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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: 21 hits

… There are summaries of all Darwin's letters from the year 1879 on this website. The full texts …
… 27 of the print edition of The correspondence of Charles Darwin , published by Cambridge …
… to publish a biographical account of his grandfather Erasmus Darwin to accompany a translation of an …
… the sensitivity of the tips. Despite this breakthrough, when Darwin first mentioned the book to his …
… 1879 ). He was also unsatisfied with his account of Erasmus Darwin, declaring, ‘My little biography …
… W. T. Thiselton-Dyer, [after 26] July [1879] ). From July, Darwin had an additional worry: the …
… that his grandfather had felt the same way. In 1792, Erasmus Darwin had written: ‘The worst thing I …
… contained a warmer note and the promise of future happiness: Darwin learned he was to be visited by …
… Hacon, 31 December 1879 ). Seventy years old Darwin’s seventieth birthday on 12 …
… with Charles Darwin and Ernst Haeckel. Kosmos was, as Francis Darwin reported from Germany that …
… the children correctly’, mentioning in particular that Francis Galton was the son of one of Erasmus …
… to contradict false statements that had been published by Francis Galton’s aunt, Mary Anne …
… for Captain Robert FitzRoy on the Beagle voyage, Francis Beaufort of the Admiralty described the …
… and poet’ ( Correspondence vol. 1, letter from Francis Beaufort to Robert FitzRoy, 1 September …
… same man in one volume’, Darwin pointed out to Krause on 5 June , adding that although Krause’s …
… perplexed than ever about life of D r . D’ ( letter to Francis Darwin, 12 July [1879] ). It was …
… beyond his ‘tether’ ( letter to W. T. Thiselton-Dyer, 5 June 1879 , and letter to G. H. Darwin, …
… in plants. Over the previous two years, he and his son Francis had worked together on the …
… of radicles, the embryonic roots of seedlings ( letter to Francis Darwin, 16 June [1879] ). …
… Darwin with information, suggestions, and questions. On 5 February, a stonemason, Thomas Maston, …
… vague probabilities’ ( letter to Nicolai Mengden, 5 June 1879 ). On the very day that Emma …

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: 27 hits

… Below is a list of Darwin's correspondents with the number of letters for each one. …
… (1) Austen, J. T. (5) Austin, A. D. …
… H. (7) Ball, John (5) Ball, Robert …
… G. E. (1) Beaufort, Francis (5) …
… (8) Beneden, Édouard van (5) Bennet, C. A. (b) …
… (1) Birch, Samuel (5) Birkett, Thomas …
… (2) Boner, Charles (5) Bonham-Carter, Alice …
… (2) Bookseller. (5) Boole, M. E. (3) …
… (29) Brace, C. L. (5) Bradfield, Thomas …
… (3) Canby, W. M. (5) Candolle, Alphonse de …
… Carneri, Bartholomäus von (5) Carpenter, W. B. (19) …
… (3) Clark, Andrew (5) Clark, J. W. (a) …
… (2) Collingwood, Cuthbert (5) Colvile, J. W. …
… (1) Cross, George (5) Cross, R. A. …
… (4) Crotch, W. D. (5) Crowe, J. R. …
… Dareste, Camille (9) Darwin family (1) …
… Darwin, Emma (191) Darwin, Francis (287) …
… Everest, Robert (1) Ewbank, Francis (1) …
… Fox, W. D. (225) Francis, George (1) …
… Galton, Erasmus (1) Galton, Francis (118) …
… Archibald (1) Lloyd, Francis (1) …
… Parker, Charles (2) Parker, Francis (1) …
… Walford, Edward (2) Walker, Francis (6) …
… George (2) Warner, Francis (1) …
… F. M. (2) Wedgwood, Francis (4) …
… (2) Wemyss-Charteris-Douglas, Francis (1) …
… White, Adam (2) White, Francis Buchanan (3) …

