skip to content

Darwin Correspondence Project

Search: contains "1881"

Darwin Correspondence Project
Search:
1881 in keywords disabled_by_default
Darwin, W. E. in author disabled_by_default
31 Items
Sorted by:  
Page: 1 2  Next

From W. E. Darwin   30 January [1881]

Summary

Discusses his election to the Geological Society, worm researches, GHD’s travels, investments,G J Romanes on Samuel Butler, the snow, politics.

Author:  William Erasmus Darwin
Addressee:  Charles Robert Darwin
Date:  30 Jan [1881]
Classmark:  Cornford Family Papers (DAR 275: 87)
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-13033F

Matches: 17 hits

  • … From W. E. Darwin   30 January [1881] …
  • … DAR 275: 87) William Erasmus Darwin Southampton 30 Jan [1881] Charles Robert Darwin …
  • … during the third week of January, see, for example, The Times , 17 January 1881, p. …
  • … 12, and 24 January 1881, p. 10. …
  • … committee in Southampton ( Southampton Herald , 22 January 1881, p. 4). Elizabeth Darwin . …
  • … campaign and the Irish American impetus for dynamite terror, 1881–1885. Inquiries 3: 1. …
  • … letter to W. E. Darwin, 25 January 1881 . CD had collected signatures for a certificate …
  • … of the Geological Society of London (see letter to W. E. Darwin, 25 January 1881 ). …
  • … William was elected on 9 March 1881 ( Proceedings of the Geological Society of London 37 ( …
  • … 1880–1): 236). See letter to W. E. Darwin, 25 January 1881 and n. 2. See letter …
  • … to W. E. Darwin, 25 January 1881 and n. 3. George Howard Darwin . …
  • … See letter to W. E. Darwin, 25 January 1881 and n. 4. William had suggested buying shares …
  • … Dock Company (see letter from W. E. Darwin, 1 January [1881] , and letter to W. …
  • … were published in The Times , 29 January 1881, p. 9. Henrietta Emma and Richard Buckley …
  • … E. Darwin, 3 January [1881] ). George John Romanes ’s review of Samuel …
  • … was published in Nature , 27 January 1881, pp. 285–7; Ernst Krause ’s reply to Butler was …
  • … letter to W. E. Darwin, 25 January 1881 ). Sara Darwin . John Bright was a member of the …

From W. E. Darwin   [13 October 1881]

Summary

Discusses division of Trust. Is concerned Bessy’s portion will be smaller than Henrietta's. Had a pleasant visit in Cambridge. There is a clerical error in the division of CD’s property.

Author:  William Erasmus Darwin
Addressee:  Charles Robert Darwin
Date:  [13 Oct 1881]
Classmark:  Cornford Family Papers (DAR 275: 103)
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-13340G

Matches: 14 hits

  • … From W. E. Darwin   [13 October 1881] …
  • … DAR 275: 103) William Erasmus Darwin Leith Hill Place [13 Oct 1881] Charles Robert Darwin …
  • … The date is established by 13 October 1881 being the only Thursday between William …
  • … going to Cambridge on 8 October 1881 (see letter from W. …
  • … E. Darwin, [7 October 1881] and n. …
  • … 2) and his letter of 20 October 1881 , when he writes from home. William had asked …
  • … CD’s property in his letter of [7 October 1881] . He had calculated CD’s financial status …
  • … see letter to G. H. Darwin, 8 September [1881] ), but later, worried that he might have …
  • … Darwin to H. E. Litchfield, 2 October [1881] (DAR 219.9: 273)). Pearce had also been a …
  • … touch with the Darwins. On 13 September 1881, Emma Darwin wrote in a letter to Henrietta …
  • … see letter from G. H. Darwin, 15 October 1881 and n. 6). On 7 January 1882, CD recorded a …
  • … see letter from W. E. Darwin, [7 October 1881] ). William was looking at a later version …
  • … the letter to the Darwin children, 16 September 1881 . Elizabeth Darwin and Henrietta Emma …
  • … to the Darwin children, 16 September 1881 ). Elizabeth Pearce was Erasmus Alvey Darwin ’s …

From W. E. Darwin   [16 January 1881]

Summary

Thanks CD for writing for papers to enter Geological Society. Will return Leslie Stephen’s letter. Has had a severe frost. Emma’s puppy died.

