From Louis Fraser [24? July 1845]
Summary
Discusses colour of Zenaida from the Galapagos.
| Author: | Louis Fraser |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [24? July 1845] |
| Classmark: | DAR 164: 214 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-894 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … DAR 164: 214 Louis Fraser Zoological Society Gardens [24? July 1845] Charles Robert Darwin …
From Francis Darwin [before 22 August 1872]
Summary
Sutton says monkeys often vomit, but cannot say whether they do it voluntarily.
| Author: | Francis Darwin |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [before 22 Aug 1872] |
| Classmark: | DAR 195.3: 67 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5556 |
Matches: 2 hits
- … Seth Sutton was a keeper at the zoological gardens in Regent’s Park, London (Archives of …
- … Sutton, that the monkeys in the Zoological Gardens often vomit whilst in perfect health, …
To T. H. Huxley 23 October [1858]
Summary
CD’s reasons for not signing the memorial requesting removal of natural history exhibits from British Museum. Less sure about moving botanical specimens to Kew. His notion of museum organisation.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Thomas Henry Huxley |
| Date: | 23 Oct [1858] |
| Classmark: | Imperial College of Science, Technology, and Medicine Archives (Huxley 5: 243) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2347 |
Matches: 3 hits
- … a popular Museum & to subsidise the Zoological Gardens; it would, I think, frighten any …
- … Zoological Society of London: a sketch of its foundation and development and the story of its farm, museum, gardens, …
- … zoological museum and library’. All the botanical collections, it suggested, could be sent to the Royal Botanic Gardens, …
Thompson, John (1810/11–59)
Matches: 2 hits
- … Stanley, E. G. G. S. menagerie gardens Zoological Society Derby Knowsley London Zookeeper …
- … 1851. Superintendent of the gardens of the Zoological Society of London, 1852–9. Modern …
To A. D. Bartlett 19 December [1871]
Summary
Can ADB allow T. W. Wood to sketch one of his dogs in hostile and friendly positions?
Do elephants in the Zoological Gardens carry tails aloft when excited?
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Abraham Dee Bartlett |
| Date: | 19 Dec [1871] |
| Classmark: | Archives of the New York Botanical Garden (Charles Finney Cox Collection) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-8111 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … friendly positions? Do elephants in the Zoological Gardens carry tails aloft when excited? …
To Anton Dohrn 4 January 1870
Summary
The Zoological Garden has only one old adult male of Limulus. When there were females, eggs were never observed.
Encloses a separate letter [formerly 7071] about AD’s scheme [for a zoological station].
Suggests AD be cautious [in his work]. "Caution is almost the soul of science."
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Felix Anton (Anton) Dohrn |
| Date: | 4 Jan 1870 |
| Classmark: | Bayerische Staatsbibliothek München (Ana 525. Ba 697); Bibliothèque de Genève (Ms. fr. 2188, ff. 296-7) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-7070 |
Matches: 2 hits
- … The Zoological Garden has only one old adult male of Limulus . When there were females, …
- … The superintendent of the Zoological Society’s gardens in Regent’s Park, London, was …
To W. B. Tegetmeier 2 July [1869]
Summary
Thanks for procuring eggs.
CD’s health has necessitated his leaving home.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Bernhard Tegetmeier |
| Date: | 2 July [1869] |
| Classmark: | Archives of the New York Botanical Garden (Charles Finney Cox Collection) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6811 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … turkey had been exhibited at the Zoological Gardens, London (see Correspondence vol. 16, …
To T. C. Eyton 12 [May 1861 – April 1863]
Summary
Thanks TCE for telling him of his crossed pigs. When they are grown, he would like to know whether they resemble each other.
