To Charles Hamilton Smith 14 January [1845]
Summary
Has read CHS’s paper, "Original population of America" [Edinburgh New Philos. J. 38 (1844–5): 1–20], and is eager to know reference for the account of a "ruined city in the Caroline Group", indicating that the land has subsided. Refers to his own subsidence hypothesis in his work [Coral reefs].
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Charles Hamilton Smith |
| Date: | 14 Jan [1845] |
| Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-815 |
To Hugh Falconer [1845?–7 or 1857–64]
Summary
Arranges a time for visiting HF.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Hugh Falconer |
| Date: | 1845-7 or 1857-64 |
| Classmark: | DAR 144: 21 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2305 |
To John Murray [5 April 1845]
Summary
Thanks for note. Believes agreement with Henry Colburn does not cover 2d ed. of Journal of researches. Regrets Murray’s Colonial Library series will require one-fifth reduction of text; will consult Lyell on how to reduce scientific part. Prefers that JM consult with Colburn, but in case he declines, encloses draft of letter he would send to Colburn. Anticipates co-operation of Colburn, as he has paid CD nothing for 1st ed. of Journal.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | [5 Apr 1845] |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff.3–7) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-851 |
To John Murray 17 March [1845]
Summary
CD has heard from Lyell that JM is inclined to publish a second edition of Journal of researches. His agreement with Henry Colburn leaves CD free to publish with anyone. Will have no further relations with Colburn. Discusses details of proposed revisions.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 17 Mar [1845] |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff.354–355) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-841 |
From J. D. Hooker [28 April 1845]
Summary
First part of "Galapagos flora" ["Plants of the Galapagos Archipelago", Trans. Linn. Soc. Lond. 20 (1851): 163–233] finished but not printed.
Details of distribution of Galapagos flora. Peculiarity of island floras.
Leaves for Edinburgh on Wednesday.
| Author: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [28 Apr 1845] |
| Classmark: | DAR 100: 48 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-862 |
From J. D. Hooker [mid-July 1845]
Summary
The translation of Humboldt’s Kosmos [Cosmos (1846–58)] is delayed.
Gives instances of peculiar genera with several good species in very small islands. Scarcity of insects on islands.
JDH cannot prove that there is much hybridising, but does not see why there should not be. "Bother variation, development & all such subjects, it is reasoning in a circle I believe after all."
| Author: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [mid-July 1845] |
| Classmark: | DAR 100: 49–50 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-884 |
To C. G. Ehrenberg 29 October [1845]
Summary
Sends specimens. Asks for information about specimens from Rio Gallegos.
What does CGE mean by the term "Fluthgebiete"?
French translation gives impression that Ehrenberg attributes Pampas deposit to debacle.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg |
| Date: | 29 Oct [1845] |
| Classmark: | Museum für Naturkunde Berlin (MfN/HBSB, N005 NL Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg Nr. 43) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-923 |
To J. D. Hooker [25 November 1845]
Summary
Can JDH come to Down on 6 December? If this is convenient, CD will ask Forbes, Falconer, and perhaps Waterhouse.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
| Date: | [25 Nov 1845] |
| Classmark: | DAR 114: 48 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-930 |
To John Murray [10 April 1845]
Summary
Is certain he never signed any paper with Henry Colburn or he would have kept a copy as he did of FitzRoy’s agreement. Wishes JM success in his negotiations with Colburn; asks him to remind Colburn that the copperplate has been left with editor of German edition.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | [10 Apr 1845] |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff.10–11) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-855 |
To J. D. Hooker [4 June 1845]
Summary
JDH’s books have arrived safely.
Is sending him corrected MS of first part of Journal of researches [2d ed.].
Lyells have just visited.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
| Date: | [4 June 1845] |
| Classmark: | DAR 114: 34 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-864 |
To J. D. Hooker [22 July – 19 August 1845]
Summary
Thanks for facts on solitary islands having several species of peculiar genera; "it knocks on the head some analogies of mine".