Author:  William Erasmus Darwin
Addressee:  Charles Robert Darwin
Date:  [16 Jan 1881]
Classmark:  Cornford Family Papers (DAR 275: 100)
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-13023F

Matches: 12 hits

  • … From W. E. Darwin   [16 January 1881] …
  • … 275: 100) William Erasmus Darwin Basset, Southampton [16 Jan 1881] Charles Robert Darwin …
  • … Leonard next visited Down on 5 and 6 February 1881. Robert Chatfield Hankinson was partner …
  • … Christmas ( letter from Emma Darwin to Sara Darwin, [13 January 1881] (DAR 219.1: 140)). …
  • … the relationship between this letter and the letter to W. E. Darwin, 14 January [1881] . …
  • … The Sunday following 14 January 1881 was 16 January. See letter to W. …
  • … E. Darwin, 14 January [1881] ; CD was preparing a certificate for William’s application …
  • … See letter to W. E. Darwin, 14 January [1881] and n. 5. CD was trying to determine whether …
  • … to reply to Samuel Butler (see letter to Leslie Stephen, 11 January 1881 , and letter from …
  • … Leslie Stephen, 12 January [1881] ). Leonard Darwin had suggested adding an errata sheet …
  • … see letter from Leonard Darwin to Leslie Stephen, [10 January 1881] ). Leonard was ill in …
  • … Emma Darwin to Sara Darwin, [13 January 1881] (DAR 219.1: 140)). According to Emma Darwin’ …

From W. E. Darwin   [24 April 1881]

Summary

Sends observations of wormcasts at Malvern. Describes stay at Abinger.

Author:  William Erasmus Darwin
Addressee:  Charles Robert Darwin
Date:  [24 Apr 1881]
Classmark:  Cornford Family Papers (DAR 275: 102)
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-13141G

Matches: 13 hits

  • … From W. E. Darwin   [24 April 1881] …
  • … 275: 102) William Erasmus Darwin Abinger Hall, Dorking [24 Apr 1881] Charles Robert Darwin …
  • … a second letter to The Times , 21 April [1881] , in response to Cobbe's letter, ignoring …
  • … By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1881. Frankel, Oz. 2004. Blue books and the …
  • … and the letter to The Times , 21 April [1881] (see n. 7, below), and the fact that 24 …
  • … and Ida Darwin left Down on 19 April 1881 (see n. 5, below). There are several parallel …
  • … see letter from W. E. Darwin, [13 March 1881] and n. 4; letter from Emma Darwin to G. …
  • … H. Darwin, 16 March 1881 (DAR 210.3: 5)). William was assisting CD with his observations …
  • … see letter to W. E. Darwin, 19 February [1881] . Syenite, an intrusive igneous rock, is …
  • … Emma Darwin to G. H. Darwin, [16 April 1881] (DAR 210.3: 8)). Ida was Thomas Henry Farrer’ …
  • … Emma Darwin to G. H. Darwin, 31 January 1881 (DAR 210.3: 2)). William lived in Bassett, …
  • … Power Cobbe had published a letter in The Times , 19 April 1881, p. 8, to contradict CD’ …
  • … s claim in his letter to The Times , 18 April 1881, that a Royal Commission on vivisection …

From W. E. Darwin   21 November 1881

Summary

Financial matters; executing EAD’s will; pleased to hear news about Prof. Challis.

Author:  William Erasmus Darwin
Addressee:  Charles Robert Darwin
Date:  21 Nov 1881
Classmark:  Cornford Family Papers (DAR 275: 96)
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-13497F

Matches: 8 hits

  • … From W. E. Darwin   21 November 1881
  • … Papers (DAR 275: 96) William Erasmus Darwin Southampton 21 Nov 1881 Charles Robert Darwin …
  • … visited the Darwins at Down on 3 December 1881; Joseph Dalton Hooker and Hyacinth Hooker …
  • … present ( letter from Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield, 4 December 1881 (DAR 219.9: 279)). …
  • … letter to W. E. Darwin, 13 September [1881] ). The lawyers handling the estate were George …
  • … see letter from G. H. Darwin, [29 August 1881]) . William and Sara Darwin came to Down on …
  • … Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield, 4 December 1881 (DAR 219.9: 279)). George was planning to …
  • … James Challis ’s death (see letter from G. H. Darwin, 17 November 1881 ). William Graham …

From W. E. Darwin   4 February 1881

Summary

Discusses possible investments.

