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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: 19 hits

… There are summaries of all Darwin's letters from the year 1879 on this website. The full texts …
… 27 of the print edition of The correspondence of Charles Darwin , published by Cambridge …
… to publish a biographical account of his grandfather Erasmus Darwin to accompany a translation of an …
… the sensitivity of the tips. Despite this breakthrough, when Darwin first mentioned the book to his …
… W. T. Thiselton-Dyer, [after 26] July [1879] ). From July, Darwin had an additional worry: the …
… that his grandfather had felt the same way. In 1792, Erasmus Darwin had written: ‘The worst thing I …
… contained a warmer note and the promise of future happiness: Darwin learned he was to be visited by …
… Hacon, 31 December 1879 ). Seventy years old Darwin’s seventieth birthday on 12 …
… which is crowned with glory’ ( letter from Ernst Haeckel, 9 February 1879 ). The botanist and …
… with Charles Darwin and Ernst Haeckel. Kosmos was, as Francis Darwin reported from Germany that …
… the children correctly’, mentioning in particular that Francis Galton was the son of one of Erasmus …
… to contradict false statements that had been published by Francis Galton’s aunt, Mary Anne …
… for Captain Robert FitzRoy on the Beagle voyage, Francis Beaufort of the Admiralty described the …
… and poet’ ( Correspondence vol. 1, letter from Francis Beaufort to Robert FitzRoy, 1 September …
… ). Darwin welcomed Krause’s suggestion, but warned him on 9 June not to ‘expend much powder & …
… perplexed than ever about life of D r . D’ ( letter to Francis Darwin, 12 July [1879] ). It was …
… in plants. Over the previous two years, he and his son Francis had worked together on the …
… of radicles, the embryonic roots of seedlings ( letter to Francis Darwin, 16 June [1879] ). …
… (Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield, [27 August 1879] (DAR 219.9 : 201)). Celebrity and honours …

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: 24 hits

… In May 1881, Darwin, one of the best-known celebrities in England if not the world, began …
… a very old man, who probably will not last much longer.’ Darwin’s biggest fear was not death, but …
… sweetest place on this earth’. From the start of the year, Darwin had his demise on his mind. He …
… provision for the dividing of his wealth after his death. Darwin’s gloominess was compounded by the …
… and new admirers got in touch, and, for all his fears, Darwin found several scientific topics to …
… Evolution old and new when revising his essay on Erasmus Darwin’s scientific work, and that Darwin …
… memory in November 1880 and in an abusive letter about Darwin in the St James’s Gazette on 8 …
… of the false accusation’. Other friends rallied round. Francis Balfour translated Krause’s account …
… had been a major undertaking for both Darwin and his son Francis , who assisted in the many …
… of their behaviour were trustworthy ( letter to Francis Galton, 8 March [1881] ). Although results …
… learn from experience, Darwin was wary, telling Romanes on 9 March , ‘I intend to have another …
… July, sending the pages to Germany for further checks by Francis Darwin, who was spending the summer …
… Ruskin, who lived there. Sending the last two chapters to Francis on 27 May , Darwin wrote, …
… to begin any new subject requiring much work’, he told Francis Darwin on 30 May . ‘I have been …
… case.’ An additional motivation may have been to support Francis Darwin’s published research on …
… Darwin tried a variety of plants and reagents, telling Francis on 17 October , ‘I have wasted …
… up the job; but I cannot endure to do this’, Darwin told Francis on 9 November , and writing …
… ( Correspondence vol. 30, letter to C. A. Kennard, 9 January 1882 ). ‘I …
… Cambridge Scientific Instrument Company led Darwin to chide Francis for giving a klinostat designed …
… supporters, and rejoiced in his election. Promoting Francis ’s own botanical research was as …
… on 27 January for not commending papers presented by Francis at the Linnean Society the previous …
… who had received presentation copies. Galton wrote on 9 October , ‘I wish the worms were not such …
… of letters about worms’, he told Francis Darwin on 9 November , ‘but amidst much rubbish there …
… ( letter to Francis Darwin, 28 [October 1881] ). On 9 November, Darwin told Francis , ‘I have …

