are asymmetric, thus facilitating cross-fertilisation. Darwin’s aim, he said, was just to …
… 3 April 1882 ). Earthworms and evolution Darwin’s last book, Earthworms , had been …
… Appendix V). The conservative Quarterly Review , owned by Darwin’s publisher John Murray, carried …
… our homes, would in this case greatly suffer’ ( letter to C. A. Kennard, 9 January 1882 ). Kennard …
… judged, intellectually his inferior, please ( letter from C. A. Kennard, 28 January 1882 ). …
… dull aching in the chest’ (Emma Darwin to G. H. Darwin, [ c . 28 March 1882] (DAR 210.3: 45)). …
… to some Estancia,’ wrote Hughes, ‘as the scenery &c. will amply repay your trouble’ ( letter …
… History, that I went as Naturalist on the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle round the World & collected in …
… before I am able to work’ ( letter to A. R. Wallace, [ c . 10 April 1864] ). To the physician …
… and journals by Lyell’s sister-in-law Katherine (see K. M. Lyell ed. 1881, 2: 445–6). A complete …
… steps’ ( letter to Alexander Agassiz, 28 August [1871 ] ; see also Correspondence vol. 19, …
… names to appear’ ( letter to Louisa Stevenson, 8 April 1871 ). It was Darwin’s name that was …
… who had undertaken observations years earlier. In 1871 , he had asked Henry Johnson to observe the …
… vol. 19, letter to Henry Johnson, 23 December 1871 , and Earthworms , pp. 221–8). Darwin …

Language: key letters

Summary

How and why language evolved bears on larger questions about the evolution of the human species, and the relationship between man and animals. Darwin presented his views on the development of human speech from animal sounds in The Descent of Man (1871),…

Matches: 15 hits

… human species, and the relationship between man and animals. Darwin presented his views on the …
… he first began to reflect on the transmutation of species. Darwin’s correspondence reveals the scope …
… he exchanged information and ideas. Letter 346: Darwin, C. R. to Darwin, C. S., 27 Feb 1837 …
… one stock.” Letter 2070: Wedgwood, Hensleigh to Darwin, C. R., [before 29 Sept 1857] …
… because we can trace the elements into Latin, German &c. but I see much the same sort of thing …
… down of former continents.” Letter 3054: Darwin, C. R. to Lyell, Charles, 2 Feb [1861] …
… that languages, like species, were separately created. Darwin writes to the geologist Charles Lyell …
… I tell him is perfectly logical.” Letter 5605: Darwin, C. R. to Müller, J. F. T., 15 Aug …
… loud noise?” Letter 7040: Wedgwood, Hensleigh to Darwin, C. R., [1868-70?] As …
… gradually growing to such a stage” Letter 8367: Darwin, C. R. to Wright, Chauncey, 3 June …
… altering the breed. Letter 8962: Darwin, C. R. to Max Müller, Friedrich, 3 July 1873 …
… Letter 10194: Max Müller, Friedrich to Darwin, C. R., 13 Oct [1875] For Müller, human and …
… […]” Letter 9887: Dawkins, W. B. to Darwin, C. R., 14 Mar 1875 The relationship …
… […]” Letter 11074: Sayce, A. H. to Darwin, C. R., 27 July 1877 Darwin’s study of …
… to eat, for this movement makes a sound like the letter m.” “For some time past I have been …

Science: A Man’s World?

Summary

Discussion Questions|Letters Darwin's correspondence show that many nineteenth-century women participated in the world of science, be it as experimenters, observers, editors, critics, producers, or consumers. Despite this, much of the…

