To R. F. Cooke 12 April 1881
Summary
Agrees that new book [Earthworms] be published on old terms. Hopes it will not fail.
CD is curious to read an essay on evolution by a Hindu, which is being sent to Murray from India.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Robert Francis Cooke; John Murray |
| Date: | 12 Apr 1881 |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms. 42152 ff. 385–6) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-13114 |
From R. F. Cooke 16 June 1874
Summary
In doubt about size of printing of the 2d edition of Descent. Profit on 2000 at 12s would be only £250.
| Author: | Robert Francis Cooke; John Murray |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 16 June 1874 |
| Classmark: | DAR 171: 439 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9493 |
From R. F. Cooke 12 October 1875
Summary
Charge for 500 sets of the heliotype illustrations of Expression is £37 10s 6d.
| Author: | Robert Francis Cooke; John Murray |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 12 Oct 1875 |
| Classmark: | DAR 171: 472 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-10192 |
From R. F. Cooke 12 August 1875
Summary
It would be an advantage to start printing vol. 1 of Variation [2d ed.] at once, if CD can release it. Knotty problem: the number of copies to be printed.
| Author: | Robert Francis Cooke; John Murray |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 12 Aug 1875 |
| Classmark: | DAR 171: 465 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-10116 |
From R. F. Cooke 12 April 1877
Summary
JM will be pleased to publish the new work [Forms of flowers] on the usual terms. MS has been sent to the printer.
| Author: | Robert Francis Cooke; John Murray |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 12 Apr 1877 |
| Classmark: | DAR 171: 487 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-10927 |
From R. F. Cooke 12 October 1877
Summary
Another issue of Origin will be needed for Murray’s annual sale. Has CD any corrections?
| Author: | Robert Francis Cooke; John Murray |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 12 Oct 1877 |
| Classmark: | DAR 171: 492 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-11181 |
To R. F. Cooke 12 January [1871]
Summary
Has no idea about length of index [for Descent]. W. S. Dallas wrote it would take ten days more. Asks how many presentation copies he may have. Lists journals to receive review copies.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Robert Francis Cooke; John Murray |
| Date: | 12 Jan [1871] |
| Classmark: | DAR 143: 274 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-7438 |
From R. F. Cooke 12 March 1869
Summary
Book [Facts and arguments for Darwin] is being bound; it is probably too late to alter lettering.
| Author: | Robert Francis Cooke; John Murray |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 12 Mar 1869 |
| Classmark: | DAR 171: 367 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6659 |
From R. F. Cooke 12 February 1872
Summary
Sends first copy of new [6th] edition of Origin. Expenses have been much higher than estimated because of extensive revisions. 3000 copies retailing at 6s would yield only £100 profit. Suggests fixing price at 7s 6d.
| Author: | Robert Francis Cooke; John Murray |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 12 Feb 1872 |
| Classmark: | DAR 171: 407 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-8209 |
From R. F. Cooke 12 June 1880
Summary
Matters related to Climbing plants
and reprint [1880] of Forms of flowers.
| Author: | Robert Francis Cooke; John Murray |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 12 June 1880 |
| Classmark: | DAR 171: 505 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-12631 |
From R. F. Cooke 12 November 1874
Summary
New edition of Descent just off the press. Murray feels price must be 9s instead of 12s, if it is to sell. This will reduce profit to almost nil.
| Author: | Robert Francis Cooke; John Murray |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 12 Nov 1874 |
| Classmark: | DAR 171: 442 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9717 |
To R. F. Cooke 17 June [1874]
Summary
Hopes a printing of 2000 copies [of Descent, 2d ed.] will be safe. Regrets price must be 12s. He is sure it is much improved.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Robert Francis Cooke; John Murray |
| Date: | 17 June [1874] |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms. 42152 ff. 340–1) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9496 |
From R. F. Cooke 26 April 1871
Summary
Believes heliotype process is best for book illustrations. Has sent copies [of Descent] to Loescher and Carus.
Is working on an estimate for the cheap [6th] edition of the Origin.
The Times review has not hurt sales of Descent.
| Author: | Robert Francis Cooke; John Murray |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 26 Apr 1871 |
| Classmark: | DAR 171: 396 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-7719 |
From R. F. Cooke 23 November 1877
Summary
Two thousand more copies of Origin to be printed. Has CD any corrections to make?
Type for Cross and self-fertilisation, Orchids, and Forms of flowers must now be broken up. If CD does not object, Murray will have stereotypes made of the three works. Asks for any corrections CD may want embodied.
| Author: | Robert Francis Cooke; John Murray |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 23 Nov 1877 |
| Classmark: | DAR 171: 494 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-11250 |
From R. F. Cooke 13 January 1871
Summary
Sends list of journals to be sent review copies of Descent. If CD wants to add others, they will be included. Printing of 2500 copies ordered; retail price 24s.
| Author: | Robert Francis Cooke; John Murray |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 13 Jan 1871 |
| Classmark: | DAR 171: 384 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-7440 |
To R. F. Cooke 20 November 1880
Summary
Likes appearance [of Movement in plants].
The Times review should sell a few more copies.
Thanks Murray for present of volumes by Charles St John [A tour in Sutherlandshire, 2 vols. (1849?)].