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: 24 hits

… lessen injury to leaves from radiation In 1878, Darwin devoted most of his attention to …
… organs in this process. Working closely with his son Francis, Darwin devised a series of experiments …
… of most advanced plant laboratories in Europe. While Francis was away, Darwin delighted in …
… from botanical research was provided by potatoes, as Darwin took up the cause of an Irish …
… would rid Ireland of famine. Several correspondents pressed Darwin for his views on religion, …
… closed with remarkable news of a large legacy bequeathed to Darwin by a stranger as a reward for his …
… birthday ( letter to Ernst Haeckel, 12 February [1878] ), Darwin reflected that it was ‘more …
… Expression ), and the final revision of Origin (1872), Darwin had turned almost exclusively to …
… Movement in plants In the spring of 1878, Darwin started to focus on the first shoots and …
… Cactus’, he wrote to William Turner Thiselton-Dyer on 9 May. He later noted that in many Cacteae the …
… ( letter to Sophy Wedgwood, 24 March [1878–80] ). While Darwin was studying the function of …
… on one side, then another, to produce movement in the stalk. Darwin compared adult and young leaves …
… (see Movement in plants , pp. 112–13). He explained to Francis on 2 July : ‘I go on maundering …
… after growth has ceased or nearly ceased.’ Finally, Darwin turned to plant motion below the …
… about the radicles’, he wrote to Thiselton-Dyer on 9 May . ‘The apex is sensitive, & instead …
… precision the lines of least resistance in the ground.’ Darwin would devote a whole chapter to the …
… out that he missed sensitiveness of apex’ ( letter to Francis Darwin, [11 May 1878] ). …
… the bassoon & apparently more by a high than a low note.’ Francis apparently played the musical …
… on plant movement were intensely collaborative, with Francis playing a more active role than ever. …
… exchanged when they were apart. At the start of June, Francis left to work at Sach’s laboratory in …
… ( letter to W. T. Thiselton-Dyer, 18 June [1878] ). While Francis was away, Darwin sent regular …
… to talk to, about my work, I scribble to you ( letter to Francis Darwin, 7 [July 1878] ). Two …
… is horrid not having you to discuss it with’ ( letter to Francis Darwin, 20 [July 1878] ). …
… ‘I am what may be called a rich man’, he replied on 9 December, ‘on the other hand I have 5 sons …

List of correspondents

Summary

Below is a list of Darwin's correspondents with the number of letters for each one. Click on a name to see the letters Darwin exchanged with that correspondent. "A child of God" (1) Abberley,…

Matches: 22 hits

… Below is a list of Darwin's correspondents with the number of letters for each one. …
… G. E. (1) Beaufort, Francis (5) …
… Boole, M. E. (3) Boott, Francis (7) …
… (1) Caird, James (9) Caldcleugh, Alexander …
… (3) Canestrini, Giovanni (9) Canfield, C. A. …
… (1) Caton, J. D. (9) Cattell, John …
… (6) Claus, C. F. (9) Clendon, George, Jr …
… (1) Conway, M. D. (9) Conybeare, J. C. …
… (3) Dareste, Camille (9) Darwin family …
… (1) Darwin, C. M. C. (9) Darwin, C. R. …
… (1) Darwin, Elizabeth (9) Darwin, Emma …
… (2) Ernst, Adolf (9) Errera, L. A. …
… Everest, Robert (1) Ewbank, Francis (1) …
… Fox, W. D. (225) Francis, George (1) …
… (1) Galton, E. A. (9) Galton, E. S. …
… Archibald (1) Lloyd, Francis (1) …
… Parker, Charles (2) Parker, Francis (1) …
… Walford, Edward (2) Walker, Francis (6) …
… George (2) Warner, Francis (1) …
… F. M. (2) Wedgwood, Francis (4) …
… (2) Wemyss-Charteris-Douglas, Francis (1) …
… White, Adam (2) White, Francis Buchanan (3) …

Francis Galton

Summary

Galton was a naturalist, statistician, and evolutionary theorist. He was a second cousin of Darwin’s, having descended from his grandfather, Erasmus. Born in Birmingham in 1822, Galton studied medicine at King’s College, London, and also read mathematics…

Matches: 12 hits

… and evolutionary theorist. He was a second cousin of Darwin’s, having descended from his grandfather …
… a natural historical narrative of the journey (Galton 1853). Darwin enjoyed and admired Galton’s …
… into an entirely new province of knowledge’ ( 9 December 1859 ). He soon became interested in …
… Hereditary Genius (1869), which contained an entry on the Darwin family, including the “author of …
… for subjects of natural history”. Shortly after Darwin published his preliminary hypothesis …
… on rabbits to test the theory. He reported regularly to Darwin on these experiments, which involved …
… Royal Society claiming that his results tended to disprove Darwin’s theory (Galton 1871). This …
… 1871 ). His views on inheritance continued to diverge from Darwin’s, however. He studied cases of …
… Galton shared his views in several lengthy letters, but Darwin struggled with the abstract reasoning …
… and infirmities, with the aim of improving the population. Darwin was less optimistic about such a …
… ( 4 January [1873] ). Like most of his contemporaries, Darwin continued to believe in the …
… men of science: their nature and nurture (Galton 1874), Darwin insisted that he had no particular …