Matches: 15 hits

… Discussion Questions | Letters Darwin's correspondence show that many nineteenth …
… Letters Darwin’s Notes On Marriage [April - July 1838] In these notes, …
… of family, home and sociability. Letter 489 - Darwin to Wedgwood, E., [20 January 1839] …
… theories, & accumulating facts in silence & solitude”. Darwin also comments that he has …
… Letter 3715 - Claparède, J. L. R. A. E. to Darwin, [6 September 1862] Claparède …
… are not those of her sex”. Letter 4038 - Darwin to Lyell, C., [12-13 March 1863] …
… critic”. Letter 4377 - Haeckel, E. P. A. to Darwin, [2 January 1864] Haeckel …
… works”. Letter 4441 - Becker, L. E. to Darwin, [30 March 1864] Lydia Becker …
… to study nature. Letter 4940 - Cresy, E. to Darwin, E., [20 November 1865] …
… masculine nor pedantic”. Letter 6976 - Darwin to Blackwell, A. B., [8 November 1869] …
… , (1829). Letter 7329 - Murray, J. to Darwin, [28 September 1870] Written …
… them ears”. Letter 8055 - Hennell, S. S. to Darwin, [7 November 1871 ] Sarah …
… Letter 8079 - Norton, S. R. to Darwin, [20 November 1871 ] Sarah Norton passes on to …
… women. Letter 10746 – Darwin to Dicey, E. M., [1877] Darwin gives his …
… patience. Letter 13607 – Darwin to Kennard, C. A., [9 January 1882] Darwin …

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: 20 hits

… Darwin’s views on race and gender are intertwined, and mingled also with …
… in beetles. The unity of human species Darwin believed that the same process of sexual …
… gradually increase those features over long periods of time. Darwin’s theory was based partly on the …
… seemed to prevail across the globe. In Descent , Darwin also addressed widely held beliefs …
… of ‘species’, ‘varieties’, and ‘races’. Darwin argued forcefully for the unity of the human species, …
… Gender and civilisation In his early notebooks, Darwin remarked that survival value or …
… , B74). In his later writings on plants and animals, Darwin remained consistent on this point, and …
… improvement, or design. However, when it came to humans, Darwin reintroduced the structure of …
… and present, on the basis of their ‘civilization’. Here Darwin drew on contemporary anthropology, …
… colonial conquests and expansion abroad. Thus, while Darwin’s views on race differed widely …
… in the success of nations’ ( Descent 1: 239). For Darwin, the civilising process was essentially …
… taken from their homeland in Tierra del Fuego to England, Darwin wrote: ‘in contradiction of what …
… were often crossed in practice ( see correspondence with C. Kennard, below ). The implications of …
… Letter to J. S. Henslow, 11 April 1833 Letter to C. R. Lyell, 11 October [1859] …
… F. W. Farrar, 6 November 1865 Letter to J. P. M. Weale, 27 August [1867] …
… Press. Desmond, Adrian and James Moore. 2009. Darwin's sacred cause . London: Allen …
… of Science 6: 9–23 [in a special issue on ‘Descent of Darwin: race, sex, and human nature’]. …
… . New York: The Free Press. Voss, Julia. 2007, Darwin’s pictures: views of evolutionary …
… women Key letters : Letter to H. E. Darwin, [8 February 1870] Letter …
… 28 January 1882 Further Reading: Darwin, Descent of man (1871 ), 2: 326–9. …

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: 9 hits

… the most notorious realm of controversy over evolution in Darwin's day was religion. The same …
… nineteenth century were different in important ways. Many of Darwin's leading supporters were …
… their religious beliefs with evolutionary theory. Darwin's own writing, both in print and …
… much as possible. A number of correspondents tried to draw Darwin out on his own religious views, …
… political contexts. Design Darwin was not the first to challenge …
… on the controversial topic of design. The first is between Darwin and Harvard botanist Asa Gray, …
… second is a single letter from naturalist A. R. Wallace to Darwin on design and natural selection. …
… Darwin and Graham Letter 13230 — Darwin, C. R. to Graham, William, 3 July 1881 …
… run its own course. Letter 8070 — Darwin, C. R. to Abbot, F. E., 16 Nov [1871] …

