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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: 10 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. Darwins correspondence reveals the scope
  • whom he exchanged information and ideas. Letter 346Darwin, C. R. to Darwin, C. S., 27 Feb
  • Caucasian languages separated from one stock.” Letter 2070Wedgwood, Hensleigh to Darwin, …
  • because we can trace the elements into Latin, German &c. but I see much the same sort of thing
  • is the grinding down of former continents.” Letter 3054Darwin, C. R. to Lyell, Charles, 2
  • former,—which I tell him is perfectly logical.” Letter 5605Darwin, C. R. to Müller, J. F. …
  • whilst young, do they scream & make loud noise?” Letter 7040Wedgwood, Hensleigh to
  • speech from gradually growing to such a stageLetter 8367Darwin, C. R. to Wright, …
  • altering the breed. Letter 8962Darwin, C. R. to Max Müller, Friedrich, 3 July 1873

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 to
  • … (DAR 119) opens with five pages of text copied from Notebook C and carries on through 1851; the
  • used these notebooks extensively in dating and annotating Darwins letters; the full transcript
  • … *128). For clarity, the transcript does not record Darwins 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 theBooks Readsections, Darwin recorded that a work had been
  • of the books listed in the other two notebooks. Sometimes Darwin recorded that an abstract of the
  • to be Read [DAR *119: Inside Front Cover] C. Darwin June 1 st . 1838
  • … [DAR *119: 2v.] Whites regular gradation in man [C. White 1799] Lindleys
  • sleep & movements of plants  £ 1 ..s  4. [Dutrochet 1837] Voyage aux terres australes
  • 8 vo  p 181 [Latreille 1819]. see p. 17 Note Book C. for reference to authors about E. Indian
  • of useful knowledge Horse, cow, sheep [Youatt 1831, 1834, 1837]. Verey Philosophie dHist. …
  • contains all his fathers views Quoted by Owen [Hunter 1837] [DAR *119: 3v.] Hunter
  • 11  besides the paper collected by Owen [Hunter 1837] (at Shrewsbury). Yarrells paper on
  • in brutes Blackwood June 1838 [J. F. Ferrie 1838]. H. C. Watson on Geog. distrib: of Brit: …
  • of plants. 13 Books quoted by Herbert [Herbert 1837] p. 338 Schiede in 1825
  • remarks on acclimatizing of plants. Herbert [Herbert 1837] p. 348 gives reference to
  • … [Reimarius 1760] The Highlands & Western Isl ds  letter to Sir W Scott [MacCulloch 1824
  • 183440]: In Portfolio ofabstracts34  —letter from Skuckard of books on Silk Worm
  • M rs  Frys Life [Fry 1847] Horace Walpoles letter to C t . of Ossory [Walpole 1848] …
  • … [Fellows 1839] Catherine 48 Life of Collins R.A. [Collins 1848] Phases of Faith
  • Asiatic Society ]—contains very little Macleays letter to D r  Fleming [Macleay 1830] …
  • … [Heer 1854].— Hooker has it.— Very important Hookers letter Jan. 1859 Yules Ava [Yule 1858] …
  • 1848Memoirs of the life of William   Collins, Esq., R.A.  2 vols. London.  *119: 23; 119: …
  • by Richard Owen.  Vol. 4 of  The works of John Hunter, F.R.S. with notes . Edited by James F. …
  • Robert. 1843Memoirs of the life of John   Constable, R.A., composed chiefly of his letters. …
  • Peacock, George. 1855Life of Thomas Young, M.D., F.R.S.  London.  *128: 172; 128: 21