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: 25 hits

… lessen injury to leaves from radiation In 1878, Darwin devoted most of his attention to …
… organs in this process. Working closely with his son Francis, Darwin devised a series of experiments …
… of most advanced plant laboratories in Europe. While Francis was away, Darwin delighted in …
… from botanical research was provided by potatoes, as Darwin took up the cause of an Irish …
… would rid Ireland of famine. Several correspondents pressed Darwin for his views on religion, …
… closed with remarkable news of a large legacy bequeathed to Darwin by a stranger as a reward for his …
… birthday ( letter to Ernst Haeckel, 12 February [1878] ), Darwin reflected that it was ‘more …
… Expression ), and the final revision of Origin (1872), Darwin had turned almost exclusively to …
… Movement in plants In the spring of 1878, Darwin started to focus on the first shoots and …
… were enrolled as researchers, as were family members. Darwin asked his niece Sophy to observe …
… ( letter to Sophy Wedgwood, 24 March [1878–80] ). While Darwin was studying the function of …
… on one side, then another, to produce movement in the stalk. Darwin compared adult and young leaves …
… (see Movement in plants , pp. 112–13). He explained to Francis on 2 July : ‘I go on maundering …
… after growth has ceased or nearly ceased.’ Finally, Darwin turned to plant motion below the …
… precision the lines of least resistance in the ground.’ Darwin would devote a whole chapter to the …
… out that he missed sensitiveness of apex’ ( letter to Francis Darwin, [11 May 1878] ). …
… the bassoon & apparently more by a high than a low note.’ Francis apparently played the musical …
… on plant movement were intensely collaborative, with Francis playing a more active role than ever. …
… exchanged when they were apart. At the start of June, Francis left to work at Sach’s laboratory in …
… ( letter to W. T. Thiselton-Dyer, 18 June [1878] ). While Francis was away, Darwin sent regular …
… to talk to, about my work, I scribble to you ( letter to Francis Darwin, 7 [July 1878] ). Two …
… is horrid not having you to discuss it with’ ( letter to Francis Darwin, 20 [July 1878] ). …
… topics and dictating experimental method and design. Francis seems to have been allowed to work more …
… ( letter from J.-B. Dumas and Joseph Bertrand, 5 August 1878 ). Despite his many botanical …
… he replied on 9 December, ‘on the other hand I have 5 sons & 2 daughters, & two of my sons …

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: 25 hits

… In May 1881, Darwin, one of the best-known celebrities in England if not the world, began …
… a very old man, who probably will not last much longer.’ Darwin’s biggest fear was not death, but …
… sweetest place on this earth’. From the start of the year, Darwin had his demise on his mind. He …
… provision for the dividing of his wealth after his death. Darwin’s gloominess was compounded by the …
… book on earthworms, published in October, was a boost. His 5 -year-old grandson Bernard, who lived at …
… and new admirers got in touch, and, for all his fears, Darwin found several scientific topics to …
… Evolution old and new when revising his essay on Erasmus Darwin’s scientific work, and that Darwin …
… memory in November 1880 and in an abusive letter about Darwin in the St James’s Gazette on 8 …
… of the false accusation’. Other friends rallied round. Francis Balfour translated Krause’s account …
… Wallace also received the news on 8 January (his 58th birthday) and immediately wrote to Darwin to …
… had been a major undertaking for both Darwin and his son Francis , who assisted in the many …
… by early January, the publishers decided to print ‘500 more, making 2000’ ( letter to H. E. …
… of their behaviour were trustworthy ( letter to Francis Galton, 8 March [1881] ). Although results …
… July, sending the pages to Germany for further checks by Francis Darwin, who was spending the summer …
… Ruskin, who lived there. Sending the last two chapters to Francis on 27 May , Darwin wrote, …
… to begin any new subject requiring much work’, he told Francis Darwin on 30 May . ‘I have been …
… case.’ An additional motivation may have been to support Francis Darwin’s published research on …
… Darwin tried a variety of plants and reagents, telling Francis on 17 October , ‘I have wasted …
… up the job; but I cannot endure to do this’, Darwin told Francis on 9 November , and writing …
… the least conscious of it’ ( letter to Alexander Agassiz, 5 May 1881 ). His scientific friends, …
… Cambridge Scientific Instrument Company led Darwin to chide Francis for giving a klinostat designed …
… supporters, and rejoiced in his election. Promoting Francis ’s own botanical research was as …
… on 27 January for not commending papers presented by Francis at the Linnean Society the previous …
… realised was ‘incumbent’ upon him), Darwin, certain that Francis had not been offended, stated, ‘I …
… not only botanical matters but also news about Francis ’s 5 -year-old son, Bernard. Just ten days …

Wearing his knowledge lightly: From Fritz Müller, 5 April 1878

Summary

Darwin received letters from so many people and wrote so many fascinating letters himself, that it’s hard to choose from many letters that stand out, but one of this editor’s favourites, that always brings a smile, is a letter from Fritz Müller written 5…

Matches: 7 hits

… Darwin received letters from so many people and wrote so many fascinating …
… brings a smile, is a letter from Fritz Müller written 5 April 1878 . Müller was a German …
… laboratory of Santa Catarina province in southern Brazil. Darwin was delighted to find a …
… of phenomena was similar to his own. In short, Darwin and Müller were very much on the same …
… enclosed on Brazilian entomology. These were forwarded by Darwin to the Entomological Society of …
… Transactions Müller then responds to a request from Darwin that he observe Mimosa leaves in …
… cow while on an excursion, but that, unlike the creature/s Darwin had described in his Journal of …