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.…

Matches: 14 hits

… Darwin's correspondence shows that women made significant contributions to Darwin's work, …
… set of selected letters is followed by letters relating to Darwin's 1881 publication …
… throughout Variation . Letter 2395 - Darwin to Holland, Miss, [April 1860] …
… anonymised and masculinised. Letter 3316 - Darwin to Nevill, D. F., [12 November …
… Nevill is referenced by name for her “kindness” in Darwin’s Fertilisation of Orchids . …
… science critic. Letter 4370 - Wedgwood, L. C. to Darwin, [April - May 1865] …
… as “friends in Surrey”. Letter 4794 - Darwin to Lyell, C., [25 March 1865] …
… to state that the information was “received through Sir C. Lyell” or received from “Miss. B”. …
… in the final publication. Letter 7223 - Darwin to Wedgwood, L. C., [9 June 1867 - …
… in Expression . Letter 5817 - Darwin to Huxley, T. H., [30 January 1868 …
… at him. Letter 7345 - Wedgwood, L. C. to Darwin, [15 June 1872] Darwin’s …
… input. Letter 8719 - Darwin to Treat, M., [1 January 1873] Darwin asks …
… Letter 7428 - Wedgwood, F. to Darwin, [4 January 1871 ] Darwin’s brother-in-law, …
… worm castings . Letter 7345 - Wedgwood, L. C. to Darwin, [15 June 1872] …

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: 24 hits

… 1874 was one of consolidation, reflection, and turmoil for Darwin. He spent the early months working …
… dispute over an anonymous review that attacked the work of Darwin’s son George dominated the second …
… and traveller Alexander von Humboldt’s 105th birthday, Darwin obliged with a reflection on his debt …
… during prolonged intervals’ ( letter to D. T. Gardner, [ c . 27 August 1874] ). The death of a …
… from W. D. Fox, 8 May [1874] ). Such reminiscences led Darwin to the self-assessment, ‘as for one …
… I feel very old & helpless The year started for Darwin with a week’s visit to …
… Andrew Clark, whom he had been consulting since August 1873. Darwin had originally thought that …
… ( letter to B. J. Sulivan, 6 January [1874] ). Darwin mentioned his poor health so frequently in …
… 1874 ). Séances, psychics, and sceptics Darwin excused himself for reasons of …
… by George Henry Lewes and Marian Evans (George Eliot), but Darwin excused himself, finding it too …
… the month, another Williams séance was held at the home of Darwin’s cousin Hensleigh Wedgwood. Those …
… imposter’ ( letter from T. H. Huxley, 27 January 1874 ). Darwin agreed that it was ‘all imposture’ …
… stop word getting to America of the ‘strange news’ that Darwin had allowed ‘a spirit séance’ at his …
… the first three months of the year and, like many of Darwin’s enterprises in the 1870s, were family …
… 21, letter to Smith, Elder & Co., 17 December [1873] ). Darwin himself had some trouble in …
… and letter to Charles Lyell, [13 January 1874] ). Darwin blamed his illness for the …
… . In his preface ( Coral reefs 2d ed., pp. v–vii), Darwin reasserted the priority of his work. …
… fourth son, Leonard, who had joined the Royal Engineers in 1871 , went to New Zealand as photographer …
… of books in relation to the Origin, of which I have the M.S. half completed; but I have started the …
… in a few hours dissolve the hardest cartilage, bone & meat &c. &c.’ ( letter to W. D. …
… whether at the ‘close of the putrefaction of flesh, skin &c, any substance is produced before …
… details of an Australian variety of sundew ( letter from T. C. Copland, 23 June 1874 ). …
… Darwin replied, ‘I have so poor a metaphysical head that M r Spencer’s terms of equilibration …
… for a Serbian translation of Origin ( letter from M. M. Radovanović, 17 September 1874 ), …

Rewriting Origin - the later editions

Summary

For such an iconic work, the text of Origin was far from static. It was a living thing that Darwin continued to shape for the rest of his life, refining his ‘one long argument’ through a further five English editions. Many of his changes were made in…