Author:  William Erasmus Darwin
Addressee:  Charles Robert Darwin
Date:  4 Feb 1881
Classmark:  Cornford Family Papers (DAR 275: 89)
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-13035G

Matches: 5 hits

  • … From W. E. Darwin   4 February 1881
  • … Papers (DAR 275: 89) William Erasmus Darwin Southampton 4 Feb 1881 Charles Robert Darwin …
  • … see letter to W. E. Darwin, 31 January [1881] ). Erasmus Alvey Darwin . See to letter …
  • … to W. E. Darwin, [27 February 1881] and n. 2. See letter …
  • … from W. E. Darwin, 3 February [1881] . …

From W. E. Darwin   [13 March 1881]

Summary

Cannot write so is using Lily as secretary. Proud to be member of Geological Society. Sends observations of rhododendron leaves. Could not find piece of ploughed land. Has proved Josiah Wedgwood III’s death in North Eastern Railway Company. Taking care because head hurts.

Author:  William Erasmus Darwin
Addressee:  Charles Robert Darwin
Date:  [13 Mar 1881]
Classmark:  Cornford Family Papers (DAR 275: 101)
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-13141F

Matches: 9 hits

  • … From W. E. Darwin   [13 March 1881] …
  • … William Erasmus Darwin Ridgemount, Basset, Southampton [13 Mar 1881] Charles Robert Darwin …
  • … reads, ‘William in letter dated March 13 1881 says he has looked at 29 more Rhododendron …
  • … see letter to W. E. Darwin, 25 January 1881 ). For more on CD’s interest in rhododendron …
  • … See letter to W. E. Darwin, [27 February 1881] . William was probably authorising the …
  • … William was Josiah’s executor. On 15 March 1881, CD recorded a payment under the heading ‘ …
  • … leaves, see the letter from W. E. Darwin, 3 February [1881] and nn. 3 and 4. …
  • … a letter to George Howard Darwin , 7 March 1881 (DAR 251: 1002) mentioned that William had …
  • … least stunned’. In a letter of 16 March 1881 (DAR 210.3: 5), Emma mentioned that William …

From W. E. Darwin   6 February 1881

Summary

Reports his observations on numbers of Rhododendron leaves found buried [by earthworms].

Author:  William Erasmus Darwin
Addressee:  Charles Robert Darwin
Date:  6 Feb 1881
Classmark:  DAR 162: 112/1
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-13039

Matches: 7 hits

  • … From W.  E.  Darwin   6 February 1881
  • … DAR 162: 112/1 William Erasmus Darwin Bassett 6 Feb 1881 Charles Robert Darwin …
  • … of worms: with observations on their habits. By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1881. …
  • … Charles Darwin ’, La Nature , 29 January 1881, pp. 138–9. This review was a translation ( …
  • … see letter to W.  E.  Darwin, 4 February [1881] and n. 5). The numerators ‘68’ and ‘32’ …
  • … letter to W.  E.  Darwin, 4 February [1881] ). Rhododendrons were useful for testing worm …
  • … Ridgemount, | Basset, | Southampton. Feb.  6 th 1881 | Sunday My dear Father, I have just …

From W. E. Darwin   6 January 1881

Summary

Passes on legal advice.

Author:  William Erasmus Darwin
Addressee:  Charles Robert Darwin
Date:  6 Jan 1881
Classmark:  Cornford Family Papers (DAR 275: 85)
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-12980F

Matches: 7 hits

  • … From W. E. Darwin   6 January 1881
  • … Papers (DAR 275: 85) William Erasmus Darwin Southampton 6 Jan 1881 Charles Robert Darwin …
  • … CD made a new will, dated 27 September 1881, in which he appointed his two eldest sons at …
  • … Dock Company (see letter from W. E. Darwin, 1 January [1881] , and letter to W. …
  • … E. Darwin, 3 January [1881] ); the person in whose name the shares were to be purchased …
  • … letter to the Darwin children, 3 January 1881 . CD’s honorary diplomas are in the Darwin …
  • … found; in CD’s will dated 27 September 1881, he bequeathed his family portraits, family …

From W. E. Darwin   13 January [1881]

Summary

He is buying a portable fire engine, and suggests one is purchased for Down. Wishes to join the Geological Society of London. Is eager to hear Leslie Stephen’s opinion.

Author:  William Erasmus Darwin
Addressee:  Charles Robert Darwin
Date:  13 Jan [1881]
Classmark:  Cornford Family Papers (DAR 275: 86)
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-13010F

Matches: 6 hits

  • … From W. E. Darwin   13 January [1881] …
  • … DAR 275: 86) William Erasmus Darwin Southampton 13 Jan [1881] Charles Robert Darwin …
  • … By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1881. Freeman, Richard Broke. 1978. Charles …
  • … and the letter to Leslie Stephen, 11 January 1881 (see n. 4, below). The ‘London Brigade’ …
  • … to reply to Samuel Butler (see letter to Leslie Stephen, 11 January 1881 , and letter from …
  • … Leslie Stephen, 12 January [1881] ). CD had asked William to examine worm burrows for the …

From W. E. Darwin   1 January [1881]

Summary

Discusses possible investments.

