From W. C. Redfield 6 May 1840
Summary
Thanks CD for information about Captain Tillard’s account of the volcanic eruption in the Azores in 1811.
| Author: | William C. Redfield |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 6 May 1840 |
| Classmark: | Yale University: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library (William C. Redfield’s outbound letter book 1835–41 (z117 00151 2), pp. 179–80) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-565H |
To Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce 13 May [1840–2]
Summary
Informs correspondent that he wrote to William Walton all that he knew about the guanaco.
Present state of his health prevents his acceptance of invitation to attend the meeting of the Society.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Royal Society of Arts |
| Date: | 13 May [1840-2] |
| Classmark: | Royal Society of Arts (RSA/PR/MC/104/10/28) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-567 |
To A. Y. Spearman 20 May 1840
Summary
The fourth number of part one of the Zoology has now been published. The Smith, Elder & Co. account is submitted.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Alexander Young Spearman, 1st baronet |
| Date: | 20 May 1840 |
| Classmark: | The National Archives (TNA) (T1/4524 paper 25824) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-568A |
To A. Y. Spearman 16 January 1840
Summary
Presents the Smith, Elder & Co. account for the first number of the fourth part (now published) of the Zoology.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Alexander Young Spearman, 1st baronet |
| Date: | 16 Jan 1840 |
| Classmark: | The National Archives (TNA) (T1/4524 paper 25824) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-550A |
To W. C. Redfield 24 February [1840]
Summary
Much interested in WCR’s paper on "Whirlwinds excited by fire" [Am. J. Sci. 36 (1839): 50–9; Edinburgh New Philos. J. 27 (1839): 369–79].
Sends a summary account of circular clouds and waterspouts formed during volcanic eruption in the Azores [S. Tillard, "Eruption of a volcano in sea off St Michael", Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. (1812): 152–8].
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William C. Redfield |
| Date: | 24 Feb [1840] |
| Classmark: | Yale University: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library (Letters to William C. Redfield vol. 2 Scientific 1831-41 (z117 00151 2) pp. 335–8) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-556 |
To T. C. Eyton [6 January 1840]
Summary
Has been unwell.
Thanks TCE for his descriptions [of specimens for Birds]. Has already expended a high proportion of Government grant on birds, but if TCE thinks engravings are needed, he shall have them. He may keep the bones.
CD has become a father.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Thomas Campbell Eyton |
| Date: | [6 Jan 1840] |
| Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.20) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-549 |
To W. A. Leighton 1 December 1840
Summary
Acknowledges election as Honorary Member of Shropshire and North Wales Natural History and Antiquarian Society.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Allport Leighton |
| Date: | 1 Dec 1840 |
| Classmark: | Shropshire Archives (SA 6001/133/57) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-584 |
To Robert FitzRoy [20 February 1840]
Summary
Poor health has made him give up all geological work.
Profits on their volumes [of Narrative] seem absurdly small.
Looks back on Beagle voyage as the most fortunate circumstance in his life.
Finds marriage a great happiness.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Robert FitzRoy |
| Date: | [20 Feb 1840] |
| Classmark: | DAR 144: 117 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-555 |
Matches: 2 hits
- … 12 Upper Gower S t . Thursday 21 st . My dear FitzRoy. I was very glad to receive your long letter— …
- … letter from Catherine and Susan Darwin, 4 December [1825]) but neither gives clear evidence of serious stomach trouble of the sort frequently mentioned by CD after 1839. Henry Colburn , publisher of the Narrative and Journal of researches. No record of a paper by Whewell that answers this description has been found in the minutes of the Cambridge Philosophical Society. The Report of the 9th meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science held at Birmingham in 1839, Transactions of the sections, pp. 11–12 …
To G. N. Smith 20 November [1840]
Summary
Sorry that ill health prevented sooner reply. Letter about caves at Caldy was already read by Buckland. Will examine birds’ beaks when better and present to Geological Society of London in Smith’s name.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Gilbert Nicholas Smith |
| Date: | 20 Nov [1840] |
| Classmark: | Angus Carroll (private collection) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-580F |
Matches: 1 hit
- … 12 Upper Gower St Friday Nov. 20 th Dear Sir I have been prevented by continued illness from sooner acknowledging your very obliging communication. I have now, I am very sorry to say, to make you many apologies for having given you much trouble in vain, for I find that on June 10 th (after I had left town owing to my state of health) a letter …
To the Geological Society of London 28 March [1840]
Summary
Feels he has no choice but to comply with the request of Council that he remain in office. Is reluctant to do so as his health has caused him to miss meetings and he has never once attended without suffering the next day. Cannot hold office beyond next anniversary meeting.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Geological Society of London |
| Date: | 28 Mar [1840] |
| Classmark: | Geological Society of London (GSL/L/R/5/56) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-562 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … 12 Upper Gower St Saturday Morn. | March 28 th . — My dear Sir I feel that I have no choice in complying with the request of the Council, which you have communicated to me in so very kind a manner, of remaining in the office, which at present I have the honour to hold. — I confess, however, it is with considerable reluctance, that I do this. Since receiving your letter, …
From Charles Maclaren to Thomas Walker 30 March 1840
Summary
CD has asked CM whether he can supply William Kemp’s address, and CM passes the enquiry to TW.