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: 21 hits

  • … |  Editors and critics  |  Assistants Darwins correspondence helps bring to light a
  • community. Here is a selection of letters exchanged between Darwin and his workforce of women
  • Observers Women: Letter 1194 - Darwin to Whitby, M. A. T., [12 August
  • silkworm breeds, or peculiarities in inheritance. Letter 3787 - Darwin, H. E. to
  • to artificially fertilise plants in her garden. Letter 4523 - Wedgwood, L. C. to
  • be made on seeds of Pulmonaria officinalis . Letter 5745 - Barber, M. E. to
  • Expression from her home in South Africa. Letter 6736 - Gray, A. & J. L
  • Expression during a trip to Egypt. Letter 7223 - Darwin to Wedgwood, L. C., …
  • 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
  • 385  - Wedgwood, S. E. & J. to Darwin, [10 November 1837] Emmas sister, Sarah, …
  • 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] …
  • Letter 7858 - Darwin to Wa llace, A. R., [12 July 1871] Darwin tells Wallace that
  • Letter 378  - Darwin to Henslow, J. S., [20 September 1837] Darwin takes Henslow up on
  • Letter 347  - Darwin to Whewell, W., [10 March 1837] Darwin seeks to decline the

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 Darwins activities during the years
  • identifications of his bird and fossil mammal specimens, Darwin arrived at the daring and momentous
  • species came to be as they are (Kohn 1980). Between April 1837 and September 1838 he filled several
  • in species. With this new theoretical point of departure Darwin continued to make notes and explore
  • …  voyage. The book was finished and set in type by November 1837, though not published until 1839, …
  • countries visited by H.M.S. BeagleAlso in November 1837, Darwin read the fourth of a series of
  • May 1838] ). The new research Darwin undertook after 1837 was an extension and an
  • Fossil Mammalia , by Richard OwenMammalia , by G. R. WaterhouseBirds , by John Gould;  …
  • publications. The beetles were described by F. W. Hope, G. R. Waterhouse, and C. C. Babington; the
  • letters have suffered an even more severe loss. In a letter to Lyells sister-in-law, Katharine
  • of fact . . . on the origin & variation of species” ( Letter to J. S. Henslow, [November 1839] …
  • that he had a sound solution to what J. F. W. Herschel in a letter to Lyell had called themystery
  • about searching for evidence to support his hypothesis. In a letter to Lyell, [14] September [1838
  • 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, …
  • just the same, though I know what I am looking for' ( Letter to G. R. Waterhouse, [26 July
  • there were no doubts as to how one ought to act’ ( Letter from Emma Darwin, [  c.  February 1839] …
  • … [20 February 1840] , ‘as usual has been my enemybut D r . Holland tells me he thinks it is only

Introduction to the Satire of FitzRoy's Narrative of the Voyages of the Adventure and Beagle

Summary

'a humble toadyish follower…': Not all pictures of Darwin during the Beagle voyage are flattering.  Published here for the first time is a complete transcript of a satirical account of the Beagle’s brief visit in 1836 to the Cocos Keeling islands…

Matches: 25 hits

  • obtain such a one I was (in a manner) compelled to take Mr Darwin on a far too independent footing. …
  • fond of Natural History”… Not all pictures of Darwin during the Beagle voyage are
  • in 1836 to the Cocos Keeling islands, the only coral atoll Darwin observed first-hand.  The satire, …
  • didnt meet them personally, Ross took bitter exception to Darwin and FitzRoys later accounts of
  • Anderson John Clunies Rosssatire, written c.1848, is a fascinating document. It is
  • captain, Robert FitzRoy and his naturalist companion Charles Darwin. Rossunique perspective on the
  • foreman on the one hand and the texts written by FitzRoy and Darwin on the other. We can certainly
  • but by no means least, the coral reef theories of Charles Darwin. (For that particular concern see
  • … – he responded brutally to the Cocos-Keeling protests in 1837, but he claimed to be the champion of
  • interest. Rosspicture of both FitzRoy and Darwin on this voyage is unlike any others we
  • influenced Rossown enterprises. His attitude to Darwin was somewhat less resentful, but still
  • at home. Finally, according to Ross, neither man wrote well: Darwin was trite and conventional , …
  • in FitzRoys voice, but some footnotes are signedJ.C.R.” and there are editorial interventions in
  • and are marked in roman numerals. Others relate to Darwins 1839 or 1845 volumes and Belchers
  • are not so marked. A final set refers to a comparison of a letter and a newspaper editorial. In all
  • men, women and children. At the time of the disturbances in 1837, Ross spoke of two hundred Malays, …
  • all British residents except the Ross family, left after 1837. John Clunies Ross (1786
  • He went to sea first in a Greenland whaler aged thirteen, c.1800. In 1812, aged 25, while on a
  • until the late twentieth century. Alexander Hare (c.1770-1834) was a British merchant who
  • as John Murrays publication of the new edition of Darwins Beagle journal was achieving success
  • FitzRoy and, more importantly, for encouraging discontent in 1837. Leisk and his familydecamped” …
  • to his death. Capt. Alexander Albert Sandilands, R.N. (c.1786-1832) of HMS Comet
  • Gleanings in Science . Capt Francis Harding, R.N. (1799 - 1875) In HMS Pelorus , …
  • to Bencoolen in his ship Harriet . Joseph C. Raymond, a seaman from a British ship
  • a chief instigator of the resistance to Rossauthority in 1837. In this ms., Ross sometimes refers