Author:  William Erasmus Darwin
Addressee:  Charles Robert Darwin
Date:  1 Jan [1881]
Classmark:  Cornford Family Papers (DAR 275: 75)
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-12392G

Matches: 6 hits

  • … From W. E. Darwin   1 January [1881] …
  • … Papers (DAR 275: 75) William Erasmus Darwin Southampton 1 Jan [1881] Charles Robert Darwin …
  • … bonds in 1852; these were sold in January 1881 for £2044 5 s . 5 d . (CD’s Investment …
  • … Mortgage Bonds’ for £1980 in January 1881 (CD’s Account books–banking account (Down House …
  • … 2 per cent; he purchased more in December 1881 (CD’s Investment book (Down House MS), pp. …
  • … Company ( Roussel 2009 , pp. 12, 17). The notes are for CD’s reply of 3 January [1881] . …

From W. E. Darwin   18 February 1881

Summary

Discusses the possible rebuilding of a pair of cottages on CD’s farm at Beesby, Lincolnshire.

Author:  William Erasmus Darwin
Addressee:  Charles Robert Darwin
Date:  18 Feb 1881
Classmark:  Cornford Family Papers (DAR 275: 91)
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-13055F

Matches: 6 hits

  • … From W. E. Darwin   18 February 1881
  • … Papers (DAR 275: 91) William Erasmus Darwin Southampton 18 Feb 1881 Charles Robert Darwin …
  • … See letter from W. E. Darwin, 16 February 1881 . …
  • … On 17 February 1881, CD recorded a payment of £994 6 s. 6 d. to Willam for ‘Leeds …
  • … letter from W. E. Darwin, 16 February 1881 ). CD’s letter has not been found. John Higgins …
  • … of Beesby (Census returns of England and Wales 1881 (The National Archives: Public Record …

From W. E. Darwin   7 May 1881

Summary

Discusses possible investments.

Author:  William Erasmus Darwin
Addressee:  Charles Robert Darwin
Date:  7 May 1881
Classmark:  Cornford Family Papers (DAR 275: 92)
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-13148F

Matches: 4 hits

  • … From W. E. Darwin   7 May 1881
  • … Papers (DAR 275: 92) William Erasmus Darwin Southampton 7 May 1881 Charles Robert Darwin …
  • … See letter to W. E. Darwin, 4 May [1881] . In the event, CD left $14,000 (about £3000) …
  • … s wife. On William’s health, see the letter to W. E. Darwin, 4 May [1881] and n. 1. …

From W. E. Darwin   3 February [1881]

Summary

Worm observations.

Author:  William Erasmus Darwin
Addressee:  Charles Robert Darwin
Date:  3 Feb [1881]
Classmark:  Cornford Family Papers (DAR 275: 88)
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-13035F

Matches: 6 hits

  • … From W. E. Darwin   3 February [1881] …
  • … DAR 275: 88) William Erasmus Darwin Basset, Southampton 3 Feb [1881] Charles Robert Darwin …
  • … of worms: with observations on their habits. By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1881. …
  • … and the letter from W. E. Darwin, 4 February 1881 . This was a collection of leaves that …
  • … see letter to W. E. Darwin, 31 January [1881] ). William marked one end of the leaves with …
  • … see letter to W. E. Darwin, 14 January [1881] ). CD had observed that worms usually drew …

From W. E. Darwin   1 November 1881

Summary

Requests a list of CD’s trust securities; he and Sara have finished Worms; asks what he should do with dividend warrant.

Author:  William Erasmus Darwin
Addressee:  Charles Robert Darwin
Date:  1 Nov 1881
Classmark:  Cornford Family Papers (DAR 275: 95)
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-13445F

Matches: 5 hits

  • … From W. E. Darwin   1 November 1881
  • … Papers (DAR 275: 95) William Erasmus Darwin Southampton 1 Nov 1881 Charles Robert Darwin …
  • … By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1881. Post Office London directory : Post-Office …
  • … s will. Erasmus had died on 26 August 1881 (CD’s ‘Journal’ (Appendix II)). Erasmus and CD …
  • … were in Cambridge from 20 to 27 October 1881 (CD’s ‘Journal’ (Appendix II)). Sara Darwin ; …

From W. E. Darwin   16 February 1881

Summary

Brokers have purchased Leeds Corporation Stock.