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: 29 hits

… ‘My career’, Darwin wrote towards the end of 1872, ‘is so nearly closed. . . What little more I can …
… of On the origin of species , intended to be Darwin’s last, and of Expression of the …
… books brought a strong if deceptive sense of a job now done: Darwin intended, he declared to Alfred …
… 27 July [1872] ). By the end of the year Darwin was immersed in two of the studies that …
… of books and papers, and the latter formed the subject of Darwin’s last book, The formation of …
… worms , published in the year before his death. Despite Darwin’s declared intention to take up new …
… begun many years before. In his private life also, Darwin was in a nostalgic frame of mind, …
… The last word on Origin The year opened with Darwin, helped by his eldest son William, …
… on 30 January , shortly after correcting the proofs, and Darwin’s concern for the consolidation of …
… you not think 6s is too dear for a cheap Edit? Would not 5s be better? . . . The public are …
… and sixth editions were costly to incorporate, and despite Darwin’s best efforts, set the final …
… closely involved in every stage of publication of his books, Darwin was keen to ensure that this …
… to bring out the new edition in the United States, Darwin arranged with Murray to have it …
… had to be reset. The investment in stereotype reinforced Darwin’s intention to make no further …
… A worsening breach The criticisms against which Darwin had taken the greatest trouble to …
… objections to the theory of natural selection’, Darwin refuted point by point assertions published …
… Although Mivart was among those who wrote in January to wish Darwin a happy new year, before the …
… critical and anonymously published review of Descent . Darwin’s supporters had rallied to his …
… appear’, complained Darwin ( letter to St G. J. Mivart, 5 January 1872 ). Piqued, Mivart flung …
… accepted it at least in part ( letter to August Weismann, 5 April 1872 ). ‘I wanted some …
… to believe it’ ( letter to Herman Müller, [before 5 May 1872] ). Müller had sent him a …
… myself was standing’ ( letter to Hermann Müller, [before 5 May 1872] ). Finishing …
… drawings shortly afterwards ( letter from Samuel Butler to Francis Darwin, [before 30 May 1872] , …
… to me, which have ever been made’ ( letter to Mary Treat, 5 January 1872 ). In June, Lady …
… the claims of spiritualists, and Darwin, through his cousin Francis Galton, had with some interest …
… seemed likely to outstrip supply; the initial print run of 5000 was increased to 7000, but although …
… a photograph (see Correspondence vol. 20, plate p. 562); Darwin thanked Lewis Carroll, and …
… however, incorporated in the second edition, produced by Francis Darwin after his father’s death. …
… new name on the list of volunteers: by the beginning of May, Francis Darwin, the Darwins’ third son, …

Darwin in letters, 1876: In the midst of life

Summary

1876 was the year in which the Darwins became grandparents for the first time. And tragically lost their daughter-in-law, Amy, who died just days after her son's birth. All the letters from 1876 are now published in volume 24 of The Correspondence…

Matches: 19 hits

… The year 1876 started out sedately enough with Darwin working on the first draft of his book on the …
… games. ‘I have won, hurrah, hurrah, 2795 games’, Darwin boasted; ‘my wife … poor creature, has won …
… regarding the ailments that were so much a feature of Darwin family life. But the calm was not to …
… the first member of the next generation of the family, with Francis and Amy’s child expected in …
… four days later. ‘I cannot bear to think of the future’, Darwin confessed to William on 11 …
… once, the labour of checking proofs proved a blessing, as Darwin sought solace for the loss of his …
… had involved much time and effort the previous year, and Darwin clearly wanted to focus his …
… When Smith, Elder and Company proposed reissuing two of Darwin’s three volumes of the geology of …
… single-volume edition titled Geological observations , Darwin resisted making any revisions at …
… Darwin reassured his close friend Joseph Hooker that he and Francis would attend the meeting. Darwin …
… subject takes an opposite line’. Although he conceded that Francis had the best of an argument with …
… to propose the young rising star of Cambridge morphology, Francis Maitland Balfour, for fellowship …
… Michael Foster), he requested an abstract of the report. On 5 May, Darwin had the unenviable task …
… of the earliest available commercial models of typewriter. Francis Darwin and his wife, Amy, …
… point, and he was reliant on his son George and cousin Francis Galton for the calculations. ‘I have …
… in their research. He revelled in the praise heaped on Francis by George Henry Lewes for an article …
… chemical pycrotoxine in vivisection experiments ( letter to Francis Darwin, [1 May 1876] ). Darwin …
… 2 May [1876] ). Darwin even cautioned the otherwise healthy Francis , ‘Take care and do not overwork …
… told that the book was dull ( letter to Otto Zacharias, 5 October [1876] ). Darwin repeated the …

Movement in Plants

Summary

The power of movement in plants, published on 7 November 1880, was the final large botanical work that Darwin wrote. It was the only work in which the assistance of one of his children, Francis Darwin, is mentioned on the title page. The research for this…