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: 21 hits

… When Darwin resumed systematic research on emotions around 1866, he began to collect …
… ease of distribution sometime in late 1867 or early 1868. Darwin went over his questions, refining …
… was the collection of observations on a global scale. Darwin was especially interested in peoples …
… cultural and conventional, or instinctive and universal. Darwin used his existing correspondence …
… and with the mouth a little drawn back at the corners?” Darwin’s questionnaire was an extension of …
… was also carefully devised so as to prevent the feelings of Darwin’s remote observers from colouring …
… and not the susceptibilities of a moral nature.” Darwin did not typically countenance such …
… the collection of information to its display in print. After Darwin received all of the replies to …
… except “yes” or “no.” “The same state of mind” Darwin would later assert in Expression of the …
… uniformity.” Table of Correspondence about Darwin’s Questionnaire (click on the letter …
… could available online ahead of schedule as part of the “Darwin and Human Nature” project, funded by …
… Southampton, England letter to W.E. Darwin shrugging/pouting of …
… blushing Darwin, Francis 20 June 1867 …
… Bartlett and S. Sutton Darwin, Francis …
… pouting Darwin, W.E. [after 29 March 1868] …
… blushing in blind students Darwin, W.E. [7 …
… blushing Darwin, W.E. [22? April 1868] …
… from Mansel Weale Galton, Francis 7 Nov …
… Gray, Asa 9 May [1869] [Alexandria, Egypt] …
… Gray, Jane 9 May [1869] [Alexandria, Egypt] …
… Gray, Asa 8 & 9 May 1869 Florence, Italy (about …

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: 19 hits

… The year 1876 started out sedately enough with Darwin working on the first draft of his book on the …
… games. ‘I have won, hurrah, hurrah, 2795 games’, Darwin boasted; ‘my wife … poor creature, has won …
… regarding the ailments that were so much a feature of Darwin family life. But the calm was not to …
… the first member of the next generation of the family, with Francis and Amy’s child expected in …
… four days later. ‘I cannot bear to think of the future’, Darwin confessed to William on 11 …
… once, the labour of checking proofs proved a blessing, as Darwin sought solace for the loss of his …
… had involved much time and effort the previous year, and Darwin clearly wanted to focus his …
… When Smith, Elder and Company proposed reissuing two of Darwin’s three volumes of the geology of …
… single-volume edition titled Geological observations , Darwin resisted making any revisions at …
… Darwin reassured his close friend Joseph Hooker that he and Francis would attend the meeting. Darwin …
… subject takes an opposite line’. Although he conceded that Francis had the best of an argument with …
… of heredity named perigenesis, which he sent to Darwin on 9 May . Haeckel argued that the …
… ’, Darwin later told Muller ( letter to Fritz Müller, [9 February 1876] ). Likewise, when Johann …
… to propose the young rising star of Cambridge morphology, Francis Maitland Balfour, for fellowship …
… of the earliest available commercial models of typewriter. Francis Darwin and his wife, Amy, …
… point, and he was reliant on his son George and cousin Francis Galton for the calculations. ‘I have …
… in their research. He revelled in the praise heaped on Francis by George Henry Lewes for an article …
… chemical pycrotoxine in vivisection experiments ( letter to Francis Darwin, [1 May 1876] ). Darwin …
… 2 May [1876] ). Darwin even cautioned the otherwise healthy Francis , ‘Take care and do not overwork …

Power of movement in plants

Summary

Sources|Discussion Questions|Experiment Family experiments Darwin was an active and engaged father during his children's youth, involving them in his experiments and even occasionally using them as observational subjects. When his children…

Matches: 11 hits

… | Experiment Family experiments Darwin was an active and engaged father during …
… Man (1872). This teaching module focuses on work done by Darwin with his son Francis on …
… and his role as an attentive and affectionate father. Darwin's letters to Francis mix advice on …
… notice that although they come from the last decade of Darwin’s life, he is still interested in his …
… move In The Power of movement in plants Darwin continued his experiments with and …
… in behavioral responses. In the conclusion of the book Darwin argues that gradual modifications in …
… SOURCES Books Darwin, C.R. The power of movement in plants. 1880. London: …
… of movement in plants Letter 7346 - Darwin to Francis Darwin, 18 October 1870 …
… compromising their character. Letter 10517 - Darwin to Francis Darwin, 29 May 1876 …
… they would be worth making. Letter 11628 - Francis Darwin to Darwin, 24 July 1878 …
… 4. What is the tone of the beginning of Chapter 9 ? Why do you think that Darwin and his …

Darwin in letters, 1880: Sensitivity and worms

Summary

‘My heart & soul care for worms & nothing else in this world,’ Darwin wrote to his old Shrewsbury friend Henry Johnson on 14 November 1880. Darwin became fully devoted to earthworms in the spring of the year, just after finishing the manuscript of…

