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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: 21 hits

… At the start of 1863, Charles Darwin was actively working on the manuscript of The variation of …
… markedly, reflecting a decline in his already weak health. Darwin then began punctuating letters …
… am languid & bedeviled … & hate everybody’. Although Darwin did continue his botanical …
… letter-writing dwindled considerably. The correspondence and Darwin’s scientific work diminished …
… of the water-cure. The treatment was not effective and Darwin remained ill for the rest of the year. …
… the correspondence from the year. These letters illustrate Darwin’s preoccupation with the …
… detailed anatomical similarities between humans and apes, Darwin was full of praise. He especially …
… Britain’s scientific circles following the publication of Lyell’s and Huxley’s books. Three …
… Origin had (see Correspondence vol. 8, letter to Charles Lyell, 10 January [1860] ). In the …
… with animals now extinct had been rapidly accumulating. Lyell’s argument for a greater human …
… as well as on evidence collected earlier in the century. Lyell’s Antiquity of man and Huxley’s …
… arguments for species change. In this context, Lyell’s discussion of the origin of species …
… that of inferior animals made him ‘groan’ ( letter to Charles Lyell, 6 March [1863] ). Darwin …
… out that species were not separately created’ ( letter to Charles Lyell, 17 March [1863] ). Public …
… you, as my old honoured guide & master’ ( letter to Charles Lyell, 6 March [1863] ). …
… stronger statements regarding species change ( letter from Charles Lyell, 11 March 1863 ). The …
… letter to J. D. Dana, 20 February [1863] , and letter to Charles Lyell, 6 March [1863] ). …
… book’ from which he had ‘gained nothing’ ( letter to Charles Lyell, 12–13 March [1863] ). …
… sentence from the second edition of Antiquity of man (C. Lyell 1863b, p. 469), published in …
… very slowly recovering, but am very weak’ ( letter to A. R. Wallace, [29 September? 1863] ). …
… Thomas’s Hospital, London ( letter from George Busk, [ c. 27 August 1863] ). Brinton, who …

Darwin in letters, 1860: Answering critics

Summary

On 7 January 1860, John Murray published the second edition of Darwin’s Origin of species, printing off another 3000 copies to satisfy the demands of an audience that surprised both the publisher and the author. It wasn't long, however, before ‘the…

Matches: 23 hits

… 7 January 1860, John Murray published the second edition of Darwin’s Origin of species , printing …
… surprised both the publisher and the author. One week later Darwin was stunned to learn that the …
… But it was the opinion of scientific men that was Darwin’s main concern. He eagerly scrutinised each …
… his views. ‘One cannot expect fairness in a Reviewer’, Darwin commented to Hooker after reading an …
… ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 3 January [1860] ). Darwin’s magnanimous attitude soon faded, …
… but ‘unfair’ reviews that misrepresented his ideas, Darwin began to feel that without the early …
… it was his methodological criticism in the accusation that Darwin had ‘deserted the inductive track, …
… to J. S. Henslow, 8 May [1860] ). Above all else Darwin prided himself on having developed a …
… it comes in time to be admitted as real.’ ( letter to C. J. F. Bunbury, 9 February [1860] ). This …
… current knowledge could not illuminate this ‘mystery’. Charles Lyell worried, among other things, …
… did not necessarily lead to progression ( letter to Charles Lyell, 18 [and 19 February 1860] ). To …
… of reasoning about global change. Darwin also knew that Lyell was a powerful potential ally. Indeed, …
… plant species and varieties than from animal breeding. With Lyell also questioning how interbreeding …
… because more accustomed to reasoning.’ ( letter to A. R. Wallace, 18 May 1860 ). Darwin …
… perfected structure as the eye. As Darwin admitted to Lyell, Gray, and others, imagining how …
… Certainly this was a major difficulty standing in the way of Lyell’s acceptance of the theory, as …
… is in same predicament with other animals’ ( letter to Charles Lyell, 10 January [1860] )— he and …
… of the scientifically literate clergymen Baden Powell and Charles Kingsley attested. Moreover, …
… (like Lyell) to retract their support altogether (letters to Charles Lyell, 1 June [1860] and …
… different opposers view the subject’ ( letter to Charles Lyell, 15 February [1860] ); later he …
… better fun observing is than writing.—’ ( letter to Charles Lyell, 12 September [1860] ). Despite …
… & not amuse myself with interludes.—’ (letters to Charles Lyell, 24 November [1860] , and to …
… daughter Anne’s fatal illness never far from their minds, Charles and Emma did whatever they could …