Matches: 22 hits

… 7 November 1880, was the final large botanical work that Darwin wrote. It was the only work in which …
… about their research while he was away from home. Although Darwin lacked a state of the art research …
… research being pursued by other naturalists who, like Francis , had come to this centre for the study …
… methods and use the most advanced laboratory equipment. Darwin also benefitted from the instrument …
… copied but also improved on some of the apparatuses that Francis had been introduced to at Würzburg. …
… plant physiology, but it was at its core informed by Darwin’s theory of evolution, particularly by …
… early 1860s, at a time when his health was especially bad, Darwin had taken up the study of climbing …
… reproduced as a small book, giving it a much wider audience. Darwin was not the first naturalist to …
… which eventually appeared in 1875. In the same year, Darwin published a much longer work, …
… about the nature of movement, so much so, that at one point Darwin had considered combining the …
… digestive processes. With his final great botanical work, Darwin would attempt ‘ to bring all the …
… emotions had their origins in non-human animal expression. Darwin had not done experimental work in …
… from all over Europe and beyond. When Darwin’s son Francis worked in this laboratory in the summers …
… had also asked Horace to discuss the point with his friend Francis Balfour(258). Darwin promised to …
… of any success. '. Just two months later, Darwin put Francis in charge of this aspect of the …
… more familiar with the research in Sachs’s laboratory as Francis ’s departure for Würzburg was …
… to Wurzburg, & work by myself will be dull work’ . Francis was in Würzburg until early August. …
… good instruments were never far from Darwin’s thinking. Francis viewed the new instruments he was …
… design an improved version of the instrument, a klinostat; Francis later described and illustrated …
… by the root. Movement in plants , p. 531. Francis was undeterred by Sachs …
… for cotton seeds. He also worried, ‘ I have just put 5 of the seeds of Megarrhiza to soak, but only …
… the relevant page numbers ( letter to Francis Darwin, 5 August [1880] ). Darwin was also very …

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: 24 hits

… evolution, sexual selection, and the expression of emotions, Darwin was able to devote 1873 almost …
… (1875) and Cross and self fertilisation (1876). Darwin’s son Francis became increasingly …
… career to become his father’s scientific secretary. Darwin had always relied on assistance from …
… the previous year. As was typical, readers wrote to Darwin personally to offer suggestions, …
… some of which were incorporated in a later edition. Darwin also contributed to discussions in the …
… in animals. The subject was brought closer to home by Francis Galton’s work on inherited talent, …
… Station at Naples. Plants that eat and feel? Darwin had resumed experiments on the …
… 12 January [1873] ). Drosera was the main focus of Darwin’s study of insectivorous plants, a …
… and alkaloids, and even electrical stimulation. On sending Darwin a specimen of the carnivorous …
… ( letter from J. D. Hooker, 12 January 1873 ). Darwin found that the glandular hairs on the …
… to bend inward, so that the plant closed like a fist. Darwin was fascinated by this transmission of …
… plants , p. 63). The plants secreted a viscid fluid, which Darwin suspected attracted insects by …
… ., p. 17). Through a series of painstaking experiments, Darwin determined that the secretions …
… Poisons and electrocution . . . His son Francis was assisting the histologist Edward Emanuel …
… of medical research in London. On the advice of Klein, Francis obtained a new microscope for his …
… on botany, he drew more on assistance from his son Francis . While visiting his fiancée, Amy Ruck, in …
… notes and take tracings of their burrows” ( letter from Francis Darwin, 14 August [1873] ). …
… [1873] ). Shortly afterwards, it was arranged for Francis to rent a house in the village (Down …
… to H. E. Litchfield, 20 February 1873 ). The surgeon Francis Stephen Bennet Francois de Chaumont, …
… of instinct and inheritance when he was asked by his cousin Francis Galton to participate in a study …
… aims but regarded the project as “utopian” ( letter to Francis Galton, 4 January [1873] ). …
… and investing money very well” ( letter to Francis Galton, 28 May 1873 ). Among character traits, …
… his own character, he asked his sons to complete the list. Francis added to his father’s virtues: …
… happiness & enjoyment in life” ( letter to G. H. Darwin, 5 March [1873] ). Darwin worried too …

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: 26 hits

… Ever since the publication of Expression , Darwin’s research had centred firmly on botany. The …
… of these projects would culminate in a major publication. Darwin’s botany was increasingly a …
… assisted his father’s research on movement and bloom, and Darwin in turn encouraged his son’s own …
… The year 1877 was more than usually full of honours. Darwin received two elaborate photograph albums …
… from Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. Closer to home, Darwin received an honorary Doctorate of …
… sites for possible earthworm activity. Now in his 69th year, Darwin remained remarkably productive, …
… no controversy. In his autobiographical reflections, Darwin remarked: ‘no little discovery of …
… (‘Recollections’, p. 419). During the winter and spring, Darwin was busy preparing the manuscript of …
… and presented to the Linnean Society of London. In the book, Darwin adopted the more recent term …
… as dimorphic without comparing pollen-grains & stigmas’, Darwin remarked to Joseph Dalton …
… measurements of the size and number of pollen-grains, Darwin compared the fertility of individual …
… primrose and purple loosestrife. In the course of his work, Darwin found a number of other …
… dreadful work making out anything about dried flowers’, Darwin complained to Asa Gray on 8 March …
… which include heterstyled species. This pleases me.’. Darwin dedicated the book to Gray, ‘as a small …
… separate publications together into a larger whole enabled Darwin to advance more speculative views …
… we sh d . have broken down’, Darwin wrote back on 5 September . ‘As it is we have made out …
… In the end, Darwin did not publish on the subject, but Francis later reported some of the results of …
… 25 August 1877 ). At Down House, Darwin and Francis devised a method of recording leaf …
… with thread, card, and bits of glass. Encouraging Francis Darwin greatly enjoyed …
… eminent German botanist Ferdinand Julius Cohn, who confirmed Francis ’s observations: ‘the most …
… flagella of some Infusoria’ ( letter from F. J. Cohn, 5 August 1877 ). Francis ’s paper eventually …
… had visited Down House and become friendly with George and Francis . He wrote to Francis on 24 …
… ‘As for “natural selection”’, he wrote to Francis on 25 November , ‘frankly to me it now seems a …
… for he began to receive petitions from strangers. The writer Francis Lloyd, who was in poor health …
… for his further work. Lloyd had written a critique of Francis Galton’s theory of heredity in 1876, …
… will allow me to send you a cheque for £10’ ( letter to [Francis Lloyd], 1 May [1877] ). Another …

