skip to content

Darwin Correspondence Project

Search: contains ""

400 Bad Request

Bad Request

Your browser sent a request that this server could not understand.


Apache Server at dcp-public.lib.cam.ac.uk Port 443
Search:
in keywords
16 Items

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: 4 hits

  • … Editors and critics  |  Assistants Darwin’s correspondence helps bring to light a …
  • … Darwin's daughter, Henrietta. Letter 7179 - Wedgwood, L. C. to Darwin, [5 …
  • … the wallpaper. Letter 5756 - Langton, E. & C. to Wedgwood S. E., [after 9 …
  • … on information and fieldwork results from her father, Josiah Wedgwood II. The fieldwork was …

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. …

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: 4 hits

  • … Darwin's correspondence shows that women made significant contributions to Darwin's work, …
  • … selected letters is followed by letters relating to Darwin's 1881 publication Vegetable …
  • … Henrietta, about how best to reference her husband’s contribution to a chapter on music in …
  • … her editorial work on Expression . While her husband's contribution to the same work was …

Have you read the one about....

Summary

... the atheistical cats, or the old fogies in Cambridge? We've suggested a few - some funny, some serious - but all letters you can read here.

Matches: 1 hits

  • … ... the atheistical cats, or the old fogies in Cambridge? We've suggested a few - some funny, some …

Darwin in letters, 1882: Nothing too great or too small

Summary

In 1882, Darwin reached his 74th year Earthworms had been published the previous October, and for the first time in decades he was not working on another book. He remained active in botanical research, however. Building on his recent studies in plant…

Matches: 14 hits

  • … came on 19 April. Plans were made for a burial in St Mary’s churchyard in Down, where his brother …
  • … Botanical observation and experiment had long been Darwin’s greatest scientific pleasure. The year …
  • … contents, if immersed for some hours in a weak solution of C. of Ammonia’. Darwin’s interest in root …
  • … vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, and beets. Romanes’s experiments had been conducted to lend …
  • … asymmetric, thus facilitating cross-fertilisation. Darwin’s aim, he said, was just to ‘have the …
  • … 1882 ). Earthworms and evolution Darwin’s last book, Earthworms , had been …
  • … V). The conservative Quarterly Review , owned by Darwin’s publisher John Murray, carried an …
  • … them half the worm had disappeared down the frog’s throat. I watched them for a quarter of an hour …
  • … with both combatants the worse for wear. Darwin’s writing on human evolution continued to …
  • … famous writer Louisa May Alcott. The importance of Darwin’s work in inspiring future research was …
  • … of art (Collier 1882), which seemed to follow Darwin’s views on the aesthetic sense of animals, …
  • … February 1882 ). Collier had married Thomas Henry Huxley’s daughter Marian. He returned the joke: …
  • … William Jenner, 20 March [1882] ; see also letter from T. L Brunton, 12 February 1882 , and …
  • … and journals by Lyell’s sister-in-law Katherine (see K. M. Lyell ed. 1881, 2: 445–6). A complete …

Science: A Man’s World?

Summary

Discussion Questions|Letters Darwin's correspondence show that many nineteenth-century women participated in the world of science, be it as experimenters, observers, editors, critics, producers, or consumers. Despite this, much of the…

Matches: 4 hits

  • … Discussion Questions | Letters Darwin's correspondence show that many nineteenth …
  • … Jnr. seeks Darwin-family support for Elizabeth Garrett’s candidacy for the position of Professorship …
  • … selection for debates about marriage. Since reading Darwin’s work a “flood of questions” have …
  • … to as such questions “seem almost out of a woman’s natural thinking”. Letter 8079 - …

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: 10 hits

  • … to adapt to varying conditions. The implications of Darwin’s work for the boundary between animals …
  • … animal instincts by George John Romanes drew upon Darwin’s early observations of infants, family …
  • … Controversy and Erasmus Darwin Darwin’s most recent book, Erasmus Darwin , had been …
  • … generations. He continued to receive letters about Erasmus’s life and other bits of family history. …
  • … Tindal, sent a cache of letters from two of Darwin’s grandfather’s clerical friends, full of lively …
  • … the eagerness of the two learned divines to see a pig’s body opened is very amusing’, Darwin replied …
  • … been co-authored with Ernst Krause, whose essay on Erasmus’s scientific work complemented Darwin’s …
  • … Krause, 9 June [1879] ). The final text of the Krause’s essay did not mention Butler’s book …
  • … Darwin to Emma Darwin, [18 September 1880] ). Darwin’s Wedgwood nieces, Sophy and Lucy, were asked …
  • … of several close family members. Emma’s brother Josiah Wedgwood III died on 11 March. Like Emma, he …