Author:  William Erasmus Darwin
Addressee:  Charles Robert Darwin
Date:  16 Feb 1881
Classmark:  Cornford Family Papers (DAR 275: 90)
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-13054F

Matches: 3 hits

  • … From W. E. Darwin   16 February 1881
  • … Papers (DAR 275: 90) William Erasmus Darwin Southampton 16 Feb 1881 Charles Robert Darwin …
  • … Bonds be bought for Erasmus Alvey Darwin (see letter from W. E. Darwin, 4 February 1881 ). …

From W. E. Darwin   20 October [1881]

Summary

Thanks for Worms.

Author:  William Erasmus Darwin
Addressee:  Charles Robert Darwin
Date:  20 Oct [1881]
Classmark:  Cornford Family Papers (DAR 275: 94)
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-13416F

Matches: 5 hits

  • … From W. E. Darwin   20 October [1881] …
  • … DAR 275: 94) William Erasmus Darwin Southampton 20 Oct [1881] Charles Robert Darwin …
  • … The Darwins visited Cambridge from 20 to 27 October 1881 (CD’s ‘Journal’ (Appendix II). …
  • … By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1881. Freeman, Richard Broke. 1977. The works of …
  • … Earthworms , which was published on 10 October 1881 ( Freeman 1977 ). William’s name is on …

From W. E. Darwin   9 December 1881

Summary

Financial paperwork; pleased at news of Horace and Ida Darwin’s baby, Erasmus.

Author:  William Erasmus Darwin
Addressee:  Charles Robert Darwin
Date:  9 Dec 1881
Classmark:  Cornford Family Papers (DAR 275: 98)
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-13541F

Matches: 5 hits

  • … From W. E. Darwin   9 December 1881
  • … Papers (DAR 275: 98) William Erasmus Darwin Southampton 9 Dec 1881 Charles Robert Darwin …
  • … Erasmus Alvey Darwin (see letter to W. E. Darwin, 13 September [1881] ). The rent paid …
  • … prior to Erasmus’s death on 26 August 1881 went into the account being administered by his …
  • … Erasmus Darwin , born on 7 December 1881 ( Freeman 1978 ), was the first child of Horace …

From W. E. Darwin   23 May 1881

Summary

Discusses possible investments.

Author:  William Erasmus Darwin
Addressee:  Charles Robert Darwin
Date:  23 May 1881
Classmark:  Cornford Family Papers (DAR 275: 93)
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-13170G

Matches: 5 hits

  • … From W. E. Darwin   23 May 1881
  • … Papers (DAR 275: 93) William Erasmus Darwin Southampton 23 May 1881 Charles Robert Darwin …
  • … see letter to W. E. Darwin, 4 May [1881] ). William had been suggesting alternative …
  • … see letter to W. E. Darwin, 20 May [1881] and n. 2). CD’s bank was the Union Bank , …
  • … see letter from W. E. Darwin, [13 March 1881] and n. 4). Sara Darwin was William’s wife. …

From W. E. Darwin   [7 October 1881]

Summary

Asks for two property valuations. Is afraid he has made a mistake in CD’s property settlements.

Author:  William Erasmus Darwin
Addressee:  Charles Robert Darwin
Date:  [7 Oct 1881]
Classmark:  Cornford Family Papers (DAR 275: 104)
Letter no:  DCP-LETT-13325F

Matches: 5 hits

  • … From W. E. Darwin   [7 October 1881] …
  • … Darwin 6 Queen Anne St, Cavendish Square, London [7 Oct 1881] Charles Robert Darwin …
  • … Darwin to H. E. Litchfield, [9 October 1881] (DAR 219.9: 275)). This is the money settled …
  • … trip to Cambridge (see n. 2, below). In 1881, 7 October fell on a Friday. CD had asked …
  • … letter to G. H. Darwin, 8 September [1881] ). William had done the calculations quickly …
Document type
letter (31)
Author
Darwin, W. E.disabled_by_default
Correspondent
Date
1872 (2)
1880 (4)
1881 (22)
1882 (3)
Page: 1 2  Next
Search:
1881 in keywords
77 Items
Page:  1 2 3 4  Next