Darwin in letters, 1871: An emptying nest

Summary

The year 1871 was an extremely busy and productive one for Darwin, with the publication in February of his long-awaited book on human evolution, Descent of man. The other main preoccupation of the year was the preparation of his manuscript on expression.…

Matches: 25 hits

… The year 1871 was an extremely busy and productive one for Darwin, seeing the publication of his …
… book out of my head’. But a large proportion of Darwin’s time for the rest of the year was devoted …
… way, and the initial reception of the book in the press. Darwin fielded numerous letters from …
… offered sharp criticism or even condemnation. Darwin had expected controversy. ‘I shall be …
… a bare-faced manner.”‘ The most lively debate centred on Darwin’s evolutionary account of the …
… taste. Correspondence with his readers and critics helped Darwin to clarify, and in some cases …
… year was the preparation of his manuscript on expression. Darwin continued to investigate the …
… also brought a significant milestone for the family, as Darwin’s eldest daughter Henrietta was …
… during several past years, has been a great amusement’. Darwin had been working fairly continuously …
… work on species theory in the late 1830s. In recent years, Darwin had collected a wealth of material …
… to human evolution was comparatively small, reflecting Darwin’s aim of showing kinship with animals …
… he is “torn to pieces” by people wanting copies’, Darwin wrote to his son Francis on 28 February …
… letter from J. D. Hooker, 26 March 1871 ). The profits for Darwin were considerable. After …
… man.’ Promoting the book As usual, Darwin did his best to obtain a wide and favourable …
… (see Correspondence vol. 19, Appendix IV). Four of Darwin’s five sons received a copy, and his …
… liberal or orthodox. The American philosopher and journalist Francis Ellingwood Abbot incorporated …
… his ‘clerical brethren’ ( letter from George Henslow, 5 December 1871 ). Ernst Haeckel boasted of …
… of all times and all circumstances’ (8 April 1871, p. 5 ). Darwin condemned the author of the review …
… man & we were the best of friends’, he wrote to his son Francis on 28 February . However, …
… Darwin had been receiving regular reports from his cousin Francis Galton on the progress of …
… in order to facilitate cross-circulation ( letter from Francis Galton, 13 September 1871 ). …
… science ( letter to Horace Darwin, [15 December 1871] ). Francis was now studying medicine at St …
… of Trinity College, planned a trip to America, and invited Francis and two Cambridge friends. Darwin …
… be almost superhuman virtue to give it up’ ( letter to Francis Darwin, 16 May [1871] ). Darwin …
… ( letter from H. E. Litchfield to Charles and Emma Darwin, [5 November 1871] ). Her husband …

Darwin in letters, 1880: Sensitivity and worms

Summary

‘My heart & soul care for worms & nothing else in this world,’ Darwin wrote to his old Shrewsbury friend Henry Johnson on 14 November 1880. Darwin became fully devoted to earthworms in the spring of the year, just after finishing the manuscript of…

Matches: 23 hits

… heart & soul care for worms & nothing else in this world,’ Darwin wrote to his old …
… to adapt to varying conditions. The implications of Darwin’s work for the boundary between animals …
… studies of animal instincts by George John Romanes drew upon Darwin’s early observations of infants, …
… of evolution and creation. Many letters flowed between Darwin and his children, as he took delight …
… Financial support for science was a recurring issue, as Darwin tried to secure a Civil List pension …
… with Samuel Butler, prompted by the publication of Erasmus Darwin the previous year. …
… Charles Harrison Tindal, sent a cache of letters from two of Darwin’s grandfather’s clerical friends …
… divines to see a pig’s body opened is very amusing’, Darwin replied, ‘& that about my …
… registry offices, and produced a twenty-page history of the Darwin family reaching back to the …
… the world’ ( letter from J. L. Chester, 3 March 1880 ). Darwin’s sons George and Leonard also …
… and conciliate a few whose ancestors had not featured in Darwin’s Life . ‘In an endeavour to …
… think I must pay a round of visits.’ One cousin, Reginald Darwin, warmed to George: ‘he had been …
… an ordinary mortal who could laugh’ ( letter from W. E. Darwin to Charles and Emma Darwin, 22 July …
… Mr Butler whatever.’ Power of movement With Francis ’s assistance, the last of Darwin’s …
… ill founded, however, for the book sold out quickly, and 500 more copies had to be printed at the …
… of the nervous system, and the nature of ‘sensitivity’. Francis Balfour described Movement in …
… the intake of stones and flints to aid digestion. He asked Francis to check for castings on old …
… and Expression . He offered detailed comments on 5 February : ‘I should have thought that the …
… rightly thought the ‘queer subject’ of interest to Francis Galton, who had already taken thumb …
… extending the study to public-school pupils ( letter to Francis Galton, 7 April 1880 , and …
… rather trying I fear when he is not very strong He is 57 years of age and has been much discouraged …
… aid, and it will be a grievous shame … I would subscribe £50 but I have not strength or time to go …
… William’s interest in geology, and longed to see Francis elected fellow of the Royal Society. He …