Women as a scientific audience

Summary

Target audience? | Female readership | Reading Variation Darwin's letters, in particular those exchanged with his editors and publisher, reveal a lot about his intended audience. Regardless of whether or not women were deliberately targeted as a…

Matches: 12 hits

  • … readership | Reading Variation Darwin's letters, in particular those …
  • … variety of women had access to, and engaged with, Darwin's published works. A set of letters on …
  • … May 1859] Darwin expresses anxiety over Hooker’s suggestion that his writing style might …
  • … H. E., [8 February 1870] Darwin seeks Henrietta’s editorial help with chapters three and …
  • … got hold of it first. Darwin’s female readership Letter …
  • … with which to work. She has transcribed parts of Darwin’s papers, including diagrams, to share with …
  • … "epistolary acquaintance" of his, Sara Hennell . Hennell's writings show a " …
  • … range of evidence in order to raise questions about Darwin’s conclusions, in particular his …
  • … - Barnard, A. to Darwin, [30 March 1871] J. S. Henslow’s daughter, Anne, responds to …
  • … The poet Emily Pfeiffer responds critically to Darwin’s theory of sexual selection. She has read …
  • … selection for debates over marriage. Since reading Darwin’s work a “flood of questions” have …
  • … to as such questions “seem almost...out of a woman’s natural thinking”. Letter 8778 …

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: 23 hits

  • …   On the origin of   species , intended to be Darwins last, and of  Expression of the emotions
  • and papers, and the latter formed the subject of Darwins last bookThe formation of   …
  • … , published in the year before his deathDespite Darwins declared intention to take up new work, …
  • … , shortly after correcting the proofs, and Darwins concern for the consolidation of his legacy is
  • editions were costly to incorporate, and despite Darwins best efforts, set the final price at 7 s. …
  • let alone the fifthPrinting of the proofs of Moulinié’s translation of the fifth English edition
  • This complex operation, combined with Moulinié’s increasingly poor health, led to yet further delay, …
  • be resetThe investment in stereotype reinforced Darwins intention to make no further changes to
  • relations between them irretrievably break down. Mivarts book had been followed by a highly
  • a copy of an article replying to Thomas Henry Huxleys scathing review of  Genesis of species , …
  • philosopher Chauncey Wright. The republication of Wrights paper had been arranged by Darwin himself
  • St GJMivart, 8 January [1872] ).  Despite Darwins request that he drop the correspondence, …
  • to ARWallace, 3 August [1872] ).  Darwin's theories under siege The whole
  • German zoologist Anton Dohrn on 3 February that Mivarts book had 'produced a great effect in
  • than offended by `that clever book’ ( letter to JMHerbert, 21 November 1872 ) and invited
  • from his ignorance, he feels no doubts’ ( letter to FCDonders, 17 June 1872 ). Right up to the
  • Charlton Bastians recent book on the origin of life (HCBastian 1872; Wallace 1872d) left him
  • Lord Sackville Cecil, to attend a séance ( letter from MCStanley, 4 June 1872 ). There was
  • others described the way their hands blushed (letter from MISnow, 29 [November 1872 or later] …
  • gift, although he doubted he would ever use it ( letter to CLDodgson, 10 December 1872 ). …
  • to contain wormcasts from India. Darwins niece Lucy Wedgwood, who had started her observations the
  • life which surprised & gratified me more’ ( letter to JMHerbert, 21 November 1872 ).  Fox
  • to which any scientific man can look’ ( letter to FCDonders, 29 April [1872] ). …

Darwin’s observations on his children

Summary

Charles Darwin’s observations on the development of his children, began the research that culminated in his book The Expression of the emotions in man and animals, published in 1872, and his article ‘A biographical sketch of an infant’, published in Mind…