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: 28 hits

  • … In May 1881, Darwin, one of the best-known celebrities in England if not the world, …
  • … was another source of pleasure in the early months of 1881. This book had been a major undertaking …
  • … making 2000’ ( letter to H. E. Litchfield, 4 January 1881 ). Unlike Darwin’s other books, …
  • … case is to me’ (letters to W. E. Darwin, 31 January [1881] and 19 February [1881] ). On 7 …
  • … individual experience ( letter from G. J. Romanes, 7 March 1881 ). The difficulty with earthworms …
  • … were trustworthy ( letter to Francis Galton, 8 March [1881] ). Although results from earlier …
  • … ‘a game of chance’ ( letter to R. F. Cooke, 12 April 1881 ). On 18 May he described his work on …
  • … annuals ( letter to W. T. Thiselton-Dyer, 21 March [1881] ). Darwin thought flowers of the semi- …
  • … sulky in a day or two’ ( letter to R. F. Cooke, 29 July 1881 ). The degree of Darwin’s distress …
  • … period of the season’ ( letter from R. F. Cooke, 30 July 1881 ). Darwin gave in. ‘I am now uneasy …
  • … teacher told him ( letter from C. E. Södling, 14 October 1881 ), while H. M. Wallis, who sent …
  • … general stock of knowledge’ ( letter to E. W. Bok, 10 May 1881 ). Josef Popper, an expert on …
  • … any criticism’ ( letter to C. G. Semper, 19 July 1881 ). He continued his friendly disagreement …
  • … of the Fuegians’ ( letter to W. P. Snow, 22 November 1881 ). Darwin received news about the …
  • … on the shoulder (l etter from B. J. Sulivan, 18 March 1881 ). Among numerous new …
  • … ( letter from Francisco de Arruda Furtado, 29 July 1881 ). Likewise, among the many books …
  • … excellent Journal’ ( letter to G. J. Romanes, 4 July [1881] ). In these ways, Darwin kept up with …
  • … conscious of it’ ( letter to Alexander Agassiz, 5 May 1881 ). His scientific friends, however, did …
  • … on all our minds’ ( letter to John Lubbock, [18 September 1881] ). When Hooker, anxious about his …
  • … much out’ of his mind ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 20 June [1881] ). Feeling ‘awfully guilty’ for …
  • … & many a good fight’ (letters to J. D. Hooker, 6 August 1881 and 12 August 1881 ). …
  • … on all physiologists’ ( letter to G. J. Romanes, 18 April 1881 ). A letter he had written to the …
  • … & tear of controversy’ ( letter to G. R. Jesse, 23 April 1881 ). Later in the year, Darwin …
  • … judgment on the subject ( letter to A. R. Wallace, 12 July 1881 ). However, some requests were …
  • … intelligent man’ ( letter from G. J. Romanes, 1 July [1881] ). Despite this, Darwin thanked ‘all …
  • … ‘go to the wall’ ( letter to G. H. Darwin, 19 November [1881] ). Darwin was as solicitous about …
  • … no pretensions’ (l etter from W. E. Darwin, 13 January [1881 ]), Darwin immediately prepared a …
  • … have occurred to him’ ( letter to Asa Gray, 29 January 1881 ). While Francis was …

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: 8 hits

  • … From the start of 1881, Darwin had his demise on his mind. He increasingly relied on his son …
  • … now available. Read more about Darwin's life in 1881  in our Life in letters series …
  • … received.    Letter t o Francis Darwin, 9 November [1881] In October 1881, Darwin …
  • …              Letter to A. B. Buckley, 4 January 1881 In January, Darwin heard that …
  • … do.            Letter to J. D. Hooker, 15 June 1881 The Darwins spent June in the …
  • …               Letter to W. E. Darwin, 4 August [1881] In early August, Darwin …
  • …               Letter to T. H. Farrer, 28 August 1881 Darwin’s elder brother, …
  • …          Letter t o B. J. Sulivan, 1 December 1881         …

Intellectual capacities: From Caroline Kennard, 26 December 1881

Summary

We might assume that among female admirers of Darwin’s work, many would have been disappointed by his views on the comparative intellectual capacities of the sexes expressed in The Descent of Man (1872). This was certainly true of the American feminist…

Matches: 2 hits

  • … as she clearly had not read  Descent  when, in December 1881, she heard a paper at the New England …
  • … Club (of which she was a staunch member). On 26 December 1881 , she wrote to ask Darwin ‘whether …

Terms of engagement: To Julius Wiesner, 25 October 1881

Summary

Thomas Huxley’s pugnacious public defence of evolution led to his nickname ‘Darwin’s bulldog’ and to a view of Darwin as an evader of controversy. Darwin firmly believed that controversy rarely did any good, but this did not mean that he avoided challenges…

Matches: 1 hits

  • … however, was tempered. Writing to Wiesner on 25 October 1881 , Darwin stated ‘I have no doubt …