Doubts the half-bred Gallus sonnerati will be productive, though he was assured many years ago that such a fertile half-breed once occurred.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Thomas Campbell Eyton |
| Date: | 12 [May 1861 - Apr 1863] |
| Classmark: | Cadbury Research Library: Special Collections, University of Birmingham (EYT/1/45) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-13804 |
Matches: 2 hits
- … to have limited fertility at the Zoological Gardens in London ( S. J. A. Salter 1863 ). …
- … years ago I myself saw at the Zoological Gardens young birds, which were the offspring of …
Thomson, James (1819/20–69)
Matches: 3 hits
- … and library. London: Cassell. 7 pheasants gardens Zoological Society London India Himalaya …
- … 69 Zookeeper. Keeper of the gardens of the Zoological Society of London; head keeper, …
- … Zoological Society of London: a sketch of its foundation and development and the story of its farm, museum, gardens, …
From Johann von Fischer 15 September 1876
Summary
Mentions observations on apes and other mammals. Describes habits of apes and monkeys in presenting hindquarters. Thinks species that present always have colourful hindquarters. Discusses possible exceptions to rule.
| Author: | Johann von Fischer |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 15 Sept 1876 |
| Classmark: | DAR 164: 119, 119a–c |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-10600 |
Matches: 3 hits
- … Should the position as director of a zoological garden materialise, for which I am being …
- … Pflege und Zucht der Tiere (The zoological garden. A magazine for the observation, care, …
- … 19. Fischer became director of the zoological gardens in Düsseldorf in 1880 (Rieck et al . …
From W. D. Fox 18 [November 1870]
Summary
Has heard "sad tales" about CD’s forthcoming book [Descent]; does not think even CD can persuade him his ancestors were apes.
| Author: | William Darwin Fox |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 18 [Nov 1870] |
| Classmark: | DAR 164: 192 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-7376 |
Matches: 2 hits
- … become well-known to visitors to the Zoological Gardens for smoking and performing other …
- … Bartlett , the superintendent of the Zoological Gardens, who thought she represented a new …
From Francis Galton 28 June 1870
Summary
[William Rathbone] Greg is author [of "Failure of ""natural selection"" in the case of man", Fraser’s Magazine 78 (1868): 353–62].
Comments on findings in J. M. Duncan [Fecundity, fertility, sterility and allied topics (1866)].
Saw A. D. Bartlett about monkeys.
| Author: | Francis Galton |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 28 June 1870 |
| Classmark: | DAR 80: B160–1 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-7249 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … seen it. ’ Seth Sutton was a keeper at the Zoological Gardens in London; Bartlett was the …
Tenant, James (1824/5–77)
Matches: 2 hits
- … Keeper of the aquarium at the Zoological Society’s gardens. Married Mary Parker in 1853 at …
- … shells. 3 pts. London. [Vols. 6,8,9] 6 aquarium Zoological Society’s gardens Curator …
From Arthur Nicols 25 May 1873
Summary
Thanks to CD his candidature for the Zoological Society has been entertained.
Observed a flamingo, at the Zoological Gardens, that vomited on a bustard in answer to the latter’s harsh cries.
| Author: | Robert Arthur (Arthur) Nicols |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 25 May 1873 |
| Classmark: | DAR 172: 61 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-8922 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … entertained. Observed a flamingo, at the Zoological Gardens, that vomited on a bustard in …
From H. M. Wallis 27 March 1881
Summary
Is glad CD finds his observations on hair growth on ears new and interesting.
Mentions instances in which young birds possess abilities lacking in the adult.
| Author: | Henry Marriage Wallis |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 27 Mar 1881 |
| Classmark: | DAR 210.9: 16 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-13099 |
Matches: 2 hits
- … added that he could not visit the Zoological Gardens, London, until the autumn (see letter …
- … the year & as I hope to get to the Zoological Gardens soon I will look at the monkeys. I …
To Max Schmidt [29 April 1869]
Summary
Asks MS whether he will examine adult mandrills and describe the sexual differences in colouring.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Maximilian (Max) Schmidt |
| Date: | [29 Apr 1869] |
| Classmark: | DAR 96: 65 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6762 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … director of the Frankfurt am Main Zoological Gardens. See letter from J. N. Hegt, [23 …
To J. Noordhoek Hegt 19 April 1869
Summary
Enquires about spurs in the last year’s birds of Pavo Spicifer and cristatus.