Matches: 29 hits

  • Charles Darwins observations on the development of his children,[1began the research that
  • relatives with young families.[4However, it was Darwins personal experience of fatherhood that
  • of emotions. As the following transcript of Darwins notes reveals, he closely observed the
  • The tone of the manuscript reflects an aspect of Darwins character clearly perceived by Emma during
  • does that prove”.’[6For in these notes, Darwins deep scientific curiosity transcends his obvious
  • though the dissociation was essential for Darwins scientific goal, the notes here transcribed also
  • children. Darwin maintained his record of Williams development from the day of his birth, 27
  • of frowning, smiling, etc., as was the focus of Darwins attention on William and Anne, she noted
  • until July 1856, when the observations ceased. Darwins later entries, like Emmas, focus on the
  • during first fortnight at sudden sounds. & at Emmas moving 3 [11]  When one month
  • set him crying again  He does not easily catch a persons eye & is not easily attracted
  • …       Annes weight Jan 20 the baby 3 weeks & 3 days
  • in drawing breath between screams.— The babys weight Jan 20.[28] May 17 The baby
  • instance Carolines & Aunt Bessys. rather than Uncle Jos.—[29] 21  June 15 th . …
  • was called.— 29 th . Cried at the sight of Allen Wedgwood[32Is able to catch hold of a
  • able only just to totter a yard from the wall to a persons open arms. Dec. 14 th . During
  • loose about four feet, walked well & says goat. M. 23 d . Has been accustomed to see
  • it is hereditary in male sex, in the same manner as the S. American colts naturally amble from their
  • trowsers. Emma one morning put on an unconspicuous bonnet of C. Langton,[52W. instantly observed
  • she added an s to the end of every wordEttis & Bettis &c afterwards all the ws were turned
  • goed dawn to the willage”. Fish for Smith. Kaw for cow. &c. Lenny[612 years old speaks
  • Lizzy come & stay here. — Shant stay here. People say Im mansstay in mans room. Papa
  • answer) (indignantlyI are . 44  Lenny. Im a good boy you mustnt thmack me now— …
  • cut up your potatoe. Lizzy after a pauseYes Parslow. Imsidering.” Lenny in an indignant
  • PapaWell Lenny how do you like Eastbourne  L. (nodding towards the sea) I like that pond best  …
  • coming out of the drawing room rather indignantlyIm so dull. There is only horrid beastly boys in
  • … “But I could not help it”— I saidLenny you c d  help it, dont say that”. “I could not help it a
  • of CDs queries about expression. [4See Notebook M, pp. 53, 58, 96, Notebook N, pp. 37, 121
  • … [6Correspondence  vol. 2, letter from Emma Wedgwood, [23 January 1839] . [7]  …

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: 22 hits

  • The seven-year period following Darwin's return to England from the Beagle  voyage was one
  • the publication of the  Zoology of the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle , for which he described the
  • after his return, Darwin became engaged to his cousin, Emma Wedgwood. The letters they exchanged
  • touching in the concern they show for one anothers sensibilities. Early in 1839 the couple set up
  • theoretical achievement, the most important of Darwins activities during the years 183743 was
  • a result of thinking about the significance of John Goulds and Richard Owens identifications of
  • daring and momentous conviction that species were mutable (S. Herbert 1980, p. 12; Sulloway 1982b). …
  • in the version of 1859. Young author Darwins investigation of the species question
  • Beagle  had returned to England, news of some of Darwins findings had been spread by the
  • excitement. The fuller account of the voyage and Darwins discoveries was therefore eagerly awaited
  • volume of the  Narrative of the surveying voyage of H.M.S. Adventure and Beagle. Darwins volume
  • and natural history of the various countries visited by H.M.S. BeagleAlso in November 1837, …
  • by Darwin from a suggestion made by his uncle, Josiah Wedgwood II, during one of Darwins visits to
  • by Louis Agassiz (see Barrett 1973, Rudwick 1974, and L. Agassiz 1840). In another paper, “On
  • the publication of the Zoology of the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle  from February 1838 to October 1843
  • beetles were described by F. W. Hope, G. R. Waterhouse, and C. C. Babington; the Chalcididae by
  • discovered that contain lists of Darwins plants (see D. M. Porter 1981). Charles Lyell
  • 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
  • 1961, p. 53). Marriage Darwin married Emma Wedgwood in January 1839. His hopes and
  • to how one ought to act’ ( Letter from Emma Darwin, [  c.  February 1839] ). These are not
  • relation of fossil with recent. the fabric falls!' (Notebook C : 767). …