Matches: 23 hits

… heart & soul care for worms & nothing else in this world,’ Darwin wrote to his old …
… to adapt to varying conditions. The implications of Darwin’s work for the boundary between animals …
… studies of animal instincts by George John Romanes drew upon Darwin’s early observations of infants, …
… of evolution and creation. Many letters flowed between Darwin and his children, as he took delight …
… Financial support for science was a recurring issue, as Darwin tried to secure a Civil List pension …
… with Samuel Butler, prompted by the publication of Erasmus Darwin the previous year. …
… Charles Harrison Tindal, sent a cache of letters from two of Darwin’s grandfather’s clerical friends …
… divines to see a pig’s body opened is very amusing’, Darwin replied, ‘& that about my …
… registry offices, and produced a twenty-page history of the Darwin family reaching back to the …
… the world’ ( letter from J. L. Chester, 3 March 1880 ). Darwin’s sons George and Leonard also …
… and conciliate a few whose ancestors had not featured in Darwin’s Life . ‘In an endeavour to …
… think I must pay a round of visits.’ One cousin, Reginald Darwin, warmed to George: ‘he had been …
… an ordinary mortal who could laugh’ ( letter from W. E. Darwin to Charles and Emma Darwin, 22 July …
… Ernst Krause, 7 June 1879 , and letter to Ernst Krause, 9 June [1879] ). The final text of the …
… inflated to an elephant’ ( letter from Ernst Krause, 9 December 1880 ). Again, Darwin felt …
… Mr Butler whatever.’ Power of movement With Francis ’s assistance, the last of Darwin’s …
… of the nervous system, and the nature of ‘sensitivity’. Francis Balfour described Movement in …
… the intake of stones and flints to aid digestion. He asked Francis to check for castings on old …
… rightly thought the ‘queer subject’ of interest to Francis Galton, who had already taken thumb …
… extending the study to public-school pupils ( letter to Francis Galton, 7 April 1880 , and …
… the success of our efforts’ ( letter to A. B. Buckley, 9 November 1880 ). He worked with Huxley on …
… about their party quarrels’ ( letter to James Torbitt, 9 May 1880 ). Politicians grew concerned …
… William’s interest in geology, and longed to see Francis elected fellow of the Royal Society. He …

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: 20 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 …
… garden. Letter 4523 - Wedgwood, L. C. to Darwin, [6 June 1864] Darwin’s …
… . Letter 5745 - Barber, M. E. to Darwin, [after February 1867] Mary Barber …
… Letter 6736 - Gray, A. & J. L to Darwin, [8 & 9 May 1869] Jane Loring Gray, …
… with fly-catching Drosera . Letter 9426 - Story-Maskelyne , T. M. to …
… the birds attacking the buds and flowers. Letter 9616 - Marshall, T. to Darwin, …
… Letter 6453 - Langton, E. to Wedgwood, S. E., [9 November 1868] Darwin’s nephew, …
… 5756 - Langton, E. & C. to Wedgwood S. E., [after 9 November 1868] Darwin’s …
… she has “dug some more trenches”. Letter 9606 - Harrison, L. C. to Darwin, …
… which are carefully packed in a tin box. Letter 9616 - Marshall, T. to Darwin, …
… Letter 7433 - Wedgwood, F. to Darwin, [9 January 1871] Darwin’s brother-in-law, …
… experiments with fly-catching Drosera . Letter 9485 - Treat, M. to Darwin, [8 …
… tells her eldest son, William, that her third eldest son, Francis , is receiving help with his plant …
… February 1857] Darwin’s nephew, Edmund, writes to Francis with the results of his …
… in his home. Letter 10517 - Darwin to Francis , F., [29 May 1876] Darwin …
… Letter 8153 - Darwin to Darwin, W. E., [9 January 1872] Darwin thanks his son …
… Letter 10517 - Darwin t o Francis , F., [29 May 1876] Darwin gives his son, Francis …

Darwin in letters, 1868: Studying sex

Summary

The quantity of Darwin’s correspondence increased dramatically in 1868 due largely to his ever-widening research on human evolution and sexual selection.Darwin’s theory of sexual selection as applied to human descent led him to investigate aspects of the…

Matches: 25 hits

… On 6 March 1868, Darwin wrote to the entomologist and accountant John Jenner Weir, ‘If any …
… he ought to do what I am doing pester them with letters.’ Darwin was certainly true to his word. The …
… and sexual selection. In Origin , pp. 87–90, Darwin had briefly introduced the concept of …
… process. In a letter to Alfred Russel Wallace in 1864, Darwin claimed that sexual selection was ‘the …
… 12, letter to A. R. Wallace, 28 [May 1864] ). Darwin’s theory of sexual selection as …
… to the stridulation of crickets. At the same time, Darwin continued to collect material on …
… his immediate circle of friends and relations. In July 1868 Darwin was still anticipating that his …
… which was devoted to sexual selection in the animal kingdom. Darwin described his thirst for …
… in January 1868. A final delay caused by the indexing gave Darwin much vexation. ‘My book is …
… 1867 and had expected to complete it in a fortnight. But at Darwin’s request, he modified his …
… the text. This increased the amount of work substantially. Darwin asked Murray to intervene, …
… … though it would be a great loss to the Book’. But Darwin’s angry letter to Murray crossed one from …
… blank’ ( letter from W. S. Dallas, 8 January 1868 ). Darwin sympathised, replying on 14 January …
… as stone, if it were not quite mollified by your note’. Darwin enclosed a cheque to Dallas for £55 …
… and descent in the Fortnightly Review , and asked Darwin for comments. Darwin was clearly …
… ‘fast passing away’ that sparked the most discussion. Darwin wrote to Hooker on 23 February , …
… on the auditory organs of Orthoptera and Coleoptera on 9 September . Darwin annotated a letter …
… collector in his student days, Darwin encouraged his son Francis , now an undergraduate at Cambridge, …
… ( letter to A . R. Wallace, 16 September [1868] ). Francis sought additional advice from the …
… from the south of France to Sarah Elizabeth Wedgwood on 9 Novembe r, describing sphinx moths that …
… direct result of natural selection ( Variation 2: 185–9 ). Wallace seized upon this point in a …
… Katherine ( letter from C. M. Hawkshaw to Emma Darwin, 9 February [1868] ). Darwin’s eldest son, …
… vaccination ( letter from W. E. Darwin, [7 April 1868] ). Francis was also drafted into the …
… from Fritz Müller, 22 April 1868 , 17 June 1868 , 9 September 1868 , and 31 October 1868 …
… A different order of pride was expressed on 9 November by Ernst Haeckel on the birth of his son …