Matches: 27 hits

… Origin was far from static. It was a living thing that Darwin continued to shape for the rest of …
… hard to remember now that Origin was not the book that Darwin set out to write. He didn’t …
… everlasting origin, & I am sick of correcting.— Darwin found revision itself a …
… edition up to the 6 th (the final one published in Darwin’s lifetime) was prefaced by a long list …
… from Richard Owen that 'we do not want to know what Darwin believes & is convinced of, …
… Bordalejo, Introduction to the Online Variorum of Darwin's Origin of Species ). Not all …
… US editions and the French and German translations, where Darwin was often closely involved in the …
… . Even the term 'natural selection' came under fire , and Darwin supplemented it by …
… different: a cheaper, consciously ‘popular’ edition. Darwin knew that this was the last one he would …
… English edition: printing had begun by 22 December 1859 ; Darwin returned the last proof sheets …
… German translation, July 1860 3d English edition: Darwin heard that it was needed in …
… on first day, & he wants another instantly… Darwin heard that a new edition was …
… to cram in the changes that mattered to him most. Darwin’s friends were still sending …
… proof sheets from September to November 1859, Lyell buried Darwin under a blizzard of letters (see …
… finished corrections to the proofs by 11 September Darwin was still trying to incorporate Lyell’s …
… the origin of domestic dogs , but the change that went to Darwin’s heart was the deletion of a …
… list of changes he had ready to send to the publisher , Darwin highlighted the addition of an …
… author Charles Kingsley, a chaplain to the queen, which Darwin seized on eagerly , getting …
… nd to 3 rd editions; US edition By June 1860 Darwin was at least open to the …
… had come on the market. It incorporated many of the changes Darwin had made to the second English …
… advanced version of the text available. (Read more on Darwin's additions to the US edition …
… in the Everglades delights me If Lyell was Darwin’s key correspondent for the first …
… its immunity to poison (see letter from Jeffries Wyman, [ c . 15] September 1860 ). Among pigs …
… plant, the paint-root, without their hooves falling off. Darwin added the account to Origin 3d …
… Wyman, like so many other correspondents introduced to Darwin in this way, was applied to repeatedly …
… ‘ It is delicious the calm way you jaw up the imposter M. ’ wrote Darwin’s son, William, who was …
… die. Thomas Henry Huxley, 28 September 1871 Geographical …

Darwin as mentor

Summary

Darwin provided advice, encouragement and praise to his fellow scientific 'labourers' of both sexes. Selected letters Letter 2234 - Darwin to Unidentified, [5 March 1858] Darwin advises that Professor C. P. Smyth’s observations are not…

Matches: 11 hits

… Darwin provided advice, encouragement and praise to his fellow scientific …
… Selected letters Letter 2234 - Darwin to Unidentified, [5 March 1858] Darwin …
… on insufficient grounds. Letter 3934 - Darwin to Scott, J., [21 January 1863] …
… material worthy of publication. Letter 4185 - Darwin to Scott, J., [25 & 28 May …
… worker you are!”. Letter 7605 - Darwin to Darwin, H. E., [20 March 1871] …
… “lucid vigorous style”. In consultation with Emma, Darwin offers Henrietta “some little memorial” in …
… so many observations without aid. Letter 8146 - Darwin to Treat, M., [5 January 1872] …
… scientific journal”. Letter 8171 - Darwin to Wedgwood, L., [21 January 1872] …
… stooping over holes for hours which “tried my head”. Darwin notes that Lucy is worth her weight in …
… he had repeated the experiment. Letter 9580 - Darwin to Darwin, G. H. D., [1 August …
… be published. Letter 10523 - Darwin to Treat, M., [1 June 1876] Darwin praises …

Darwin in letters, 1875: Pulling strings

Summary

‘I am getting sick of insectivorous plants’, Darwin confessed in January 1875. He had worked on the subject intermittently since 1859, and had been steadily engaged on a book manuscript for nine months; January also saw the conclusion of a bitter dispute…