Darwin as mentor

Summary

Darwin provided advice, encouragement and praise to his fellow scientific 'labourers' of both sexes. Selected letters Letter 2234 - Darwin to Unidentified, [5 March 1858] Darwin advises that Professor C. P. Smyth’s observations are not…

Matches: 4 hits

  • … [5 March 1858] Darwin advises that Professor C. P. Smyth’s observations are not precise …
  • … J., [25 & 28 May 1863] Darwin praises Scott’s observations and experiments. Darwin …
  • … son for his work on wormholes. Darwin notes that William’s facts are “quite splendid” and he cannot …
  • … gives feedback on work produced by his son, George. George's article is weak and confused and …

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: 23 hits

  • over an anonymous review that attacked the work of Darwins son George dominated the second half of
  • been the naturalist and traveller Alexander von Humboldts 105th birthday, Darwin obliged with a
  • during prolonged intervals’ ( letter to D. T. Gardner, [ c . 27 August 1874] ). The death of a
  • led Darwin to the self-assessment, ‘as for ones body growing old there is no help for it, & I
  • The year started for Darwin with a weeks visit to London, staying at his brother Erasmuss house.  …
  • August 1873. Darwin had originally thought that Clarks dietary treatment woulddo wonders’, but as
  • in London, his son George organised a séance at Erasmuss house. The event was led by the medium
  • another Williams séance was held at the home of Darwins cousin Hensleigh Wedgwood. Those present
  • to get the two men on each side of him to hold each others hands, instead of his, ‘& that he
  • first three months of the year and, like many of Darwins enterprises in the 1870s, were family
  • Cupples, a Scottish deerhound expert who forwarded Darwins queries about the numbers of males and
  • Huxley, 14 April 1874 ). The technical nature of Huxleys argument prompted him to add, ‘Put my
  • price of nine shillings, in line with Charles Lyells  Students elements of geology , and with
  • letter from R. F. Cooke, 12 November 1874 ). Darwin's son George had laboured hard on
  • and Edward Burnett Tylor. It included an attack on Georges paper as speakingin an approving
  • of books in relation to the Origin, of which I have the M.S. half completed; but I have started the
  • in a few hours dissolve the hardest cartilage, bone & meat &c. &c.’ ( letter to W. D. …
  • with extracts from a dogs stomach ( letter from T. L. Brunton, 28 February 1874 ), and Edward
  • whether at theclose 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 ). …
  • the face, with a physiological explanation ( letter from T. L. Brunton, [29] October [1874] ). …
  • Darwin replied, ‘I have so poor a metaphysical head that M r  Spencers terms of equilibration
  • for a Serbian translation of  Origin  ( letter from M. M. Radovanović, 17 September 1874 ), …

Scientific Networks

Summary

Friendship|Mentors|Class|Gender In its broadest sense, a scientific network is a set of connections between people, places, and things that channel the communication of knowledge, and that substantially determine both its intellectual form and content,…

Matches: 5 hits

  • … for building and maintaining such connections. Darwin's networks extended from his family …
  • … reform, Darwin opposes appending first describer’s name to specific name. Letter 1220 — …
  • … to Darwin and Lyell for Athenæum . He mentioned Darwin’s work on complemental males in barnacles …
  • … Darwin took up a difficult group like barnacles. Darwin’s theories have progressed but Hooker is not …
  • … Catherine’s and his own. He also notes that Hensleigh [Wedgwood] thinks he has settled the free-will …