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: 27 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 Darwins 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 Darwins 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 Darwins eldest daughter Henrietta was
  • during several past years, has been a great amusement’. Darwin had been working fairly continuously
  • do to talk about it, which no doubt promotes the sale’ ( letter from J. D. Hooker, 26 March 1871 ) …
  • to her liking, ‘to keep in memory of the book’ ( letter to H. E. Darwin, 20 March 1871 ). …
  • and had forsaken his lunch and dinner in order to read it ( letter from James Crichton-Browne, 19
  • they believe to be the truth, whether pleasant or not’ (letter from W. W. Reade, 21 February 1871). …
  • and OldhamThey club together to buy them’ ( letter from W. B. Dawkins, 23 February 1871 ). …
  • ones n th . ancestor lived between tide-marks!’ ( letter from T. H. Huxley, 20 February 1871 ). …
  • habits, furnished with a tail and pointed ears”  (letter from Asa Gray, 14 April 1871) …
  • … ‘will-powerand the heavy use of their arms and legs ( letter from C. L. Bernays, 25 February 1871
  • in order to make it darker than the hair on his head ( letter from W. B. Tegetmeier, [before 25
  • together with an image of an orang-utan foetus ( letter from Hinrich Nitsche, 18 April 1871 ). …
  • of himself, adding that it made avery poor return’ ( letter to Hinrich Nitsche, 25 April [1871] …
  • is a thing which I sh d  feel very proud of, if anyone c d . say of me.’ After the publication
  • was achieved throughthe medium of opinion, positive law &c’, and transmitted by culture, not
  • in the world except. laughing. crying grinning pouting &c. &c’, he wrote to Hooker on 21
  • so giddy I can hardly sit up, so no more’ ( letter to A. R. Wallace, 4 August [1871] ). On 23
  • annually on an acre of land at 16 tons (letter from L. C. Wedgwood, [20 November 1871] ). He also
  • Darwin had delivered at the Geological Society of London in 1837, would culminate in Darwins last
  • … ( letter to Asa Gray, 16 July [1871] , letter to S. R. S. Norton, 23 November [1871] ). …

Books on the Beagle

Summary

The Beagle was a sort of floating library.  Find out what Darwin and his shipmates read here.