Volume 29 (1881) is published!

Summary

In October 1881, Darwin published his last book, The formation of vegetable mould through the action of worms: with observations on their habits. A slim volume on a subject that many people could understand and on which they had their own opinions, it went…

Matches: 9 hits

… From the start of 1881, Darwin had his demise on his mind. He increasingly relied on his son William …
… provision for the dividing of his wealth after his death. Darwin’s gloominess was compounded by the …
… and new admirers got in touch, and, for all his fears, Darwin found several scientific topics to …
… with which the book has been received. Letter t o Francis Darwin, 9 November [1881] …
… A. B. Buckley, 4 January 1881 In January, Darwin heard that his efforts to secure a …
… Arabella Burton Buckley had suggested the possibility, and Darwin, with her help, wrote a memorial …
… spent June in the Lake District, a family holiday which Darwin contemplated with his customary …
… Letter to W. E. Darwin, 4 August [1881] In early August, …
… Letter to T. H. Farrer, 28 August 1881 Darwin’s elder brother, Erasmus, died in …

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: 27 hits

… indicates, 1862 was a particularly productive year for Darwin. This was not only the case in his …
… promotion of his theory of natural selection also continued: Darwin’s own works expanded on it, …
… a keen interest in the progress of his views through Europe, Darwin negotiated, in addition to a …
… the family over the summer. But towards the end of the year, Darwin was able once more to turn his …
… of the Scottish press hissed). Huxley, while advocating Darwin’s theory, had again espoused the view …
… experimental production of new ‘physiological’ species. Darwin attempted to dissuade him from this …
… delivered a series of lectures to working men that reviewed Darwin’s theory, and sent copies to …
… about the vars. of Tobacco.' At the end of the year, Darwin seemed resigned to their …
… common man This correspondence with Huxley made Darwin keener than ever to repeat the …
… began writing long, intelligent, and informative letters, Darwin, impressed, gave him the commission …
… ). Two sexual forms: Primula and Linum Darwin’s views on the phenomenon of …
… when crossed with another plant of the reciprocal form. Darwin concluded that the two forms existed …
… (‘Dimorphic condition in Primula ’, p. 92 ( Collected papers 2: 59)). Darwin later recalled: …
… , p. 134). On completion of his Primula paper, Darwin repeated his crosses through a …
… George Bentham at Kew were also tapped for their knowledge. Darwin, initially hopeful, became …
… one by one 6700 seeds of Monochætum!!’ By October, Darwin was flagging and declared to Gray: ‘I am …
… is something very curious to be made out about them.’ Darwin persisted with his experiments through …
… proved more profitable subjects for investigation, and Darwin was soon filling portfolios with notes …
… excited Darwin, who exclaimed to Gray ( letter to Asa Gray, 9 August [1862] ), ‘I am almost stark …
… , whether the Book will sell’ ( letter to John Murray, 9 [February 1862] ). To his son, William, …
… better fun’ than species ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 9 February [1862] ), he responded to the …
… active young wolves’ ( letter from T. H. Huxley, 9 October 1862 ). Darwin had managed to …
… to read any paper or speak’ ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 9 [April 1862] ). A visit in October from …
… me go away for an hour after dinner & retire to my room at 9 o clock I do not think it would …
… William, with the help of his brothers George and Francis , who were staying with him, …
… matters were still greatly valued by those who were. Thomas Francis Jamieson, whose work on the so …
… as true as gospel, so it must be true’ ( to J. D. Hooker, 9 May [1862] ). the real …

Darwin in letters, 1869: Forward on all fronts

Summary

At the start of 1869, Darwin was hard at work making changes and additions for a fifth edition of Origin. He may have resented the interruption to his work on sexual selection and human evolution, but he spent forty-six days on the task. Much of the…