Enquires about sexual differences in mandrills.
Asks the correct spelling of JNH’s surname and offers to send a copy of Journal of Researches.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | J. Noordhoek Hegt |
| Date: | 19 Apr 1869 |
| Classmark: | Stadsarchief Amsterdam (395: 614) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6705F |
Matches: 1 hit
- … Bartlett , the superintendent of the Zoological Gardens in Regent’s Park, London, and Seth …
From J. J. Weir [before 17] October 1868
Summary
Both sexes of Crossoptilon auritum (eared pheasant) obtained the red cheeks the first year.
Coloration of the linnet.
| Author: | John Jenner Weir |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [before 17] Oct 1868 |
| Classmark: | DAR 86: A36, 53; DAR 84.1: 139 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6421 |
Matches: 2 hits
- … and n. 9). He also refers to the Zoological Gardens, Regent’s Park, London. In Descent 1: …
- … received this information from the Zoological Gardens. CD cited Weir for this information …
From Edward Blyth 5 April 1868
Summary
Discusses the human foot and its abnormalities; notes an example of syndactylism.
Gives his observations on sexual differences in coloration of terns and ostriches.
| Author: | Edward Blyth |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 5 Apr 1868 |
| Classmark: | DAR 84.1: 136, DAR 160: 213 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6094 |
Matches: 2 hits
- … Dee Bartlett and to a keeper at the Zoological Gardens, Regent’s Park, London, who has not …
- … have mentioned the keeper at the Zoological Gardens when he met CD in London on 24 March ( …
From Friedrich Rolle 26 January 1863
Summary
Pleased that his book, Ch. Darwin’s Lehre [1863], has CD’s approval.
FR formerly a geologist, now a dealer in natural history objects.
Most active supporter of CD’s theory is Gustav Jäger in Vienna.
FR regards fossil Hipparion as a link between horse and pachyderms.
| Author: | Friedrich Rolle |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 26 Jan 1863 |
| Classmark: | DAR 176: 201 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3947 |
Matches: 3 hits
- … founder and now director of the Zoological Garden in Vienna. Gustav Jaeger and I already …
- … with the founding of the Vienna Zoological Garden. However, he intends to resume his …
- … Jäger was one of the directors of the zoological garden in Vienna, which opened on 25 May …
| letter | (173) |
| people | (32) |
| bibliography | (5) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (68) |
| Blyth, Edward | (23) |
| Weir, J. J. | (5) |
| Galton, Francis | (4) |
| Hooker, J. D. | (4) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (103) |
| Bartlett, A. D. | (8) |
| Blyth, Edward | (4) |
| Fox, W. D. | (3) |
| Hooker, J. D. | (3) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (171) |
| Blyth, Edward | (27) |
| Bartlett, A. D. | (11) |
| Hooker, J. D. | (7) |
| Weir, J. J. | (7) |
| 1829 | (1) |
| 1832 | (1) |
| 1833 | (2) |
| 1841 | (1) |
| 1845 | (2) |
| 1848 | (1) |
| 1850 | (1) |
| 1855 | (3) |
| 1856 | (5) |
| 1857 | (2) |
| 1858 | (3) |
| 1860 | (5) |
| 1861 | (6) |
| 1862 | (11) |
| 1863 | (3) |
| 1864 | (2) |
| 1865 | (5) |
| 1866 | (8) |
| 1867 | (13) |
| 1868 | (28) |
| 1869 | (10) |
| 1870 | (10) |
| 1871 | (17) |
| 1872 | (7) |
| 1873 | (4) |
| 1874 | (3) |
| 1875 | (5) |
| 1876 | (3) |
| 1877 | (2) |
| 1878 | (3) |
| 1879 | (3) |
| 1880 | (1) |
| 1881 | (2) |
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 …
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 …
Before Origin: the ‘big book’
Summary
Darwin began ‘sorting notes for Species Theory’ on 9 September 1854, the very day he concluded his eight-year study of barnacles (Darwin's Journal). He had long considered the question of species. In 1842, he outlined a theory of transmutation in a…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Darwin began ‘sorting notes for Species Theory’ on 9 September 1854, the very day he concluded his …
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 …
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 April 1838, Darwin began recording the titles of books he had read and the books he wished to …
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, 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
- … Darwin's first known letters were written when he was twelve. They continue through his school …
What is an experiment?