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Robert Francis Cooke; John Murray |
| Date: | 20 Nov 1880 |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms. 42152 ff. 380–1) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-12832 |
From R. F. Cooke 17 November 1874
Summary
Booksellers approve of [9s] price for 2d edition of Descent. 1350 copies were sold at annual sale.
| Author: | Robert Francis Cooke; John Murray |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 17 Nov 1874 |
| Classmark: | DAR 171: 443 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9721 |
To R. F. Cooke 7 December [1872]
Summary
Comments on additional printing of Expression. Complains about poor quality of plates.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Robert Francis Cooke; John Murray |
| Date: | 7 Dec [1872] |
| Classmark: | DAR 143: 289 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-8663 |
To R. F. Cooke 27 October [1872]
Summary
Discusses distribution of presentation copies of Expression. Sends instructions for mailing his copies. Discusses negotiations with C. Reinwald concerning French edition. Suggests journals to receive review copies.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Robert Francis Cooke; John Murray |
| Date: | 27 Oct [1872] |
| Classmark: | DAR 143: 287 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-8581 |
| letter | (19) |
| Cooke, R. F. | (13) |
| John Murray | (13) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (6) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (13) |
| Cooke, R. F. | (6) |
| John Murray | (6) |
| Cooke, R. F. | |
| Darwin, C. R. | (19) |
| John Murray | (19) |
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: 1 hits
- … Below is a list of Darwin's correspondents with the number of letters for each one. Click …
John Murray
Summary
Darwin's most famous book On the origin of species by means of natural selection (Origin) was published on 22 November 1859. The publisher was John Murray, who specialised in non-fiction, particularly politics, travel and science, and had published…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Darwin's most famous book On the origin of species by means of natural selection (Origin) was …
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, 1865: Delays and disappointments
Summary
The year was marked by three deaths of personal significance to Darwin: Hugh Falconer, a friend and supporter; Robert FitzRoy, captain of the Beagle; and William Jackson Hooker, director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and father of Darwin’s friend…
Matches: 1 hits
- … In 1865, the chief work on Charles Darwin’s mind was the writing of The variation of animals and …
Darwin in letters, 1872: Job done?
Summary
'My career’, Darwin wrote towards the end of 1872, 'is so nearly closed. . . What little more I can do, shall be chiefly new work’, and the tenor of his correspondence throughout the year is one of wistful reminiscence, coupled with a keen eye…
Matches: 1 hits
- … ‘My career’, Darwin wrote towards the end of 1872, ‘is so nearly closed. . . What little more I …
Darwin in letters, 1867: A civilised dispute
Summary
Charles Darwin’s major achievement in 1867 was the completion of his large work, The variation of animals and plants under domestication (Variation). The importance of Darwin’s network of correspondents becomes vividly apparent in his work on expression in…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Charles Darwin’s major achievement in 1867 was the completion of his large work, The …
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, 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: 1 hits
- … I am merely slaving over the sickening work of preparing new Editions …
Darwin's in letters, 1873: Animal or vegetable?
Summary
Having laboured for nearly five years on human evolution, sexual selection, and the expression of emotions, Darwin was able to devote 1873 almost exclusively to his beloved plants. He resumed work on the digestive powers of sundews and Venus fly traps, and…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Having laboured for nearly five years on human evolution, sexual selection, and the expression of …
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 …
1.2 George Richmond, marriage portrait
Summary
< Back to Introduction Few likenesses of Darwin in his youth survive, although more may once have existed. In a letter of 1873 an old Shrewsbury friend, Arthur Mostyn Owen, offered to send Darwin a watercolour sketch of him, painted many years…
Matches: 1 hits
- … < Back to Introduction Few likenesses of Darwin in his youth survive, although more …
Darwin in letters, 1881: Old friends and new admirers
Summary
In May 1881, Darwin, one of the best-known celebrities in England if not the world, began writing about all the eminent men he had met. He embarked on this task, which formed an addition to his autobiography, because he had nothing else to do. He had…
Matches: 1 hits
- … In May 1881, Darwin, one of the best-known celebrities in England if not the world, began …
Cross and self fertilisation
Summary
The effects of cross and self fertilisation in the vegetable kingdom, published on 10 November 1876, was the result of a decade-long project to provide evidence for Darwin’s belief that ‘‘Nature thus tells us, in the most emphatic manner, that she abhors…
Matches: 1 hits
- … The effects of cross and self fertilisation in the vegetable kingdom , published on 10 November …
Darwin in letters, 1863: Quarrels at home, honours abroad
Summary
At the start of 1863, Charles Darwin was actively working on the manuscript of The variation of animals and plants under domestication, anticipating with excitement the construction of a hothouse to accommodate his increasingly varied botanical experiments…
Matches: 1 hits
- … At the start of 1863, Charles Darwin was actively working on the manuscript of The variation of …
The Lyell–Lubbock dispute
Summary
In May 1865 a dispute arose between John Lubbock and Charles Lyell when Lubbock, in his book Prehistoric times, accused Lyell of plagiarism. The dispute caused great dismay among many of their mutual scientific friends, some of whom took immediate action…
Matches: 1 hits
- … In May 1865 a dispute arose between John Lubbock and Charles Lyell when Lubbock, in his book …
Darwin in letters, 1858-1859: Origin
Summary
The years 1858 and 1859 were, without doubt, the most momentous of Darwin’s life. From a quiet rural existence filled with steady work on his ‘big book’ on species, he was jolted into action by the arrival of an unexpected letter from Alfred Russel Wallace…
Matches: 1 hits
- … The years 1858 and 1859 were, without doubt, the most momentous of Darwin’s life. From a quiet …
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: 1 hits
- … If I lived 20 more years, & was able to work, how I sh d . have to modify the “Origin”, & …
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 …
St George Jackson Mivart
Summary
In the second half of 1874, Darwin’s peace was disturbed by an anonymous article in the Quarterly Review suggesting that his son George was opposed to the institution of marriage and in favour of ‘unrestrained licentiousness’. Darwin suspected, correctly,…
Matches: 1 hits
- … In 1874, the Catholic zoologist St George Jackson Mivart caused Darwin and his son George serious …
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: 1 hits
- … At the start of 1869, Darwin was hard at work making changes and additions for a fifth edition of …