Matches: 26 hits

… Editions Plants always held an important place in Darwin’s theorising about species, and …
… his periods of severe illness. Yet on 15 January 1875 , Darwin confessed to his close friend …
… way to continuous writing and revision, activities that Darwin found less gratifying: ‘I am slaving …
… bad.’ The process was compounded by the fact that Darwin was also revising another manuscript …
… coloured stamens.’ At intervals during the year, Darwin was diverted from the onerous task of …
… zoologist St George Jackson Mivart. In April and early May, Darwin was occupied with a heated …
… chapter of the controversy involved a slanderous attack upon Darwin’s son George, in an anonymous …
… on 12 January , breaking off all future communication. Darwin had been supported during the affair …
… Society of London, and a secretary of the Linnean Society, Darwin’s friends had to find ways of …
… pp. 16–17). ‘How grandly you have defended me’, Darwin wrote on 6 January , ‘You have also …
… in public. ‘Without cutting him direct’, he advised Darwin on 7 January , ‘I should avoid him, …
… & again’ ( letter from J. D. Hooker, 16 January 1875 ). Darwin had also considered taking up …
… , ‘I feel now like a pure forgiving Christian!’ Darwin’s ire was not fully spent, however, …
… in the same Quarterly article that attacked George. Darwin raised the matter at the end of the …
… to rest, another controversy was brewing. In December 1874, Darwin had been asked to sign a memorial …
… Hensleigh and Frances Wedgwood. She had corresponded with Darwin about the evolution of the moral …
… could not sign the paper sent me by Miss Cobbe.’ Darwin found Cobbe’s memorial inflammatory …
… memorial had been read in the House of Lords (see ' Darwin and vivisection '). …
… medical educators, and other interested parties. Darwin was summoned to testify on 3 November. It …
… ( Report of the Royal Commission on vivisection , p. 183). Darwin learned of Klein’s testimony …
… agree to any law, which should send him to the treadmill.’ Darwin had become acquainted with Klein …
… am astounded & disgusted at what you say about Klein,’ Darwin replied to Huxley on 1 November …
… the man.’ Poisons, plants, and print-runs Darwin’s keen interest in the progress of …
… thousand pardon & more’ ( letter to Francis Darwin, [ c . February 1875?] ). By May, having …
… energy as yours almost always succeeds.’ ‘I’m afraid my letters smell of pitch,’ George replied on …
… under the authority of the Church. After becoming vicar in 1871 , Ffinden had opposed their efforts, …

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: 29 hits

… ‘My career’, Darwin wrote towards the end of 1872, ‘is so nearly closed. . . What little …
… of On the origin of species , intended to be Darwin’s last, and of Expression of the …
… of man and selection in relation to sex , published in 1871 , these books brought a strong if …
… 27 July [1872] ). By the end of the year Darwin was immersed in two of the studies that …
… of books and papers, and the latter formed the subject of Darwin’s last book, The formation of …
… worms , published in the year before his death. Despite Darwin’s declared intention to take up new …
… begun many years before. In his private life also, Darwin was in a nostalgic frame of mind, …
… The last word on Origin The year opened with Darwin, helped by his eldest son William, …
… on 30 January , shortly after correcting the proofs, and Darwin’s concern for the consolidation of …
… and sixth editions were costly to incorporate, and despite Darwin’s best efforts, set the final …
… closely involved in every stage of publication of his books, Darwin was keen to ensure that this …
… remained unpublished at the end of the year ( letter from C.-F. Reinwald, 23 November 1872 ). …
… to bring out the new edition in the United States, Darwin arranged with Murray to have it …
… had to be reset. The investment in stereotype reinforced Darwin’s intention to make no further …
… A worsening breach The criticisms against which Darwin had taken the greatest trouble to …
… objections to the theory of natural selection’, Darwin refuted point by point assertions published …
… Although Mivart was among those who wrote in January to wish Darwin a happy new year, before the …
… critical and anonymously published review of Descent . Darwin’s supporters had rallied to his …
… The republication of Wright’s paper had been arranged by Darwin himself (see Correspondence vol. …
… so bigotted a person as I am made to appear’, complained Darwin ( letter to St G. J. Mivart, 5 …
… than offended by `that clever book’ ( letter to J. M. Herbert, 21 November 1872 ) and invited …
… from his ignorance, he feels no doubts’ ( letter to F. C. Donders, 17 June 1872 ). Right up to the …
… Charlton Bastian’s recent book on the origin of life (H. C. Bastian 1872; Wallace 1872d) left him …
… Lord Sackville Cecil, to attend a séance ( letter from M. C. Stanley, 4 June 1872 ). There was …
… others described the way their hands blushed (letter from M. I. Snow, 29 [November 1872 or later] …
… gift, although he doubted he would ever use it ( letter to C. L. Dodgson, 10 December 1872 ). …
… try `with straight blunt knitting needle’ ( letter to L. C. Wedgwood, 5 January [1872] ) to …
… life which surprised & gratified me more’ ( letter to J. M. Herbert, 21 November 1872 ). Fox …
… to which any scientific man can look’ ( letter to F. C. Donders, 29 April [1872] ). …

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