Matches: 28 hits

… At the start of 1869, Darwin was hard at work making changes and additions for a fifth edition of …
… appeared at the end of 1866 and had told his cousin William Darwin Fox, ‘My work will have to stop a …
… material on emotional expression. Yet the scope of Darwin’s interests remained extremely broad, and …
… plants, and earthworms, subjects that had exercised Darwin for decades, and that would continue to …
… Carl von Nägeli and perfectibility Darwin’s most substantial addition to Origin was a …
… a Swiss botanist and professor at Munich (Nägeli 1865). Darwin had considered Nägeli’s paper …
… principal engine of change in the development of species. Darwin correctly assessed Nägeli’s theory …
… in most morphological features (Nägeli 1865, p. 29). Darwin sent a manuscript of his response (now …
… are & must be morphological’. The comment highlights Darwin’s apparent confusion about Nägeli’s …
… ‘purely morphological’. The modern reader may well share Darwin’s uncertainty, but Nägeli evidently …
… by his perfectibility principle (Nägeli 1865, pp. 28–9 ). In further letters, Hooker tried to provide …
… problems of heredity Another important criticism that Darwin sought to address in the fifth …
… prevailing theory of blending inheritance that Jenkin and Darwin both shared, would tend to be lost …
… ( Origin 5th ed., pp. 103–4). The terminology that Darwin and others employed in these matters ( …
… ‘I must have expressed myself atrociously’, Darwin wrote to Alfred Russel Wallace on 2 February , …
… of Origin was the result of correspondence between Darwin and the geologist James Croll. In the …
… but it was his theory of alternate ice ages that piqued Darwin’s interest the most. He wrote, ‘this …
… ( letter to James Croll, 31 January [1869] ). Darwin had argued ( Origin , pp. 377–8) that plant …
… would always exist. In Origin 5th ed., pp. 450–61, Darwin accounted for the survival of tropical …
… hatred—’ ( from Asa Gray and J. L. Gray, 8 and 9 May [1869] ). James Crichton-Browne and …
… of the soil ( letter to Gardeners’ Chronicle , 9 May [1869] ). In March, Darwin received …
… I do not care to follow him’ ( letter from T. H. Farrer, 9 October 1869 ). Farrer ventured to …
… on summit of a mountain.—’ ( letter to T. H. Huxley, 9 July [1869] ). Earlier in the year, …
… of concern were received for months afterwards. Francis Galton: Hereditary genius and …
… Emma read aloud from a new book by Darwin’s half-cousin, Francis Galton. The work, Hereditary …
… is an eminently important difference’ ( letter to Francis Galton, 23 December [1869] ). …
… of inheritance through experiments on rabbits ( letter from Francis Galton, 11 December 1869 ). …
… the first to give me freedom of thought’ ( letter from Francis Galton, 24 December 1869 ). …

Movement in Plants

Summary

The power of movement in plants, published on 7 November 1880, was the final large botanical work that Darwin wrote. It was the only work in which the assistance of one of his children, Francis Darwin, is mentioned on the title page. The research for this…

Matches: 23 hits

… 7 November 1880, was the final large botanical work that Darwin wrote. It was the only work in which …
… about their research while he was away from home. Although Darwin lacked a state of the art research …
… research being pursued by other naturalists who, like Francis , had come to this centre for the study …
… methods and use the most advanced laboratory equipment. Darwin also benefitted from the instrument …
… copied but also improved on some of the apparatuses that Francis had been introduced to at Würzburg. …
… plant physiology, but it was at its core informed by Darwin’s theory of evolution, particularly by …
… early 1860s, at a time when his health was especially bad, Darwin had taken up the study of climbing …
… reproduced as a small book, giving it a much wider audience. Darwin was not the first naturalist to …
… which eventually appeared in 1875. In the same year, Darwin published a much longer work, …
… about the nature of movement, so much so, that at one point Darwin had considered combining the …
… digestive processes. With his final great botanical work, Darwin would attempt ‘ to bring all the …
… emotions had their origins in non-human animal expression. Darwin had not done experimental work in …
… viewed the division between animals and plants as absolute, Darwin was interested in similarities. …
… become adapted to perform new functions, like climbing? For Darwin, physiology was a way of seeing …
… from all over Europe and beyond. When Darwin’s son Francis worked in this laboratory in the summers …
… had also asked Horace to discuss the point with his friend Francis Balfour(258). Darwin promised to …
… of any success. '. Just two months later, Darwin put Francis in charge of this aspect of the …
… more familiar with the research in Sachs’s laboratory as Francis ’s departure for Würzburg was …
… to Wurzburg, & work by myself will be dull work’ . Francis was in Würzburg until early August. …
… good instruments were never far from Darwin’s thinking. Francis viewed the new instruments he was …
… design an improved version of the instrument, a klinostat; Francis later described and illustrated …
… was the relationship between bending movement and growth. Francis described the disagreements about …
… increased turgescence which precedes it ’ was reported by Francis , who added that Sachs ‘ doesn’t …

Darwin in letters,1870: Human evolution

Summary

The year 1870 is aptly summarised by the brief entry Darwin made in his journal: ‘The whole of the year at work on the Descent of Man & Selection in relation to Sex’. Descent was the culmination of over three decades of observations and reflections on…