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: 20 hits

… When Darwin resumed systematic research on emotions around 1866, he began to collect …
… ease of distribution sometime in late 1867 or early 1868. Darwin went over his questions, refining …
… was the collection of observations on a global scale. Darwin was especially interested in peoples …
… cultural and conventional, or instinctive and universal. Darwin used his existing correspondence …
… and with the mouth a little drawn back at the corners?” Darwin’s questionnaire was an extension of …
… was also carefully devised so as to prevent the feelings of Darwin’s remote observers from colouring …
… and not the susceptibilities of a moral nature.” Darwin did not typically countenance such …
… the collection of information to its display in print. After Darwin received all of the replies to …
… except “yes” or “no.” “The same state of mind” Darwin would later assert in Expression of the …
… uniformity.” Table of Correspondence about Darwin’s Questionnaire (click on the letter …
… could available online ahead of schedule as part of the “Darwin and Human Nature” project, funded by …
… Bowman, William 5 Aug 1867 5 Clifford St, London, …
… Southampton, England letter to W.E. Darwin shrugging/pouting of …
… blushing Darwin, Francis 20 June 1867 …
… Bartlett and S. Sutton Darwin, Francis …
… pouting Darwin, W.E. [after 29 March 1868] …
… blushing in blind students Darwin, W.E. [7 …
… blushing Darwin, W.E. [22? April 1868] …
… from Mansel Weale Galton, Francis 7 Nov …
… Hooker, J.D. 5 Sept 1868 Kew, London (about Nagasaki …

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: 26 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 …
… to man’s place in nature both had a direct bearing on Darwin’s species theory and on the problem …
… as he put it in a letter to J. D. Hooker of 24[–5 ] February [1863] . When Huxley’s book described …
… in expressing any judgment on Species or origin of man’. Darwin’s concern about the popular …
… Lyell’s and Huxley’s books. Three years earlier Darwin had predicted that Lyell’s forthcoming …
… first half of 1863 focused attention even more closely on Darwin’s arguments for species change. …
… ‘groan’ ( letter to Charles Lyell, 6 March [1863] ). Darwin reiterated in a later letter that it …
… of creation, and the origin of species particularly, worried Darwin; he told Hooker that he had once …
… mentor had not said a word ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 24[–5 ] February [1863] ). Darwin did …
… ( letter to Charles Lyell, 6 March [1863] ). Nevertheless, Darwin’s regret was profound that the …
… the ‘brutes’, but added that he would bring many towards Darwin who would have rebelled against …
… from Charles Lyell, 11 March 1863 ). The botanist Asa Gray, Darwin’s friend in the United States, …
… off ( see letter from Asa Gray, 20 April 1863 ). In May, Darwin responded to Gray that Lyell’s and …
… or Modification, ’. Faction fighting Darwin was not alone in feeling disaffected …
… in the subject. ‘The worst of it is’, Hooker wrote to Darwin, ‘I suppose it is virtually Huxley’s …
… for a fitting opportunity’ ( letter to Hugh Falconer, 5 [and 6] January [1863] ). …
… been filled in the fossil record ( letter to Hugh Falconer, 5 [and 6] January [1863] ). Only until …
… the Athenæum in response ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 5 March [1863] ). He later expressed …
… honours like the Copley Medal ( see letter to J. D. Hooker, 5 [December 1863] ). Plants and …
… by them (see Correspondence vol. 11, Appendix IX). Francis Darwin later wrote of his father’s …
… reminder of their loss (see Correspondence vol. 5 ). Unable to find Annie’s gravestone in 1863, …