Summary
Darwin is not usually regarded as an experimenter, but rather as an astute observer and a grand theorist. His early career seems to confirm this. He began with detailed note-taking, collecting and cataloguing on the Beagle, and edited a descriptive zoology…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Darwin is not usually regarded as an experimenter, but rather as an astute observer and a grand …
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 …
2.11 Christian Lehr, plaster bust
Summary
< Back to Introduction A plaster bust of Darwin by the German artist Christian Wilhelm Jacob Lehr the younger, dating from 1883, has found its way to a historic zoological library in the Netherlands. This is the Artis Bibliotheek, Natura Artis…
Matches: 1 hits
- … < Back to Introduction A plaster bust of Darwin by the German artist Christian …
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,1870: Human evolution
Summary
The year 1870 is aptly summarised by the brief entry Darwin made in his journal: ‘The whole of the year at work on the Descent of Man & Selection in relation to Sex’. Descent was the culmination of over three decades of observations and reflections on…
Matches: 1 hits
- … The year 1870 is aptly summarised by the brief entry Darwin made in his journal: ‘The whole of the …
John Stevens Henslow
Summary
The letters Darwin exchanged with John Stevens Henslow, professor of Botany and Mineralogy at Cambridge University, were among the most significant of his life. It was a letter from Henslow that brought Darwin the invitation to sail round the world as…
Matches: 1 hits
- … The letters Darwin exchanged with John Stevens Henslow, professor of Botany and Mineralogy at …
About Darwin
Summary
To many of us, Darwin’s name is synonymous with his theory of evolution by natural selection. But even before the publication of On the Origin of Species in 1859, he was publicly known through his popular book about the voyage of the Beagle, and he was…
Matches: 1 hits
- … To many of us, Darwin’s name is synonymous with his theory of evolution by natural selection. But …
About Darwin
Summary
To many of us, Darwin’s name is synonymous with his theory of evolution by natural selection. But even before the publication of On the Origin of Species in 1859, he was publicly known through his popular book about the voyage of the Beagle, and he was…
Matches: 1 hits
- … To many of us, Darwin’s name is synonymous with his theory of evolution by natural selection. But …
Darwin in letters, 1856-1857: the 'Big Book'
Summary
In May 1856, Darwin began writing up his 'species sketch’ in earnest. During this period, his working life was completely dominated by the preparation of his 'Big Book', which was to be called Natural selection. Using letters are the main…
Matches: 1 hits
- … On 14 May 1856, Charles Darwin recorded in his journal that he ‘Began by Lyell’s advice writing …
Darwin in letters, 1868: Studying sex
Summary
The quantity of Darwin’s correspondence increased dramatically in 1868 due largely to his ever-widening research on human evolution and sexual selection.Darwin’s theory of sexual selection as applied to human descent led him to investigate aspects of the…
Matches: 1 hits
- … On 6 March 1868, Darwin wrote to the entomologist and accountant John Jenner Weir, ‘If …
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, 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 …
Darwin in letters,1866: Survival of the fittest
Summary
The year 1866 began well for Charles Darwin, as his health, after several years of illness, was now considerably improved. In February, Darwin received a request from his publisher, John Murray, for a new edition of Origin. Darwin got the fourth…
Matches: 1 hits
- … The year 1866 began well for Charles Darwin, as his health, after several years of illness, was …