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: 11 hits

  • … in Down, where his brother Erasmus had been interred in 1881. But some of his scientific friends …
  • … vol. 29, letter from Arthur de Souza Corrêa, 28 December 1881 ). Darwin had a long-running …
  • … last book, Earthworms , had been published in October 1881. It proved to be very popular, with …
  • … vol. 29, letter from J. F. Simpson, 8 November 1881 ). He remarked on the ‘far reaching …
  • … Correspondence vol. 29, letter to Emily Talbot, 19 July 1881 ) was also published in the …
  • … American, Caroline Kennard, had written on 26 December 1881 (see Correspondence vol. 29) to …
  • … on the topic of science and art. He had sat for Collier in 1881 for a portrait commissioned by the …
  • … letter from John Collier, 22 February 1882 ; T. H. Huxley 1881, pp. 199–245). Huxley used …
  • … discoverer of tidal evolution’ ( Nature , 24 November 1881, p. 81). Darwin boasted to Rich: …
  • … the birth of his first child (Erasmus Darwin) on 7 December 1881. Finally, Darwin had a second …
  • … by Lyell’s sister-in-law Katherine (see K. M. Lyell ed. 1881, 2: 445–6). A complete draft and …

Alexander Burns Usborne

Summary

Alexander Burns Usborne was born in Kendal, Westmorland, in 1808, the son of Alexander and Margaret Usborne; his father died in 1818 and in his will was described as the purser on HMS Hannibal. His son joined the navy in 1825 aged 16 as a second-class…

Matches: 2 hits

  • … one called Beagle , in Plymouth harbour, until 1881 . He died in 1885, aged 76. His sister …
  • … 1861 (RG 9/1428/56/38), 1871 (RG10/2106/42/4), 1881 (RG11/2185/145/41) L. S. Dawson. 1885. …

1.18 John Collier, oil in Linnean

Summary

< Back to Introduction By 1881 it was clear to Darwin’s intimates that he was increasingly frail, and that, as he approached death, he had finally escaped from religious controversy to become a heroic figure, loved and venerated for his achievements…

Matches: 7 hits

  • … < Back to Introduction By 1881 it was clear to Darwin’s intimates that he was …
  • … Society in 1858. Moreover, the Society was now, in May 1881, dominated by Darwinians. Its President …
  • … work and any other subject that cropped up.’ On 7 August 1881 Darwin was able to report to Romanes …
  • … of image John Collier 
 date of creation 1881 
 computer-readable date …
  • … archive, manuscript letter LL/8, Darwin to Romanes, 27 May 1881. Correspondence between Darwin and …
  • … Letter from Darwin to his son George, 23 July 1881, telling him the picture was finished (DCP-LETT …
  • … pp. 118–121, correspondence between Romanes and Darwin in 1881 (DCP-LETT-13173, 13229, 13282). …

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: 3 hits

  • … from scientific debate. The matter spilled over into January 1881. With Henrietta’s aid, the advice …
  • … bags ( letter from G. J. Romanes, [6, 13, or 20] March 1881 ). Romanes was at work on a lengthy …
  • … memorial was eventually submitted to Gladstone in January 1881 and was successful. For a copy of the …

Casting about: Darwin on worms

Summary

Earthworms were the subject of a citizen science project to map the distribution of earthworms across Britain (BBC Today programme, 26 May 2014). The general understanding of the role earthworms play in improving soils and providing nutrients for plants to…

Matches: 3 hits

  • … , with observations on their habits, which was published in 1881. Despite Darwin’s fears that a book …
  • … earthworms. Although his monograph was not published until 1881, he had long been interested in …
  • … anyone wd suppose’ ( letter to W. E. Darwin, 31 January [1881] (CUL DAR 210.6: 173)). …

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

  • … and the fertilisation of figs by Hymenoptera,  9 January 1881 CD's instructions to …

4.41 'Punch', Sambourne cartoon 2

Summary

< Back to Introduction In October 1881, Darwin was included in Linley Sambourne’s series of ‘Punch’s Fancy Portraits’ of celebrities as No. 54. While the caption recurs to the old theme of Darwin’s views on human ancestry, the drawing contains a more…

Matches: 3 hits

  • … < Back to Introduction In October 1881, Darwin was included in Linley Sambourne’s …
  • … Linley Sambourne 
 date of creation October 1881 
 computer-readable date 1881
  • … references and bibliography Punch vol. 81 (22 October 1881), p. 190. Janet Browne, Charles …

3.20 Elliott and Fry, c.1880-1, verandah

Summary

< Back to Introduction In photographs of Darwin taken c.1880-1, the expression of energetic thought conveyed by photographs of earlier years gives way to the pathos of evident physical frailty. While Collier’s oil portrait of this time emphasises…