Has long been trying to discover in how many flowers crossing is probable, but finds it difficult to show "even a vague probability of this".
Will JDH proof-read Galapagos chapter of Journal of researches?
Gives information on his Galapagos collection; explains why it differs from others.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
| Date: | [22 July – 19 Aug 1845] |
| Classmark: | DAR 114: 37 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-892 |
From B. J. Sulivan 4 July 1845
Summary
On marking and shipment of fossils.
Has met the artist, J. M. Rugendas.
Discusses British and French relations with Rosas government [of Argentina].
| Author: | Bartholomew James Sulivan |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 4 July 1845 |
| Classmark: | DAR 46.1: 87–8 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-886 |
To J. D. Hooker [11–12 July 1845]
Summary
A son [George Howard Darwin] was born on Wednesday.
Sends queries on Galapagos flora.
Discusses JDH’s comments on [Journal of researches].
CD feels that with his views on descent "really Nat. Hist. becomes a sublimely grand result-giving subject".
"How differently people view the same subject, for I look at insular Floras … as leading to an opposite view to yours."
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
| Date: | [11–12 July 1845] |
| Classmark: | DAR 114: 36, 100: 43–7 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-889 |
To J. D. Hooker [27 June 1845]
Summary
Busy correcting proofs. Thanks for JDH’s remarks; asks him to send any other corrections soon; goes to press with second part of Journal of researches in less than a week.
Urges collections of all kinds on any isolated islands.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
| Date: | [27 June 1845] |
| Classmark: | DAR 114: 35 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-880 |
From J. D. Hooker [19 November 1845]
Summary
Answers CD’s queries arising from Flora Antarctica.
Would like CD to come to town and go over Galapagos plants with him.
| Author: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [19 Nov 1845] |
| Classmark: | DAR 100: 57–8 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-928 |
To George Robert Waterhouse [after 22 May 1845]
Summary
Thanks him for describing the niata ox.
He is delighted that GRW is grappling with Galápagos insects. Needs to know immediately whether any entomologists beside GRW, Walker and A. White have described his insects.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | George Robert Waterhouse |
| Date: | [after 22 May 1845] |
| Classmark: | Bloomsbury Auctions (dealers) (1990) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-864A |
From J. D. Hooker 5 July 1845
Summary
Raises some points for revision of CD’s Journal of researches.
Southern island floras. "The more I ponder upon Insular Floras the less inclined I am to admit the mutation of species to any very great amount."
| Author: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 5 July 1845 |
| Classmark: | DAR 100: 51–4 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-887 |
To Susan Darwin 3[–4] September 1845
Summary
"All about household and money matters." The family is now living on about £1000 per annum. Plans a new walk and additions to the house.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Susan Elizabeth Darwin |
| Date: | 3[–4] Sept 1845 |
| Classmark: | DAR 153: 109 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-913 |
To John Murray 12 April [1845]
Summary
CD clarifies his relationship with Henry Colburn with regard to a 2d ed. of the Journal of researches. "I never signed any agreement of any kind; but the separate sale of my Journal in the first edition was with my verbal consent & approval."
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 12 Apr [1845] |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42153 ff.4–5) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-856 |
From J. D. Hooker [after 12 July 1845]
Summary
Answers CD’s questions relating to the flora of the Galapagos. [See 889.]
| Author: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [after 12 July 1845] |
| Classmark: | DAR 100: 43–7 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-883 |
| letter | (23) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (15) |
| Hooker, J. D. | (6) |
| Sulivan, B. J. | (2) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (8) |
| Hooker, J. D. | (5) |
| Murray, John (b) | (4) |
| Darwin, S. E. | (1) |
| Ehrenberg, C. G. | (1) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (23) |
| Hooker, J. D. | (11) |
| Murray, John (b) | (4) |
| Sulivan, B. J. | (2) |
| Darwin, S. E. | (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…
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- … 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,…
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- … 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 …