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: 17 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 …
… garden. Letter 4523 - Wedgwood, L. C. to Darwin, [6 June 1864] Darwin’s …
… of emotion in her pet dog and birds. Letter 5817 - Darwin to Huxley, T. H., [30 …
… Letter 7179 - Wedgwood, L. C. to Darwin, [5 May 1870] Darwin’s niece, Lucy, …
… moved one or two of them into his bedroom. Letter 5602 - Sutton, S. to Darwin, [8 …
… of emotion in chimpanzees and orangs. Letter 5705 - Haast, J. F. J. von to Darwin, …
… attracted to dark spots on the wallpaper. Letter 5756 - Langton, E. & C. to …
… Letter 8144 - Darwin to Wedgwood, L. C., [5 January 1872] Darwin asks his niece, …
… Darwin, [9 January 1871] Darwin’s brother-in-law, Francis , reports on the appearance and …
… tells her eldest son, William, that her third eldest son, Francis , is receiving help with his plant …
… February 1857] Darwin’s nephew, Edmund, writes to Francis with the results of his …
… undertaken at Darwin’s suggestion. Letter 5254 - Hildebrand, F. H. G. to Darwin, …
… in his home. Letter 10517 - Darwin to Francis , F., [29 May 1876] Darwin …
… Letter 10517 - Darwin t o Francis , F., [29 May 1876] Darwin gives his son, Francis …

Cross and self fertilisation

Summary

The effects of cross and self fertilisation in the vegetable kingdom, published on 10 November 1876, was the result of a decade-long project to provide evidence for Darwin’s belief that ‘‘Nature thus tells us, in the most emphatic manner, that she abhors…

Matches: 29 hits

… the result of a decade-long project to provide evidence for Darwin’s belief that ‘‘Nature thus tells …
… on plants with two or three different forms of flowers, Darwin had focused on the anatomical and …
… of different forms of pollen. Although many plants that Darwin observed had flowers with adaptations …
… rates, growth, and constitutional vigour. Although Darwin was no stranger to long months and years …
… … is highly remarkable’ In September 1866, Darwin announced to the American botanist …
… several years ( To Édouard Bornet, 1 December 1866 ). Darwin began a series of experiments, …
… ). It was only after a new season of experiments that Darwin would confirm that this poppy shed its …
… access to flowers was only the tip of the iceberg. Darwin next focused on the California …
… conditions’ ( From Fritz Müller, 1 December 1866 ). Darwin’s interest was piqued and he described …
… when self-fertilised, although fewer than crossed plants. Darwin sent some of these seeds to Müller, …
… [1868] ). Müller, in turn, sent seeds from his plants to Darwin and both men continued to …
… Müller remarked, on receiving a new batch of seeds from Darwin, ‘that it was ‘curious to see, on …
… ( From Fritz Müller, 15 June 1869 ). By May 1870, Darwin reported that he was ‘rearing crossed …
… From a fairly early stage in his experimental programme, Darwin began to pay more attention to the …
… the sweet pea ( Lathyrus odoratus ), and in October 1867, Darwin wrote to James Moggridge to ask …
… of the year ( To J. T. Moggridge, 1 October [1867] ). Darwin was beginning to suspect that the …
… simply did not exist in Britain. During a visit to Darwin in May 1866, Robert Caspary, a …
… by the former ( From Robert Caspary, 18 February 1868 ). Darwin eagerly requested seed from both …
… was published on 30 January 1868. In April 1868, Darwin informed George Bentham, ‘I am …
… or autumn I hope to publish a long Essay, the result of 5 or 6 years work, on the comparative growth …
… for agriculture and horticulture ( From Federico Delpino, 5 December 1871 ). When Darwin began …
… 8 January 1876] ). It was his cousin, the statistician Francis Galton, who provided a statistical …
… to publish the report in the introduction to the book ( To Francis Galton, 13 January [1876] ). …
… 6 June 1876] ). The project proved to be too complex and Francis Darwin later recalled, ‘the …
… it to complete the set of all my works, I would suggest 1,500’ ( To R. F. Cooke, 16 September 1876 …
… birth of Darwin’s first grandchild, a son born to Amy and Francis Darwin on 7 September, suddenly …
… if, as I expect, you find it too much for you’ ( To Francis Darwin, 16 September [1876] ). Francis …
… have accepted all, though some slightly modified’ ( To Francis Darwin, 20 September [1876] ). …
… ‘Your corrections are very good & very useful’ ( To Francis Darwin 25 September [1876] ). …

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: 25 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 …
… Finishing Descent; postponing Expression Darwin began receiving proofs of some of the …
… ( 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 …
… furrows radiating on the side of the neck of his son Francis when he was playing the flute. …
… without hurting it much?’ ( letter to A. D. Bartlett, 5 January [1870] ). Darwin made a similar …
… Darwin received a string of letters from his cousin Francis Galton, reporting on his efforts to …
… by breaking adjacent veins into one’ ( letter from Francis Galton, 25 June 1870 ). Occasionally …
… the latest litters has a white forefoot’ ( letter from Francis Galton, 12 May 1870 ). But in …
… an old fellow as I daresay I appear to you Francis completed his studies at Cambridge, …
… an old fellow as I daresay I appear to you’ ( letter to Francis Darwin, 18 October [1870] ). …