Matches: 26 hits

… The year 1870 is aptly summarised by the brief entry Darwin made in his journal: ‘The whole of the …
… in relation to Sex’. Always precise in his accounting, Darwin reckoned that he had started writing …
… gathered on each of these topics was far more extensive than Darwin had anticipated. As a result, …
… and St George Jackson Mivart, and heated debates sparked by Darwin’s proposed election to the French …
… Finishing Descent; postponing Expression Darwin began receiving proofs of some of the …
… ( letter to Albert Günther, 13 January [1870] ). Darwin was still working hard on parts of the …
… style, the more grateful I shall be’ ( letter to H. E. Darwin, [8 February 1870] ). She had …
… , the latter when she was just eighteen years of age. Darwin clearly expected her to make a …
… have thought that I shd. turn parson?’ ( letter to H. E. Darwin, [8 February 1870] ). Henrietta …
… so unimportant as the mind of man!’ ( letter from H. E. Darwin, [after 8 February 1870] ). …
… philanthropist Frances Power Cobbe. At Cobbe’s suggestion, Darwin read some of Immanuel Kant’s …
… ( letter to F. P. Cobbe, 23 March [1870?] ). Cobbe accused Darwin of smiling in his beard with …
… as animals: ears Despite Cobbe’s plea, most of Darwin’s scientific attention in 1870 was …
… fairy in Shakespeare’s A midsummer night’s dream. Darwin obtained a sketch of a human ear from …
… of a pointed tip projecting inward from the folded margin. Darwin, who had posed for the sculptor in …
… this volume, letter to Thomas Woolner, 10 March [1870] ). Darwin included Woolner’s sketch in …
… muscles A more troubling anatomical feature for Darwin was the platysma myoides, a band of …
… of fright’, and one of his photographs, later used by Darwin in Expression , showed a man whose …
… furrows radiating on the side of the neck of his son Francis when he was playing the flute. …
… ‘is the bane of existence!’ ( letter to William Ogle, 9 November 1870 ). Researching …
… demons and spirits were white ( letter from W. W. Reade, 9 November 1870 ). Keen for more …
… Darwin received a string of letters from his cousin Francis Galton, reporting on his efforts to …
… by breaking adjacent veins into one’ ( letter from Francis Galton, 25 June 1870 ). Occasionally …
… the latest litters has a white forefoot’ ( letter from Francis Galton, 12 May 1870 ). But in …
… an old fellow as I daresay I appear to you Francis completed his studies at Cambridge, …
… an old fellow as I daresay I appear to you’ ( letter to Francis Darwin, 18 October [1870] ). …

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: 28 hits

… ‘My career’, Darwin wrote towards the end of 1872, ‘is so nearly closed. . . What little more I can …
… of On the origin of species , intended to be Darwin’s last, and of Expression of the …
… books brought a strong if deceptive sense of a job now done: Darwin intended, he declared to Alfred …
… 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 …
… 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 …
… that he would willingly acknowledge himself at fault if only Darwin would renounce `fundamental …
… letter to St G. J. Mivart, 8 January [1872] ). Despite Darwin’s request that he drop the …
… ( letter from St G. J. Mivart, 10 January 1872 ). Darwin, determined to have the last word in …
… 11 January [1872] ). 'I hate controversy,’ Darwin wrote later in the year, possibly with this …
… drawings shortly afterwards ( letter from Samuel Butler to Francis Darwin, [before 30 May 1872] , …
… the claims of spiritualists, and Darwin, through his cousin Francis Galton, had with some interest …
… (letters from John Murray, 6 November [1872] and 9 November 1872 ). Demand seemed likely to …
… however, incorporated in the second edition, produced by Francis Darwin after his father’s death. …
… new name on the list of volunteers: by the beginning of May, Francis Darwin, the Darwins’ third son, …

Darwin in letters, 1871: An emptying nest

Summary

The year 1871 was an extremely busy and productive one for Darwin, with the publication in February of his long-awaited book on human evolution, Descent of man. The other main preoccupation of the year was the preparation of his manuscript on expression.…

Matches: 25 hits

… The year 1871 was an extremely busy and productive one for Darwin, seeing the publication of his …
… book out of my head’. But a large proportion of Darwin’s time for the rest of the year was devoted …
… way, and the initial reception of the book in the press. Darwin fielded numerous letters from …
… offered sharp criticism or even condemnation. Darwin had expected controversy. ‘I shall be …
… a bare-faced manner.”‘ The most lively debate centred on Darwin’s evolutionary account of the …
… taste. Correspondence with his readers and critics helped Darwin to clarify, and in some cases …
… year was the preparation of his manuscript on expression. Darwin continued to investigate the …
… also brought a significant milestone for the family, as Darwin’s eldest daughter Henrietta was …
… during several past years, has been a great amusement’. Darwin had been working fairly continuously …
… work on species theory in the late 1830s. In recent years, Darwin had collected a wealth of material …
… to human evolution was comparatively small, reflecting Darwin’s aim of showing kinship with animals …
… he is “torn to pieces” by people wanting copies’, Darwin wrote to his son Francis on 28 February …
… letter from J. D. Hooker, 26 March 1871 ). The profits for Darwin were considerable. After …
… man.’ Promoting the book As usual, Darwin did his best to obtain a wide and favourable …
… (see Correspondence vol. 19, Appendix IV). Four of Darwin’s five sons received a copy, and his …
… received a special acknowledgment in the form of a gift. Darwin credited her for whatever he had …
… liberal or orthodox. The American philosopher and journalist Francis Ellingwood Abbot incorporated …
… some members of a hive a duty (Cobbe 1871, pp. 174, 188–9 ). Darwin was particularly interested in an …
… of its master. ( Letter from Hensleigh Wedgwood, [3–9 March 1871] .) Some of Darwin’s …
… man & we were the best of friends’, he wrote to his son Francis on 28 February . However, …
… Darwin had been receiving regular reports from his cousin Francis Galton on the progress of …
… in order to facilitate cross-circulation ( letter from Francis Galton, 13 September 1871 ). …
… science ( letter to Horace Darwin, [15 December 1871] ). Francis was now studying medicine at St …
… of Trinity College, planned a trip to America, and invited Francis and two Cambridge friends. Darwin …
… be almost superhuman virtue to give it up’ ( letter to Francis Darwin, 16 May [1871] ). Darwin …

