skip to content

Darwin Correspondence Project

To Adam Sedgwick   11 November [1859]1

Down Bromley Kent [Ilkley.]

Nov. 11th.—

My dear Professor Sedgwick

I have told Murray to send you a copy of my book on the Origin of Species, which is as yet only an abstract. As the conclusion at which I have arrived after an amount of work, which is not apparent in this condensed sketch, is so diametrically opposed to that which you have often advocated with much force, you might think that I send my volume to you out of a spirit of bravado & with a want of respect, but I assure you that I am actuated by quite opposite feelings.2

Pray believe me | My honoured friend | Your sincerely obliged | Charles Darwin

The Revd.— | Prof. Sedgwick

Footnotes

The year is established by the relationship between this letter and the letter from Adam Sedgwick, 24 November 1859 (Correspondence vol. 7). This letter was previously published with a transcription from a printed source in Correspondence vol. 7.
John Murray was the publisher of Origin. See Correspondence vol. 7, letter from Adam Sedgwick, 24 November 1859.

Bibliography

Origin: On the origin of species by means of natural selection, or the preservation of favoured races in the struggle for life. By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1859.

Summary

Has told Murray to send AS a copy of Origin. CD’s conclusion is diametrically opposed to that which AS has often advocated, but he assures AS he does not send his book out of a spirit of bravado.

Letter details

Letter no.
DCP-LETT-2525
From
Charles Robert Darwin
To
Adam Sedgwick
Sent from
Down
Source of text
Sotheby’s, New York (dealers) (13 December 2018, lot 235)
Physical description
ALS 2pp

Please cite as

Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 2525,” accessed on 19 April 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-2525.xml

Also published in The Correspondence of Charles Darwin, vol. 7

letter