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: 27 hits

… In April 1838, Darwin began recording the titles of books he had read and the books he wished …
… used these notebooks extensively in dating and annotating Darwin’s letters; the full transcript …
… *128). For clarity, the transcript does not record Darwin’s alterations. The spelling and …
… book had been consulted. Those cases where it appears that Darwin made a genuine deletion have been …
… a few instances, primarily in the ‘Books Read’ sections, Darwin recorded that a work had been …
… of the books listed in the other two notebooks. Sometimes Darwin recorded that an abstract of the …
… own. Soon after beginning his first reading notebook, Darwin began to separate the scientific …
… the second reading notebook. Readers primarily interested in Darwin’s scientific reading, therefore, …
… editors’ identification of the book or article to which Darwin refers. A full list of these works is …
… page number (or numbers, as the case may be) on which Darwin’s entry is to be found. The …
… are not found listed here. The description given by Francis Darwin of his father’s method of …
… Darwin Library (AC.34). Darwin’s books were bequeathed to Francis Darwin, who, in 1908, gave all but …
… to be available to scholars using the archive. Books that Francis Darwin had kept were left to his …
… de Gembloux 1839]. Said to be good by D r L. Lindsay 5 [DAR *119: 1v.] 6 …
… [Coxe 1817].— in Library of Hort. Soc. [DAR *119:5v.] M c .Neil 16 has …
… p. 290 “Thacker” [Thacker 1834–5 ] p. 291 Athenæum 1839. p. …
… of British Birds by W. Macgillivray [W. Macgillivray 1837–52].— I should think well worth reading. …
… Soc Siebold’s Japan [P. F. B. von Siebold 1833–50]— d[itt]o Kalm’s Travels in N. …
… The Philosoph. of Instinct & Reason by S. Bushnan. Longman. 5 s [Bushnan 1837]—dedicated to L …
… 1828] 31 An analysis of British Ferns. G. W. Francis 4 s [Francis 1837]— plates of …
… 1821] Encyclop of Anat & Phys [Todd ed. 1836–59] [DAR *119: 14] Butler …
… [Lacordaire 1834–8]: Reptiles [Duméril and Bibron 1834–54]: Crustacea Milne Edwards [Milne-Edwards …
… Traite Elementair Palæontologie M. Pictet [Pictet 1844–5 ]— Forbes?? Waterhouse has it— 1844— read …
… work is listed again on p. [22]. 44 Probably Francis Boott. 45 Edward …
… Africa . London. *119: 18v.; 119: 14a Bacon, Francis . 1825–36. The works of Francis …
… ed. London. [Darwin Library.] 128: 12 Castelnau, Francis , Comte de. 1846. M. de Castelnau …
… of Linnæus . n.p. 119: 4a Davis, John Francis . 1852. China, during war and since …

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: 28 hits

… Towards the end of 1862, Darwin resolved to build a small hothouse at Down House, for ‘experimental …
… hothouse early in 1863 marked something of a milestone in Darwin’s botanical work, since it greatly …
… account book (Down House MS) and Correspondence vol. 5 , letter to J. D. Hooker, 19 April [1855 …
… Though his greenhouse was probably heated to some extent, Darwin found himself on several occasions …
… make observations and even experiments on his behalf. Darwin’s decision to build a hothouse …
… Hooker, 12 [December 1862] and n. 13). Initially, Darwin purchased for this purpose a glass …
… of 24 December [1862] ( Correspondence vol. 10) Darwin told Hooker: I have …
… Encyclopedia of gardening (Loudon 1835), a copy of which Darwin signed in 1841 (see the copy in …
… of heat’ (p. 1100). The latter was the sense in which Darwin used the word. The building of …
… Hayes, and cost a total of £85 11s. 1d.; this included £22 5s. for Horwood, who superintended the …
… accounts (Down House MS)). When it was completed, Darwin told Turnbull that without Horwood’s aid he …
… ). Even before work on the hothouse started, however, Darwin began making preparations to …
… plants’ (letter to J. D. Hooker, 13 January [1863] ). Darwin apparently refers to the catalogues …
… whom he had dealt over many years. In his letter to Hooker, Darwin mentioned that he hoped to be …
… beauty in each leaf’ (letter to J. D. Hooker, 24[–5 ] February [1863] ). Darwin’s aesthetic …
… to which they belonged. In his letter to Hooker of 5 March [1863] , he announced that the plants …
… Candolle 1882, p. 495). The greenhouses were, according to Francis Darwin, the first port of call on …
… by Darwin; these lists are in DAR 255: 8 and DAR 255: 2–5 . The first is a list that Darwin …
… plants sent to him by Hooker (see letter to J. D. Hooker, 5 March [1863] ), since many of the …
… to Darwin from Kew. Darwin said in the letter to Hooker of 5 March [1863] that he had received …
… Malpighia urens 5 …
… —— speciosa 5 do. do. …
… § Gongora atropurpurea 5 § Cyrtopodium Andersonii …
… § —— maculata 5 —— punctata 10 …
… Anoectochilus argenteus 12 5 s . § …
… curassavica. 4. Canna Warszewiczii. 5 . ‘speciosa’ deleted in pencil. 6. This …
… 1863a, p. 10. See also letter to J. D. Hooker, 24[–5 ] February [1863] and n. 19. 9. …
… aurantiaca 12. ‘Anoectochilus argenteus 5 s .’ deleted in ink. 13. ‘—— pictus 8 …

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 Correspondence Project

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