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: 13 hits

… Below is a list of Darwin's correspondents with the number of letters for each one. …
… Edwards & Co. (1) Babbage, Charles (10) …
… (1) Berliner Gesellschaft für Anthropologie, Ethnologie und Urgeschichte …
… Bond, Frederick (2) Boner, Charles (5) …
… Edward (1) Bradlaugh, Charles (2) …
… Brayley, E. W. (1) Breese, Charles (1) …
… Samuel (b) (14) Buxton, Charles (2) …
… Chapman, John (4) Charles, R. F. (2) …
… Crawfurd, John (3) Crawley, Charles (2) …
… Virginius (3) Dallas, Charles (1) …
… Dareste, Camille (9) Darwin family (1) …
… Dixie, Florence (3) Dixon, Charles (1) …
… Lydekker, R. (1) Lyell, Charles (277) …

Darwin in letters, 1858-1859: Origin

Summary

The years 1858 and 1859 were, without doubt, the most momentous of Darwin’s life. From a quiet rural existence filled with steady work on his ‘big book’ on species, he was jolted into action by the arrival of an unexpected letter from Alfred Russel Wallace…

Matches: 19 hits

… 1858 and 1859 were, without doubt, the most momentous of Darwin’s life. From a quiet rural existence …
… Russel Wallace. This letter led to the first announcement of Darwin’s and Wallace’s respective …
… the composition and publication, in November 1859, of Darwin’s major treatise On the origin of …
… exceeded my wildest hopes By the end of 1859, Darwin’s work was being discussed in …
… as he jokingly called it) to his views of close friends like Charles Lyell, Joseph Dalton Hooker, …
… concepts of creation. ‘When I was in spirits’, he told Lyell at the end of 1859, ‘I sometimes …
… infinitely exceeded my wildest hopes.—’ ( letter to Charles Lyell, 25 [November 1859] ). This …
… The 'big book' The year 1858 opened with Darwin hard at work preparing his ‘big …
… appropriate. The correspondence shows that at any one time Darwin was engaged in a number of …
… his reason or his own opinion. Hewett Cottrell Watson and Charles Cardale Babington thought that in …
… work—& that I confess made me a little low—but I c d . have borne it, for I have the …
… and dismay is evident in the letter he subsequently wrote to Charles Lyell, as Wallace had requested …
… his terms now stand as Heads of my Chapters.’ ( letter to Charles Lyell, 18 [June 1858] ). …
… Following Francis Darwin ( LL 2: 116–17) and relying on Charles Lyell’s endorsement, the editors …
… with scarlet fever, currently sweeping through the village. Charles Waring Darwin’s condition …
… work. Again, he called upon Lyell for advice ( letter to Charles Lyell, 28 March [1859] ). Lyell …
… from the title of the forthcoming book ( letter to Charles Lyell, 30 March [1859] ). Darwin next …
… on the origin of species and varieties’ (letters to Charles Lyell, 28 March [1859] , and to …
… it is impossible that men like Lyell, Hooker, Huxley, H. C. Watson, Ramsay &c would change their …

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 …

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: 21 hits

… On 14 May 1856, Charles Darwin recorded in his journal that he ‘Began by Lyell’s advice writing …
… by the preparation of this manuscript. Although advised by Lyell to publish only a brief outline …
… Natural selection . Determined as he was to publish, Darwin nevertheless still felt cautious …
… this process. Still prominent in his immediate circle were Charles Lyell and Joseph Dalton Hooker, …
… specialist in Madeiran entomology, Thomas Vernon Wollaston. Darwin also came to rely on the caustic …
… in London. Natural Selection Not all of Darwin’s manuscript on species has been …
… of pigeons, poultry, and other domesticated animals. As Darwin explained to Lyell, his studies, …
… of how selection might work in nature ( letter from Charles Lyell, 1–2 May 1856, n. 10 ). He was …
… can William Bernhard Tegetmeier continued to help Darwin acquire much of the material for …
… on domestic animals in India and elsewhere. William Darwin Fox supplied information about cats, dogs …
… mastiffs. The disparate facts were correlated and checked by Darwin, who adroitly used letters, …
… can.’ ( letter to W. D. Fox, 8 February [1857] ). Darwin also attempted to test ideas …
… not a bird be killed (by hawk, lightning, apoplexy, hail &c) with seeds in crop, & it would …
… to William Erasmus Darwin, [26 February 1856] and to Charles Lyell, 3 May [1856] ). …
… 21 [July 1857] ). The problem of careers for his six boys (Charles Waring Darwin, the sixth and …
… and the preparation of his manuscript ( letter to A. R. Wallace, 1 May 1857 ) seem innocuous and …
… writing in part to establish his priority in this area, for Charles Lyell thought that Wallace’s …
… All the available material seems to indicate that it was Lyell rather than Darwin who feared the …
… given on an occasion other than the one previously supposed. Charles and Mary Elizabeth Lyell …
… up to London to see Lyell to discuss it further ( letter to Charles Lyell, 3 May [1856] ). It was …
… not embrace the whole Lamarckian doctrine.’ ( letter from Charles Lyell, 1–2 May 1856, n. 7 ). The …