| Author: | Charles Maclaren |
| Addressee: | Thomas Walker |
| Date: | 30 Mar 1840 |
| Classmark: | Cambridge University Library (MS Add. 10252/1) (gift of Ruth Cramond and David Cramond) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-562G |
Matches: 1 hit
- … letter from Mr Charles Darwin Naturalist to the late expedition to the Southern hemisphere stating that he has felt great interest in Mr Kemps notice of Terraces on the Eildon Hills and desiring me to procure him Mr Kemps Address that he may send him a copy of his paper on Glenroy and put some queries to him. Not knowing whether Mr Kemp resides in Galashiels I send this note to you. Will you be so good as furnish him with Mr Kemps Address. Mr Darwin resides at N o 12 …
| letter | (11) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (9) |
| Maclaren, Charles | (1) |
| Redfield, W. C. | (1) |
| Spearman, A. Y. | (2) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (1) |
| Eyton, T. C. | (1) |
| FitzRoy, Robert | (1) |
| Geological Society of London | (1) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (10) |
| Redfield, W. C. | (2) |
| Spearman, A. Y. | (2) |
| Eyton, T. C. | (1) |
| FitzRoy, Robert | (1) |
Lost in translation: From Auguste Forel, 12 November 1874
Summary
You receive a gift from your scientific hero Charles Darwin. It is a book that contains sections on your favourite topic—ants. If only you had paid attention when your mother tried to teach you English you might be able to read it. But you didn’t, and you…
Matches: 1 hits
- … You receive a gift from your scientific hero Charles Darwin. It is a book that contains sections …
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, 1879: Tracing roots
Summary
Darwin spent a considerable part of 1879 in the eighteenth century. His journey back in time started when he decided to publish a biographical account of his grandfather Erasmus Darwin to accompany a translation of an essay on Erasmus’s evolutionary ideas…
Matches: 1 hits
- … There are summaries of all Darwin's letters from the year 1879 on this website. The full texts of …
Darwin’s hothouse and lists of hothouse plants
Summary
Darwin became increasingly involved in botanical experiments in the years after the publication of Origin. The building of a small hothouse - a heated greenhouse - early in 1863 greatly increased the range of plants that he could keep for scientific…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Towards the end of 1862, Darwin resolved to build a small hothouse at Down House, for …
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, 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'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 …
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 …
Women’s scientific participation
Summary
Observers | Fieldwork | Experimentation | Editors and critics | Assistants Darwin’s correspondence helps bring to light a community of women who participated, often actively and routinely, in the nineteenth-century scientific community. Here is a…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Observers | Fieldwork | Experimentation | Editors and critics | Assistants …
German and Dutch photograph albums
Summary
Darwin Day 2018: To celebrate Darwin's 209th birthday, we present two lavishly produced albums of portrait photographs which Darwin received from continental admirers 141 years ago. These unusual gifts from Germany and the Netherlands are made…
Matches: 1 hits
- … In 1877, Charles Darwin was sent some unusual birthday presents: two lavishly …
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 in letters, 1878: Movement and sleep
Summary
In 1878, Darwin devoted most of his attention to the movements of plants. He investigated the growth pattern of roots and shoots, studying the function of specific organs in this process. Working closely with his son Francis, Darwin devised a series of…
Matches: 1 hits
- … I think we have proved that the sleep of plants is to lessen injury to leaves from radiation …
Darwin in letters, 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 …
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, 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, 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 …
Diagrams and drawings in letters
Summary
Over 850 illustrations from the printed volumes of The Correspondence of Charles Darwin have been added to the online transcripts of the letters. The contents include maps, diagrams, drawings, sketches and photographs, covering geological, botanical,…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Over 850 illustrations from the printed volumes of The Correspondence of Charles Darwin have …
Darwin in letters, 1847-1850: Microscopes and barnacles
Summary
Darwin's study of barnacles, begun in 1844, took him eight years to complete. The correspondence reveals how his interest in a species found during the Beagle voyage developed into an investigation of the comparative anatomy of other cirripedes and…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Species theory In November 1845, Charles Darwin wrote to his friend and confidant Joseph …
Darwin’s queries on expression
Summary
When Darwin resumed systematic research on emotions around 1866, he began to collect observations more widely and composed a list of queries on human expression. A number of handwritten copies were sent out in 1867 (see, for example, letter to Fritz Muller…
Matches: 1 hits
- … When Darwin resumed systematic research on emotions around 1866, he began to collect observations …