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 Darwins mind was the writing of  The variation of animals and
  • from this, the editing of excerpts from Fritz Müllers letters on climbing plants to make another
  • to comment on a paper on  Verbascum (mullein) by CDs protégé, John Scott, who was now working in
  • and, according to Butler, the bishop of Wellington. Darwins theory was discussed at an agricultural
  • significance to Darwin: Hugh Falconer, a friend of Darwins and prominent supporter of (though not a
  • of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and J. D. Hookers father, died in August. There was also a
  • letters. The death of Hugh Falconer Darwins first letter to Hooker of 1865 suggests
  • same age as Darwin himself. Falconer had seconded Darwins nomination for the Copley Medal of the
  • 12). In early January Falconer had written to Darwins brother, Erasmus Alvey Darwin, to reassure
  • transit gloria mundi, with a vengeance Darwins response to the news of Falconers death
  • influenza, wrote to Darwin at some length about Falconers life and death, concluding gloomily: ‘The
  • 1865 ). Darwin, nowhauntedby Hookers account of Falconers last sufferings, responded
  • in my happiness’. At the end of April, Darwins condition worsened to the extent that he felt
  • of  Origin  (see Correspondence vol. 13, CDsJournal’, Appendix II). In May, he invited a
  • getting better, attributing the improvement to Joness diet ( see letter to T. H. Huxley, 4 October
  • check one or two points that he did not clearly understand (l etter to Daniel Oliver, 20 October
  • … … inheritance, reversion, effects of use & disuse &c’, and which he intended to publish in
  • He wrote to Hooker, ‘I doubt whether you or I or any one c d  do any good in healing this breach. …
  • on Hookers behalf, ‘He asks if you saw the article of M r . Croll in the last Reader on the
  • Correspondence vol. 13, CDsJournal’, Appendix I). Wedgwood and Darwin relatives visited Down
  • … ‘As for your thinking that you do not deserve the C[opley] Medal,’ he rebuked Hooker, ‘that I
  • … [1861]: ‘Mamma is in bed with bad Headach.— Miss. L. is very bad with headach.— Lenny has got a

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: 28 hits

  • he had read and the books he wished to read in Notebook C ( Notebooks , pp. 31928). In 1839, …
  • … (DAR 119) opens with five pages of text copied from Notebook C and carries on through 1851; the
  • to be Read [DAR *119: Inside Front Cover] C. Darwin June 1 st . 1838
  • de la Folie des Animaux de ses Rapports avec celle de lHomme,” by Dr. Pierquin, published in Paris
  • …  [Pierquin de Gembloux 1839]. Said to be good by D r  L. Lindsay 5 [DAR *119: 1v.] …
  • Cuvier 1822] read Flourens Edit [Flourens 1845] read L. Jenyns paper on Annals of Nat. Hist. …
  • … [DAR *119: 2v.] Whites regular gradation in man [C. White 1799] Lindleys
  • 8 vo  p 181 [Latreille 1819]. see p. 17 Note Book C. for reference to authors about E. Indian
  • Hist. genérale et Particulière des Anomalies de lorganization des hommes & des Animaux by Isid. …
  • in brutes Blackwood June 1838 [J. F. Ferrie 1838]. H. C. Watson on Geog. distrib: of Brit: …
  • Wiegman has pub. German pamphlet on crossing oats &c [Wiegmann 1828] Horticultural
  • of the Agricultural Association meeting at Oxford. paper by L d  Spencer on gestation of animals
  • … “Resume analytique des observations par F. Cuvier sur linstinct”—LInstitut 1839. p. 408 [Flourens
  • Histoire Générale et particulière des anomalies de lorganisation chez lhomme et les animaux, …
  • 1847] good for woodcuts. (Roy. Coll. of Surgeons) M.M Turpin & Poiteau Traité des arbres
  • letters of M r  Knight July 8 th  M.S. Voyage of Kolff to the Molucca Sea [Kolff 1840] …
  • Svenska Vetenskaps-Akademiens Handlingar ]. Vol 1to 7. M.S. Translat.— from 1740. 2 d . vol
  • 1854 Jan 15. Seemans Narrative of H.M.S. Herald [Seeman 1853]. Feb 6. Wallace
  • … (Liebig 1851). 50  Probably Elizabeth Wedgwood. 51  This note is a
  • Belcher, Edward. 1848Narrative of the voyage of H.M.S.   Samarang during the years 184346; …
  • 1850The life and correspondence of Andrew Combe,   M.D.  Edinburgh128: 5 Conrad, …
  • years 18381842, under the command of Charles Wilkes, U.S.N. New York. [Abstract in DAR 71: 512.]  …
  • years 18381842, under the command of Charles Wilkes, U.S.N. Philadelphia. [Abstract in DAR 205.3: …
  • ou, iconographie de toutes les espèces et   variétés darbres, fruitiers cultivés dans cet   …
  • sur la distribution géographique des animaux vertébrés, moins les oiseauxJournal de Physique 94
  • Drury, Robert. 1729Madagascar; or, Robert Drurys   journal, during fifteen   years
  • … [Vols. 3 and 4 in Darwin Library.]  119: 3a Dugès, Antoine. 1832Memoir sur la
  • Narrative of a voyage round the world, performed in H.M.S.   Sulphur,   183642 . 2 vols. …