Dramatisation script

Summary

Re: Design – Adaptation of the Correspondence of Charles Darwin, Asa Gray and others… by Craig Baxter – as performed 25 March 2007

Matches: 22 hits

… 1 Re: Design – Adaptation of the Correspondence of Charles Darwin, Asa Gray and others… by …
… as the creator of this dramatisation, and that of the Darwin Correspondence Project to be identified …
… from the correspondence or published writings of Asa Gray, Charles Darwin, Joseph Dalton Hooker, …
… following: Actor 1 – Asa Gray Actor 2 – Charles Darwin Actor 3 – In the dress …
… Agassiz, Adam Sedgwick, A Friend of John Stuart Mill, Emma Darwin, Horace Darwin… and acts as a sort …
… the play unfolds and acting as a go-between between Gray and Darwin, and between the audience and …
… this, he sends out copies of his Review of the Life of Darwin. At this time in his life, Asa …
… friends in England, copies of his ‘Review of the Life of Darwin’… pencilling the address so that it …
… the botanist, Joseph D Hooker GRAY: 3 Charles Darwin… made his home on the border …
… are kept in check by a constitutional weakness. DARWIN: A plain but comfortable brick …
… the year 1839, and copied and communicated to Messrs Lyell and Hooker in 1844, being a …
… at the expense of Agassiz. DARWIN: 20 Lyell told me, that Agassiz, having a …
… – to be false… Yours most sincerely and gratefully Charles Darwin. CREED AND FEVER: 1858 …
… forgetfuless of your darling. BOOKS BY THE LATE CHARLES DARWIN: 1863-1865 In which …
… and officially die. And then publish books ‘by the late Charles Darwin’. Darwin takes up …
… 173 Ever yours cordially (though an Englishman) Charles Darwin. GRAY: 174 …
… paragraph, in which I quote and differ from you[r] 178 doctrine that each variation has been …
… at an unexpected and probably transient notoriety… Charles Darwin died on the 19th April …
… ARTS AND SCIENCES, PROCEEDINGS XVII, 1882 4 C DARWIN TO JD HOOKER 10 MAY 1848 …
… DARWIN TO A GRAY, 4 JULY 1858 48 C DARWIN TO LYELL, 18 JUNE 1858 49 C …
… GRAY TO JD HOOKER, 18 FEBRUARY 1861 115 A GRAY TO CHARLES WRIGHT, 17 APRIL 1862 …
… TO ASA GRAY 20 APRIL 1863 174 FROM A GRAY TO CHARLES DARWIN, 24 JULY 1865 …

Language: key letters

Summary

How and why language evolved bears on larger questions about the evolution of the human species, and the relationship between man and animals. Darwin presented his views on the development of human speech from animal sounds in The Descent of Man (1871),…

Matches: 13 hits

… human species, and the relationship between man and animals. Darwin presented his views on the …
… he first began to reflect on the transmutation of species. Darwin’s correspondence reveals the scope …
… he exchanged information and ideas. Letter 346: Darwin, C. R. to Darwin, C. S., 27 Feb 1837 …
… one stock.” Letter 2070: Wedgwood, Hensleigh to Darwin, C. R., [before 29 Sept 1857] …
… because we can trace the elements into Latin, German &c. but I see much the same sort of thing …
… down of former continents.” Letter 3054: Darwin, C. R. to Lyell, Charles , 2 Feb [1861] …
… that languages, like species, were separately created. Darwin writes to the geologist Charles Lyell …
… him is perfectly logical.” Letter 5605: Darwin, C. R. to Müller, J. F. T., 15 Aug [1867] …
… Letter 7040: Wedgwood, Hensleigh to Darwin, C. R., [1868-70?] As Darwin began to work on …
… growing to such a stage” Letter 8367: Darwin, C. R. to Wright, Chauncey, 3 June [1872] …
… altering the breed. Letter 8962: Darwin, C. R. to Max Müller, Friedrich, 3 July 1873 …
… Letter 10194: Max Müller, Friedrich to Darwin, C. R., 13 Oct [1875] For Müller, human and …
… […]” Letter 9887: Dawkins, W. B. to Darwin, C. R., 14 Mar 1875 The relationship …

