To Charles Babbage [1838]
Summary
CD is much obliged for invitations to CB’s parties, but is afraid to accept because he would meet people to whom he has sworn he never goes out.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Charles Babbage |
| Date: | [1838] |
| Classmark: | The British Library (Add MS 37191: 81) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-351 |
To Susan Darwin [15 May 1838]
Summary
Recounts dinner at Erasmus’ house with Harriet Martineau and others, and a visit to Cambridge to stay with Henslow and meet old friends again.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Susan Elizabeth Darwin |
| Date: | [15 May 1838] |
| Classmark: | DAR 223: 38 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-413 |
Matches: 4 hits
- … time for. It was a very brilliant little party, as all his invariably are. — I had a very …
- … The Henleigh & M rs Rich completed the party— what a very nice, quiet fascinating person M …
- … evening we had at Henslows a brilliant party of all the geniuses in Cambridge, & a most …
- … of the College. — After chapel a large party in Sedgwick rooms. — So much for my annals. — …
To Susan Darwin [26 April 1838]
Summary
Thanks for ham and corrections in spelling. Gives account of his social activities in past week.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Susan Elizabeth Darwin |
| Date: | [26 Apr 1838] |
| Classmark: | DAR 92: A5–6 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-410 |
To Caroline Wedgwood [May 1838]
Summary
His books grow in size. Hopes to bring out work on volcanic islands and coral formations in the autumn or winter. The Journal of researches will not be published until autumn [actually not until 1839]. Whewell and Lyell flatter him about it. Has given up all society.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Caroline Sarah (Caroline) Darwin; Caroline Sarah (Caroline) Wedgwood |
| Date: | [May 1838] |
| Classmark: | DAR 154: 53 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-411 |
From Emma Wedgwood [21–2 November 1838]
Summary
Writes lovingly of small events since he left Maer. Fears their opinions may differ on "the most important subject", religion, but is grateful for his openness about his "honest & conscientious doubts".
| Author: | Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [21–2 Nov 1838] |
| Classmark: | DAR 204: 150 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-441 |
To Charles Lyell 9 August [1838]
Summary
Comments on receiving copy of Lyell’s Elements [of geology]. Much is new to CD, and he is copying out notes and references.
Criticises geological work of John Phillips.
Describes expedition to Glen Roy, about which he is writing a paper ["Parallel roads of Glen Roy" (1839), Collected papers 1: 87–137].
Enjoys the Athenaeum Club.
Criticises entomological work of F. W. Hope.
Asks Lyell to obtain for him a copy of barometric readings made at Leith.
Asks him to ascertain altitude of several Scottish lochs.
Comments on FitzRoy’s character.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Charles Lyell, 1st baronet |
| Date: | 9 Aug [1838] |
| Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.10) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-424 |
From John George Children 21 February 1838
Summary
In view of the charges directed by Edward Blyth against George R. Gray for gross incivility and discourtesy in discharging his duties as assistant in the zoological department at the British Museum, CD is asked by the Trustees to comment upon his own experience with Gray and to offer his judgment of these charges.
| Author: | John George Children |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 21 Feb 1838 |
| Classmark: | Natural History Museum, Library and Archives (Archives DF ZOO/205/1/74) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-402B |
Matches: 1 hit
- … on me by the Trustees, and justice to both parties, induces me to trouble you with this …
To Emma Wedgwood [14 November 1838]
Summary
In his first letter after their engagement, CD reports on the happy reception of the news by his family. He hopes she will not find life with him solitary and dull after the lively social life of Maer.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin |
| Date: | [14 Nov 1838] |
| Classmark: | DAR 210.8: 4 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-437 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … all your life with such large & agreeable parties, as Maer only can boast of, our quiet …
To W. D. Fox [15 June 1838]
Summary
Has not been well.
Plans a geological trip to Glen Roy in Scotland.
Thanks WDF for remembering the crossing of animals, CD’s "prime hobby". "I really think some day I shall be able to do something on that most intricate subject species and varieties."
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | [15 June 1838] |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 54) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-419 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … Paris, where she has been staying with party of Wedgwoods for a month— She stays a week in …
From Emma Wedgwood [29 December 1838]
Summary
Is delighted to learn they have "Macaw Cottage" [12 Upper Gower Street] – their second choice; hopes they have disposed of the dead dog in the garden. Much family news.
| Author: | Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [29 Dec 1838] |
| Classmark: | DAR 204: 156 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-464 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … were no gentlemen which sometimes makes a party very comfortable & easy contrary to Mrs …
From Charles Lyell 6 and 8 September 1838
Summary
Would like to talk over Salisbury Craigs with CD.
CL’s father enthusiastic over Journal of researches.
Comments on Élie de Beaumont’s theory of mountain elevation.
Asks about parallel lines of upheaval and depression in the Pacific.
Glad CD likes Athenaeum Club.