Matches: 5 hits

  • … and Letters of his father (1887), and there it was dated 1881. However, another photograph from …
  • … by the National Portrait Gallery (NPG X5938) to 29 November 1881. However, Janet Browne points out …
  • … of sadness at that time. In a letter to Hooker of 15 June 1881, echoed in another to B.J. Sulivan of …
  • … of Elliott and Fry 
 date of creation c.1880-1881 
 computer-readable date c …
  • … and bibliography letters from Darwin to Hooker, 15 June 1881 (DCP-LETT-13207) and to B.J. Sulivan, …

Darwin's bad days

Summary

Despite being a prolific worker who had many successes with his scientific theorising and experimenting, even Darwin had some bad days. These times when nothing appeared to be going right are well illustrated by the following quotations from his letters:

Matches: 1 hits

  • … Despite being a prolific worker who had many successes with his scientific theorising and …

Exercise: Caricatures of Science

Summary

Caricatures provide intriguing insights into both ideals and transgressions of gender. The following six images show caricatured representations of nineteenth-century men and women of science. They provide insight into the boundaries of what was deemed …

Matches: 1 hits

  • … align="aligncenter" width="206"] Clémence Royer (1881)[/caption] …

3.18 Elliott and Fry photos, c.1869-1871

Summary

< Back to Introduction The leading photographic firm of Elliott and Fry seems to have portrayed Darwin at Down House on several occasions. In November 1869 Darwin told A. B. Meyer, who wanted photographs of both him and Wallace for a German…

Matches: 3 hits

  • … by Edmond Barbier and published in Paris by C. Reinwald in 1881. The frontispiece to Henry Alleyne …
  • … agree to another session at Down with their photographer in 1881.  physical location …
  • … influence on horticulture (DAR 140.1.4) was reprinted in 1881 (DAR 140 1.33) and for an obituary …

3.21 Herbert Rose Barraud, photos

Summary

< Back to Introduction The successful portrait photographer Herbert Rose Barraud, who had studios in London and Liverpool, photographed Darwin in the summer of 1881, in a group of four or so close-up head-and-shoulders portraits. This was probably at…

Matches: 3 hits

  • … London and Liverpool, photographed Darwin in the summer of 1881, in a group of four or so close-up …
  • … Barraud for photographs, presumably these ones, on 6 July 1881, establishing their approximate date …
  • … Herbert Rose Barraud  
 date of creation 1881 
 computer-readable date c.1881-01 …

4.42 'Punch' Sambourne cartoon 3

Summary

< Back to Introduction Linley Sambourne’s last caricature of Darwin, ‘Man is But a Worm’, was published in Punch’s Almanac for 1882 on 6 December 1881, only four months before Darwin’s death. Like Sambourne’s ‘Punch’s Fancy Portraits. No. 54. Charles…

Matches: 4 hits

  • … published in Punch’s Almanac for 1882 on 6 December 1881, only four months before Darwin’s death …
  • … No. 54. Charles Robert Darwin, LL.D., F.R.S.’ of October 1881, it is an affectionate and whimsical …
  • … date of creation November-December 1881 
 computer-readable date 1881-11-01 to 1881-12-5 …
  • … Punch’s Almanac for 1882 , issued 6 December 1881 (unpaginated). Janet Browne, Charles Darwin: …

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: 2 hits

  • … Letter 13230 — Darwin, C. R. to Graham, William, 3 July 1881 Darwin praises Graham’s Creed …
  • … — Darwin, C. R. to Fegan, J. W. C., [Dec 1880 – Feb 1881] Darwin writes to J. W. C Fegan, a …

Earthworms

Summary

As with many of Darwin’s research topics, his interest in worms spanned nearly his entire working life. Some of his earliest correspondence about earthworms was written and received in the 1830s, shortly after his return from his Beagle voyage, and his…

Matches: 3 hits

  • … Geological Society (Ser. 2) 5:505-509. Darwin, C.R. 1881. The Formation of Vegetable Mould, …
  • … Mary Catherine Stanley (Lady Derby) to Darwin, 16 October 1881 Among pleasantries about the …
  • … Vegetable Mould and Earth-Worms (London: John Murray, 1881), 26. [2] Ibid., 26-27. …

Dipsacus and Drosera: Frank’s favourite carnivores

Summary

In Autumn of 1875, Francis Darwin was busy researching aggregation in the tentacles of Drosera rotundifolia (F. Darwin 1876). This phenomenon occurs when coloured particles within either protoplasm or the fluid in the cell vacuole (the cell sap) cluster…

Matches: 1 hits

  • … again, for I am sure that it is worth it.’  As late as 1881, less than a year before his death, …
Page:  1 2 3 4  Next