Darwin in letters, 1837–1843: The London years to 'natural selection'

Summary

The seven-year period following Darwin's return to England from the Beagle voyage was one of extraordinary activity and productivity in which he became recognised as a naturalist of outstanding ability, as an author and editor, and as a professional…

Matches: 23 hits

… The seven-year period following Darwin's return to England from the Beagle voyage was one …
… a family Busy as he was with scientific activities, Darwin found time to re-establish family …
… close contact. In November 1838, two years after his return, Darwin became engaged to his cousin, …
… daughter, Anne Elizabeth, moved to Down House in Kent, where Darwin was to spend the rest of his …
… his greatest theoretical achievement, the most important of Darwin’s activities during the years …
… identifications of his bird and fossil mammal specimens, Darwin arrived at the daring and momentous …
… ideas on a wide range of topics. Then, in September 1838, T. R. Malthus’ An essay on the principle …
… in species. With this new theoretical point of departure Darwin continued to make notes and explore …
… by all the leading geologists of England—among them Charles Lyell, Sedgwick, and Buckland (see the …
… of South America”, Darwin continued to defend his and Lyell’s theory that floating ice—rather than …
… Fossil Mammalia , by Richard Owen; Mammalia , by G. R. Waterhouse; Birds , by John Gould; …
… publications. The beetles were described by F. W. Hope, G. R. Waterhouse, and C. C. Babington; the …
… lists of Darwin’s plants (see D. M. Porter 1981). Charles Lyell In the extensive …
… correspondent, both scientifically and personally, was Charles Lyell. The letters Darwin and Lyell …
… had declared himself to be a ‘zealous disciple’ of Lyell, but his theory of coral reef formation, …
… Their correspondence began in 1836 and from the start Lyell accepted Darwin on equal terms as a …
… material for her Life, letters and journals of Sir Charles Lyell, Bart., Darwin informs her that …
… all crosses between all domestic birds & animals dogs, cats &c &c very valuable—' …
… on literature in this field and on friends like Henslow, T. C. Eyton, and W. D. Fox, who were …
… the practice of systematists. As the correspondence with G. R. Waterhouse during the 1840s shows, …
… same, though I know what I am looking for' ( Letter to G. R. Waterhouse, [26 July 1843] ). …
… In 1840 the illness was different. As he wrote to Charles Lyell, [19 February 1840] , “it is now …
… [20 February 1840] , ‘as usual has been my enemy—but D r . Holland tells me he thinks it is only …

Darwin in letters, 1865: Delays and disappointments

Summary

The year was marked by three deaths of personal significance to Darwin: Hugh Falconer, a friend and supporter; Robert FitzRoy, captain of the Beagle; and William Jackson Hooker, director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and father of Darwin’s friend…

Matches: 22 hits

… In 1865, the chief work on Charles Darwin’s mind was the writing of The variation of animals and …
… letters on climbing plants to make another paper. Darwin also submitted a manuscript of his …
… protégé, John Scott, who was now working in India. Darwin’s transmutation theory continued to …
… Argyll, appeared in the religious weekly, Good Words . Darwin received news of an exchange of …
… Butler, and, according to Butler, the bishop of Wellington. Darwin’s theory was discussed at an …
… in the Gardeners’ Chronicle . At the end of the year, Darwin was elected an honorary member of …
… year was marked by three deaths of personal significance to Darwin: Hugh Falconer, a friend of …
… dispute between two of Darwin’s friends, John Lubbock and Charles Lyell . These events all inspired …
… claimed, important for his enjoyment of life. He wrote to Charles Lyell on 22 January [1865] , …
… Darwin had received a copy of Müller’s book, Fü r Darwin , a study of the Crustacea with reference …
… … inheritance, reversion, effects of use & disuse &c’, and which he intended to publish in …
… and those of Georges Louis Leclerc, comte de Buffon, and Charles Bonnet; Darwin wrote back: ‘I do …
… the Royal Society of Edinburgh criticising Origin . Like Charles Lyell, who wrote to Darwin on …
… for existence (ibid., pp. 276–81). Darwin responded to Lyell’s account in some detail ( see letter …
… the correspondence. At the end of May, the dispute between Charles Lyell and John Lubbock over …
… human antiquity, adding a note to his preface asserting that Lyell in his Antiquity of man , …
… Natural History Review . He also cited a statement by Lyell in Antiquity of man that the pages …
… He wrote to Hooker, ‘I doubt whether you or I or any one c d do any good in healing this breach. …
… Hooker’s behalf, ‘He asks if you saw the article of M r . Croll in the last Reader on the …
… set up to support FitzRoy’s children ( see letter from Charles Shaw, 3 October 1865 ). …
… ‘As for your thinking that you do not deserve the C[opley] Medal,’ he rebuked Hooker, ‘that I …
… are letters commenting on Origin , including two from Charles Lyell, who had been sent the proof …