Comments on methods of work.
Invites CD to visit Kinnordy.
Defends BAAS: "in this country no importance is attached to any body of men who do not make occasional demonstrations of their strength in public meetings".
With respect to Glen Roy, notes existence of deposits destitute of shells.
| Author: | Charles Lyell, 1st baronet |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 6 and 8 Sept 1838 |
| Classmark: | K. M. Lyell 1881 2: 43 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-425 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … strongest commendation, that the illiberal party cannot conceal their dislike, and in some …
| letter | (11) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (7) |
| Darwin, Emma | (2) |
| Wedgwood, Emma | (2) |
| Children, J. G. | (1) |
| Lyell, Charles | (1) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (4) |
| Darwin, S. E. | (2) |
| Babbage, Charles | (1) |
| Darwin, Caroline | (1) |
| Darwin, Emma | (1) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (11) |
| Darwin, Emma | (3) |
| Wedgwood, Emma | (3) |
| Darwin, S. E. | (2) |
| Lyell, Charles | (2) |
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…
Anne Schlabach Burkhardt (1916–2012)
Summary
Anne Burkhardt was associated with the Darwin Correspondence Project from its beginning in 1974, and her contribution to its work helped ensure the regular publication of the volumes of correspondence. Anne was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and studied…
Matches: 1 hits
- … it became positively dangerous to attend Bennington cocktail parties, for even the slightest hint of …
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: 1 hits
- … composed specially for the occasion. He avoided dinner parties and used his spare time to scout …
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
- … be attended to by requiring a clean bill of health in both parties before marriage, and ultimately …
Darwin in letters, 1821-1836: Childhood to the Beagle voyage
Summary
Darwin's first known letters were written when he was twelve. They continue through school-days at Shrewsbury, two years as a medical student at Edinburgh University, the undergraduate years at Cambridge, and the of the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle.…
Matches: 1 hits
- … at the botanical lectures, excursions, and undergraduate parties organised by the professor of …
Darwin’s first love
Summary
Darwin’s long marriage to Emma Wedgwood is well documented, but was there an earlier romance in his life? How was his departure on the Beagle entangled with his first love? The answers are revealed in a series of flirtatious letters that Darwin was…
Matches: 1 hits
- … visiting Brighton in January 1828 and attending balls and parties almost every night. They show how …
Darwin and vivisection
Summary
Darwin played an important role in the controversy over vivisection that broke out in late 1874. Public debate was sparked when the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals brought an unsuccessful prosecution against a French physiologist who…
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…
Satire of FitzRoy's Narrative of the Voyages of the Adventure and Beagle, by John Clunies Ross. Transcription by Katharine Anderson
Summary
[f.146r Title page] Voyages of the Adventure and Beagle Supplement / to the 2nd 3rd and Appendix Volumes of the First / Edition Written / for and in the name of the Author of those / Volumes By J.C. Ross. / Sometime Master of a…
Matches: 6 hits
- … that time – the frequent predatory excursions of minor parties of Indians have prevented the …
- … was settled in full independence of Mr H’s dictation – parties of them resorted to him with …
- … as many as might come to him to beg for it – as the former parties had done – [ f.184v p.76 ] …
- … by any other designation than “Excursions” of picnic ^parties^ “on pleasure bent” &c. …
- … been drawn up for us – by able and disinterested third parties – than draw these for one another – …
- … ] Arbitrator between both parties – but felt disposed to lean to the …
Animals, ethics, and the progress of science
Summary
Darwin’s view on the kinship between humans and animals had important ethical implications. In Descent, he argued that some animals exhibited moral behaviour and had evolved mental powers analogous to conscience. He gave examples of cooperation, even…
Matches: 1 hits
- … teaching under certain conditions, but the Bill left many parties unsatisfied and the controversy …
Fake Darwin: myths and misconceptions
Summary
Many myths have persisted about Darwin's life and work. Here are a few of the more pervasive ones, with full debunking below...
Matches: 1 hits
- … Many myths have persisted about Darwin's life and work. Here are a few of the more pervasive ones, …
Was Darwin an ecologist?
Summary
One of the most fascinating aspects of Charles Darwin’s correspondence is the extent to which the experiments he performed at his home in Down, in the English county of Kent, seem to prefigure modern scientific work in ecology.
Matches: 1 hits
- … an earlier passage, describes it as a race from which both parties benefit. Nowadays, we are …
Darwin’s reading notebooks
Summary
In April 1838, Darwin began recording the titles of books he had read and the books he wished to read in Notebook C (Notebooks, pp. 319–28). In 1839, these lists were copied and continued in separate notebooks. The first of these reading notebooks (DAR 119…
Matches: 1 hits
- … . In Castelnau, Francis de, Expédition dans les parties centrales de l’Amérique du Sud … …
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
- … Darwin spent over a month corresponding with the various parties, repeatedly revising his own letter …