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 …
… ). The death of a Cambridge friend, Albert Way, caused Darwin’s cousin, William Darwin Fox, to …
… 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’ …
… might influence sex ratios ( Descent 2d ed., p. 258 n. 99). The former bishop of Honolulu, Thomas …
… had cost twenty-four shillings.) Murray’s partner, Robert Francis Cooke, informed Darwin that the …
… bad & have done pretty well’ ( letter to Horace Darwin, 9 January [1874] ). Horace came …
… (see G. B. Airy ed. 1881). Darwin’s third son Francis married Amy Ruck, the sister of a …
… work on insectivorous plants. Amy drew a plant and Francis was disappointed that they seemed not to …
… from Cornwall, but Darwin was unwell when it arrived, so Francis worked on the tiny bladders under …
… 1874 , and Correspondence vol. 21, letter from Francis Darwin, [11 October 1873] ). …
… work’ ( letter to D. F. Nevill, 18 September [1874] ).Francis ’s new wife, Amy, drew the plant ( …
… After his wife read Expression , the military surgeon Francis François de Chaumont sent …
… a donation of £100, and £10 each from his sons George and Francis ( letter to Anton Dohrn, 7 March …
… a photograph of the station to be sent to Darwin by Francis Maitland Balfour; Darwin offered to try …
… 6 April 1874 , and letter to Anton Dohrn, 16 April and 9 August 1874 ). Darwin also helped …

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: 27 hits

… Ever since the publication of Expression , Darwin’s research had centred firmly on botany. The …
… of these projects would culminate in a major publication. Darwin’s botany was increasingly a …
… assisted his father’s research on movement and bloom, and Darwin in turn encouraged his son’s own …
… The year 1877 was more than usually full of honours. Darwin received two elaborate photograph albums …
… from Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. Closer to home, Darwin received an honorary Doctorate of …
… sites for possible earthworm activity. Now in his 69th year, Darwin remained remarkably productive, …
… no controversy. In his autobiographical reflections, Darwin remarked: ‘no little discovery of …
… (‘Recollections’, p. 419). During the winter and spring, Darwin was busy preparing the manuscript of …
… and presented to the Linnean Society of London. In the book, Darwin adopted the more recent term …
… as dimorphic without comparing pollen-grains & stigmas’, Darwin remarked to Joseph Dalton …
… measurements of the size and number of pollen-grains, Darwin compared the fertility of individual …
… primrose and purple loosestrife. In the course of his work, Darwin found a number of other …
… dreadful work making out anything about dried flowers’, Darwin complained to Asa Gray on 8 March …
… which include heterstyled species. This pleases me.’. Darwin dedicated the book to Gray, ‘as a small …
… separate publications together into a larger whole enabled Darwin to advance more speculative views …
… In the end, Darwin did not publish on the subject, but Francis later reported some of the results of …
… 25 August 1877 ). At Down House, Darwin and Francis devised a method of recording leaf …
… with thread, card, and bits of glass. Encouraging Francis Darwin greatly enjoyed …
… eminent German botanist Ferdinand Julius Cohn, who confirmed Francis ’s observations: ‘the most …
… Infusoria’ ( letter from F. J. Cohn, 5 August 1877 ). Francis ’s paper eventually appeared in the …
… size. Haeckel sent a personal letter of congratulation on 9 February , expressing some …
… had visited Down House and become friendly with George and Francis . He wrote to Francis on 24 …
… ‘As for “natural selection”’, he wrote to Francis on 25 November , ‘frankly to me it now seems a …
… for he began to receive petitions from strangers. The writer Francis Lloyd, who was in poor health …
… for his further work. Lloyd had written a critique of Francis Galton’s theory of heredity in 1876, …
… will allow me to send you a cheque for £10’ ( letter to [Francis Lloyd], 1 May [1877] ). Another …
… In the end, Darwin made the journey along with Emma. George, Francis , and Horace also attended. The …

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