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: 19 hits

… 1874 was one of consolidation, reflection, and turmoil for Darwin. He spent the early months working …
… dispute over an anonymous review that attacked the work of Darwin’s son George dominated the second …
… and traveller Alexander von Humboldt’s 105th birthday, Darwin obliged with a reflection on his debt …
… during prolonged intervals’ ( letter to D. T. Gardner, [ c . 27 August 1874] ). The death of a …
… from W. D. Fox, 8 May [1874] ). Such reminiscences led Darwin to the self-assessment, ‘as for one …
… I feel very old & helpless The year started for Darwin with a week’s visit to …
… at Erasmus’s house. The event was led by the medium Charles E. Williams, and was attended by George …
… friend Joseph Dalton Hooker, and finally borrowed one from Charles Lyell ( letter to Smith, Elder …
… Descent was published in November 1874 ( letter from R. F. Cooke, 12 November 1874 ). Though …
… at a much reduced price of nine shillings, in line with Charles Lyell’s Student’s elements of …
… on subsequent print runs would be very good ( letter from R. F. Cooke, 12 November 1874 ). …
… in a few hours dissolve the hardest cartilage, bone & meat &c. &c.’ ( letter to W. D. …
… whether at the ‘close of the putrefaction of flesh, skin &c, any substance is produced before …
… details of an Australian variety of sundew ( letter from T. C. Copland, 23 June 1874 ). …
… raising £860 ( Circular to John Lubbock, P. L. Sclater, Charles Lyell, W. B. Carpenter, and Michael …
… Sharpe for promotion at the British Museum ( letter to R. B. Sharpe, 24 November [1874] ). He …
… head that M r Spencer’s terms of equilibration &c always bother me & make everything less …
… of the English editions. Darwin’s French publisher, Charles Reinwald, engaged new translators to …
… of both Huxley’s and Tyndall’s addresses, Charles Lyell, who had spent his career distancing geology …

Controversy

Summary

The best-known controversies over Darwinian theory took place in public or in printed reviews. Many of these were highly polemical, presenting an over-simplified picture of the disputes. Letters, however, show that the responses to Darwin were extremely…

Matches: 13 hits

… the disputes. Letters, however, show that the responses to Darwin were extremely variable. Many of …
… was itself an important arena of debate, one that Darwin greatly preferred to the public sphere. …
… and support sustained in spite of enduring differences. Darwin's correspondence can thus help …
… Disagreement and Respect Darwin rarely engaged with critics publically. Letters exchanged …
… Richard Owen, the eminent comparative anatomist, show how Darwin tried to manage strong disagreement …
… Darwin and Sedgwick Letter 2525 — Darwin, C. R. to Sedgwick, Adam, 11 Nov 1859 …
… Letter 2548 — Sedgwick, Adam to Darwin, C. R., 24 Nov 1859 Adam Sedgwick thanks Darwin for …
… as “heterodox”. Letter 2575 — Darwin, C. R. to Lyell, Charles, [10 Dec 1859] …
… Darwin and his close friends, Joseph Dalton Hooker and Charles Lyell, show that Darwin, who had …
… at the Linnean Society of London, and presided over by Lyell and Hooker, reveals much about the …
… differences. Letter 2285 — Darwin, C. R. to Lyell, Charles, 18 [June 1858] Darwin …
… it to journal. Letter 2294 — Darwin, C. R. to Lyell, Charles, [25 June 1858] …
… to him. Letter 2295 — Darwin, C. R. to Lyell, Charles, 26 [June 1858] Darwin …

Dates of composition of Darwin's manuscript on species

Summary

Many of the dates of letters in 1856 and 1857 were based on or confirmed by reference to Darwin’s manuscript on species (DAR 8--15.1, inclusive; transcribed and published as Natural selection). This manuscript, begun in May 1856, was nearly completed by…

Matches: 6 hits

… in 1856 and 1857 were based on or confirmed by reference to Darwin’s manuscript on species (DAR 8- …
… May 1856, was nearly completed by June 1858. At that point Darwin was ‘interrupted’, as he put it, …
… summary of Wallace’s theory of transmutation ( letter to Charles Lyell, 18 [June 1858] ). Darwin …
… in the ‘Journal’ and the chapter headings as supplied by Darwin, followed by the reference of the …
… also given. Chapter 1 is not extant nor was it recorded in Darwin's ‘Journal’. Chapter 2 is not …
… chapter has been taken from a table of contents to which Darwin added the names of chapters as he …

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: 21 hits

… The year 1870 is aptly summarised by the brief entry Darwin made in his journal: ‘The whole of the …
… in relation to Sex’. Always precise in his accounting, Darwin reckoned that he had started writing …
… gathered on each of these topics was far more extensive than Darwin had anticipated. As a result, …
… and St George Jackson Mivart, and heated debates sparked by Darwin’s proposed election to the French …
… proofs of Descent in December, he wrote to his friend Charles Lyell, ‘thank all the powers above …
… ( letter to Albert Günther, 13 January [1870] ). Darwin was still working hard on parts of the …
… style, the more grateful I shall be’ ( letter to H. E. Darwin, [8 February 1870] ). She had …
… , the latter when she was just eighteen years of age. Darwin clearly expected her to make a …
… have thought that I shd. turn parson?’ ( letter to H. E. Darwin, [8 February 1870] ). Henrietta …
… so unimportant as the mind of man!’ ( letter from H. E. Darwin, [after 8 February 1870] ). …
… philanthropist Frances Power Cobbe. At Cobbe’s suggestion, Darwin read some of Immanuel Kant’s …
… ( letter to F. P. Cobbe, 23 March [1870?] ). Cobbe accused Darwin of smiling in his beard with …
… as animals: ears Despite Cobbe’s plea, most of Darwin’s scientific attention in 1870 was …
… fairy in Shakespeare’s A midsummer night’s dream. Darwin obtained a sketch of a human ear from …
… of a pointed tip projecting inward from the folded margin. Darwin, who had posed for the sculptor in …
… this volume, letter to Thomas Woolner, 10 March [1870] ). Darwin included Woolner’s sketch in …
… muscles A more troubling anatomical feature for Darwin was the platysma myoides, a band of …
… of fright’, and one of his photographs, later used by Darwin in Expression , showed a man whose …
… who sent a sketch of a baby’s brows ( letter from L. C. Wedgwood, [5 May 1870] ). He also wrote to …
… (in retrograde direction) naturalist’ (letter to A. R.Wallace, 26 January [1870]). …
… in Paris. Quatrefages had just completed a book, Charles Darwin et ses précurseurs français …

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: 17 hits

… The year 1866 began well for Charles Darwin, as his health, after several years of illness, was now …
… and also a meeting with Herbert Spencer, who was visiting Darwin’s neighbour, Sir John Lubbock. In …
… all but the concluding chapter of the work was submitted by Darwin to his publisher in December. …
… in correspondence throughout the year, as in his remark to Lyell, ‘I quite follow you in thinking …
… in this volume), drawing Darwin, Hooker, and the botanist Charles James Fox Bunbury into the …
… [28 February 1866] ). Darwin also ventured to inform Lyell that he did not support Lyell’s theory …
… you go on, after the startling apparition of your face at R.S. Soirèe—which I dreamed of 2 nights …
… so you are in for it’ ( letter from H. E. Darwin, [ c . 10 May 1866] ). Henrietta’s …
… teleological development ( see for example, letter to C. W. Nägeli, 12 June [1866] ). Also in …
… common broom ( Cytisus scoparius ) and the white broom ( C. multiflorus ) in his botanical …
… and June on the subject of Rhamnus catharticus (now R. cathartica ). Darwin had become …
… of separate sexes. William gathered numerous specimens of R. catharticus , the only species of …
… good, & we have been at it many a long year’ ( letter to Charles Lyell, 15 February [1866] ). …
… replied with a modified list, adding Fritz Müller’s Fü r Darwin , and a recent fossil discovery in …
… selection, and with special creation ( letter from W. R. Grove, 31 August 1866 ). Hooker later …
… indeed at poor Susan’s loneliness’ ( letter from E. C. Langton to Emma and Charles Darwin, [6 and 7 …
… borne it better than we c d have hoped’ ( letter to Charles Lyell, 7 February [1866] ). Susan …

The "wicked book": Origin at 157

Summary

Origin is 157 years old. (Probably) the most famous book in science was published on 24 November 1859. To celebrate we have uploaded hundreds of new images of letters, bringing the total number you can look at here to over 9000 representing more than…

Matches: 11 hits

… book appeared. You can now see examples of letters to Darwin from nearly 250 different people, and …
… Russel Wallace , co-discoverer of natural selection; Charles Lyell , and Joseph Hooker , the …
… Asa Gray who was an important sounding board for Darwin’s emerging ideas, and Thomas Huxley …
… scrap from 1857 comparing his views on species to Darwin’s. Others, like Hugh Falconer , …
… the less well-known scientific collaborators who became Darwin's correspondents, Mary Treat …
… letters from family and friends, including letters between Charles and his wife Emma, and several of …
… was co-opted as an observer in Wales. Lucy Wedgwood , Darwin’s neice, was one of those who …
… parish of Down in Kent, and a lifelong friend of both Charles and Emma, sent information on …
… of water thrown over me on rising William Darwin Fox , Charles ’s cousin and another …
… W. T. Thiselton-Dyer George Cupples H. C. Watson J. J. Weir H. W. Bates …
… Frederick Smith A. G. Butler John Lubbock R. I. Lynch J. B. Burdon Sanderson …

Origin

Summary

Darwin’s most famous work, Origin, had an inauspicious beginning. It grew out of his wish to establish priority for the species theory he had spent over twenty years researching. Darwin never intended to write Origin, and had resisted suggestions in 1856…

Matches: 24 hits

… Darwin’s most famous work, Origin, had an inauspicious beginning. It grew …
… species theory he had spent over twenty years researching. Darwin never intended to write Origin, …
… of the first public presentation of documents relating to Darwin’s species theory together with …
… Down for a few weeks to the Isle of Wight. Although Darwin and Wallace’s papers were …
… . In reply, Hooker provided reassurance by suggesting that Darwin might be able to have 100 to 150 …
… the big book on large and small genera, and was able to tell Darwin ‘ you overrate the extent of my …
… than I now do. ’ Even with this endorsement, Darwin’s spirits remained low. ‘ We are too …
… on 18 July. Just two days later, he told his cousin William Darwin Fox ‘ After all, I am now …
… to whole affair to him: By an odd coincidence, M r Wallace in the Malay Archipelago sent …
… pamphlet. ’ On the 4 October, in a letter to T. C. Eyton explaining his change of plans regarding …
… actively sought criticism from trusted readers like Hooker, Lyell, and Thomas Henry Huxley. He …
… his and Darwin’s species theory had had any effect on Lyell. ‘I think he is somewhat staggered,’ …
… views were apparent when he reported to Wallace that ‘ D r . Hooker has become almost as …
… concern now was to find a suitable publisher, and once again Lyell came to his aid. In late March, …
… of Darwin’s work. In light of this, Darwin asked Lyell whether he should ‘tell Murray that my Book …
… or the preservation of favoured races” ’, he told Lyell. On 31 March 1859, Darwin wrote to Murray …
… you on the same terms as those on which I publish for Sir Charles Lyell ’. Darwin was uneasy. …
… the reception of his book, he shared the proofs with Lyell. ‘I cannot too strongly express my …
… & God knows I have never shirked a difficulty’, he told Lyell on 20 September 1859, ‘ I am …
… in this life. ’ ‘I have just finished your volume’, Lyell told Darwin on 3 October, ‘& right …
… facts on which you ground so many grand generalizations.’ Lyell not only thought Darwin’s book ‘ a …
… 14 to 21 September 1859. Darwin was confident that in time Lyell would be ‘ per verted’, telling …
… I have been thinking that if I am much execrated as atheist &c, whether the admission of …
… of all living beings,—on their lines of migration &c &c. ’ Reference: …

Darwin in letters, 1867: A civilised dispute

Summary

Charles Darwin’s major achievement in 1867 was the completion of his large work, The variation of animals and plants under domestication (Variation). The importance of Darwin’s network of correspondents becomes vividly apparent in his work on expression in…

Matches: 20 hits

… Charles Darwin’s major achievement in 1867 was the completion of his large work, …
… couple of months were needed to index the work, a task that Darwin handed over to someone else for …
… and animals ( Expression ), published in 1872. Although Darwin had been collecting material and …
… A global reputation The importance of Darwin’s network of correspondents becomes vividly …
… who might best answer the questions, with the result that Darwin began to receive replies from …
… Variation would be based on proof-sheets received as Darwin corrected them. Closer to home, two …
… orchids are fertilised by insects ( Orchids ). While Darwin privately gave detailed opinions of …
… hypothesis of pangenesis’. Such was the case, reported by Charles Victor Naudin, of a fan palm, …
… anxious about the reception of pangenesis. He was happy that Charles Lyell had a positive response, …
… will be a somewhat important step in Biology’ ( letter to Charles Lyell, 22 August [1867] ). …
… on the anatomy of expression by medical experts such as Charles Bell and Guillaume Benjamin Amand …
… see your second volume on “The Struggle for Existence &c.” for I doubt if we have a sufficiency …
… “supplemental remarks on expression”’ ( letter to A. R. Wallace, [12–17] March [1867] ). Darwin’s …
… aviary to see whether this was the case ( letter from A. R. Wallace, 24 February [1867] ). He also …
… level. In his response to Wallace ( letter to A. R. Wallace, 26 February [1867] ), Darwin defended …
… to the work I shall find it much better done by you than I c d have succeeded in doing’ ( letter …
… and ‘clever’, but with certain weak parts ( letter to Charles Lyell, 1 June [1867] ). Charles …
… as one who feels himself likely to be beat’ ( letter from Charles Kingsley, 6 June 1867 ). Darwin …
… I have not a word to say against it but such a view c d hardly come into a scientific book’ ( …
… Wallace published a long article, ‘Creation by law’ (A. R. Wallace 1867c), which responded to Jenkin …

Referencing women’s work

Summary

Darwin's correspondence shows that women made significant contributions to Darwin's work, but whether and how they were acknowledged in print involved complex considerations of social standing, professional standing, and personal preference.…

Matches: 12 hits

… Darwin's correspondence shows that women made significant contributions to Darwin's work, …
… set of selected letters is followed by letters relating to Darwin's 1881 publication …
… throughout Variation . Letter 2395 - Darwin to Holland, Miss, [April 1860] …
… anonymised and masculinised. Letter 3316 - Darwin to Nevill, D. F., [12 November …
… Nevill is referenced by name for her “kindness” in Darwin’s Fertilisation of Orchids . …
… science critic. Letter 4370 - Wedgwood, L. C. to Darwin, [April - May 1865] …
… as “friends in Surrey”. Letter 4794 - Darwin to Lyell, C., [25 March 1865] …
… to state that the information was “received through Sir C. Lyell” or received from “Miss. B”. …
… in the final publication. Letter 7223 - Darwin to Wedgwood, L. C., [9 June 1867 - …
… at him. Letter 7345 - Wedgwood, L. C. to Darwin, [15 June 1872] Darwin’s …
… near his house. Letter 8168 - Ruck, A. R. to Darwin, H., [20 January 1872] …
… worm castings . Letter 7345 - Wedgwood, L. C. to Darwin, [15 June 1872] …

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: 19 hits

… | Editors and critics | Assistants Darwin’s correspondence helps bring to light a …
… community. Here is a selection of letters exchanged between Darwin and his workforce of women …
… Women: Letter 1194 - Darwin to Whitby, M. A. T., [12 August 1849] Darwin …
… peculiarities in inheritance. Letter 3787 - Darwin, H. E. to Darwin, [29 October …
… in her garden. Letter 4523 - Wedgwood, L. C. to Darwin, [6 June 1864] …
… Egypt. Letter 7223 - Darwin to Wedgwood, L. C., [8 June 1867 - 72] Darwin …
… Henrietta. Letter 7179 - Wedgwood, L. C. to Darwin, [5 May 1870] …
… the wallpaper. Letter 5756 - Langton, E. & C. to Wedgwood S. E., [after 9 …
… Letter 1701 - Morris, M. H. to Prior, R. C. A., [17 June 1855] Margaretta Hare Morris …
… in Llandudno. Letter 4823 - Wedgwood, L. C. to Darwin, H. E., [May 1865] …
… Letter 8144 - Darwin to Wedgwood, L. C., [5 January 1872] Darwin asks his niece, …
… Lychnis diurna. Letter 8168 - Ruck, A. R . to Darwin, H., [20 January 1872] …
… lawn. Letter 8224 - Darwin to Ruck, A. R., [24 February 1872] Darwin …
… Letter 9606 - Harrison, L. C. to Darwin, [22 August 1874] Darwin’s niece, Lucy, …
… the Isle of White. Letter 4433 - Wright, Charles to Gray, A., [20, 25, 26 March …
… Letter 1701 - Morris, M. H. to Prior, R. C. A., [17 June 1855] Margaretta Hare Morris …
… garden ”. Letter 6083 - Casparay, J. X. R. to Darwin, [2 April 1868] …
… in the future. Letter 4038 - Darwin to Lyell, C., [12-13 March 1863] …
… Letter 7858 - Darwin to Wa llace, A. R., [12 July 1871] Darwin tells Wallace that …

Darwin Correspondence Project

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