Matches: 22 hits

  • Captain FitzRoy in the  Narrative  (2: 18). CD, in his letter to Henslow, 9 [September 1831] , …
  • … . . . There will be  plenty  of room for Books.’ (Letter from Robert FitzRoy, 23 September 1831
  • theimmense stockwhich CD mentions may be had from a letter FitzRoy wrote to his sister during an
  • from the unpublished zoological and geological notes in the Darwin Archive (DAR 2938), a brief
  • is of four kinds: There are volumes now in the Darwin Library in Cambridge that contain
  • notes made by CD during the voyage. They are in the Darwin Archive in the Cambridge University
  • and symbols are used: DAR  —  Darwin Archive CUL  —  Cambridge University
  • on board the  Beagle §  —  mentioned in a letter or other source as being on board
  • … , conveys the following information: CDs copy, now in Darwin LibaryCUL, was used on board. The
  • 1 of volume 32 of CDs geological diary (DAR 32.1) in the Darwin Archive. The copy in the Darwin
  • … . 2 vols. Strasbourg, 1819. (Inscription in vol. 1: ‘C. Darwin HMS Beagle’; DAR 32.1: 61). Darwin
  • 26, 27, 28 . London, 1831. (DAR 31.1: 276v.; 33: 253v.). Darwin LibraryCUL, 1832 Philadelphia
  • Naturelle  3 (1834): 84115. (DAR 37.1: 677v.; letter to J. S. Henslow, 12 July 1835). * …
  • dhistoire naturelle . 17 vols. Paris, 182231. (Letter from J. S. Henslow, 1521 January [1833]). …
  • a report of the proceedings . .  . Cambridge, 1833.  (Letter to Charles Whitley, 23 July 1834). …
  • of the 2d meeting . . . Oxford, 1832 . London, 1833.  (Letter to J. S. Henslow, March 1834 and
  • also Hawkesworth, John). (DAR 32.2: 89v.; Robert FitzRoys letter to the South African Christian
  • 1831. (DAR 32.1: 53). Desaulses de Freycinet, L. Csee  Freycinet, L. C. Desaulses de
  • la corvette . . .La Coquille 18225. Zoologie  par MM. [R. P.] Lesson et [P.] Garnot. 2 vols., …
  • … (Inscriptions: vol. 1 (1830), ‘Given me by Capt. F.R C. Darwin’; vol.2 (1832), ‘Charles Darwin M: …
  • Red notebook , p. 89). Darwin LibraryCUL, 4th ed., 1837. ‡ Playfair, JohnIllustrations
  • concerning a future state . . . by a country pastor [R. W.].  London, 1829. (Letter from Caroline

Satire of FitzRoy's Narrative of the Voyages of the Adventure and Beagle, by John Clunies Ross. Transcription by Katharine Anderson

Summary

[f.146r Title page] Voyages of the Adventure and Beagle Supplement / to the 2nd 3rd and Appendix Volumes of the First / Edition Written / for and in the name of the Author of those / Volumes By J.C. Ross. / Sometime Master of a…

Matches: 28 hits

  • N o II of the foresaid works. By Captain Robert Fitzroy R.N. In the first Edition Mr
  • he is ready to admitthat althomany Captains R.N. do not hesitate to (unofficially) give the
  • obtain such a one I was (in a manner) compelled to take Mr Darwin on a far too independent footing. …
  • of this Supplement exhibit evidence to that effectin Mr Darwins instanceespecially in respect
  • to be noticed. Being of course ambitious to rival Mr Darwin in the line of Theory-invention – …
  • … – with the exception of one of the classwhich Mr Darwin bribed the Aborigines to performwe
  • I therefore hit upon the expedient of giving it to Mr Darwin to put into his Volume. Heresaid
  • to the soils of the coral formation. Nevertheless Mr Darwin (doubtless from his not looking
  • and very pretty view.” Now bearing in mind that Mr Darwin is exceedinglyfondof dry bones
  • my fairness of statement that I have thus recapitulated Mr Darwins sentimentsalbeitso adverse
  • to which I allude are the following. J.C.R. [column continues across
  • calledthe Hippomanesand gave the command to R.C. Ross (brother to Mr J.C. Ross) the same who
  • rice could be obtainedwhen being aware from Captain R.C. Ross of his brother (Mr Ross') …
  • he had the honour of having made whilst commanding the H.C.C. Mary Ann under his Government of Java
  • a moment longer to come home as he deserved to do.” That letter they shewed to Mr Ross and requested
  • establishing another Harem at Batavia.” IX Mr Darwin's volume of the Adventure and
  • to somewhere else” – so now readyour brother's letter and then we may have something sure to
  • wrote to him immediately before leaving for Sumatraa letter calculated to elicit something
  • … – not all exaggeratedand Mr R sent him back with a letter [ f.183r p.73 ] as he proposed. …
  • was not of any profitable description but of what Mr H in letter to Mr R denominatedfiddle faddle” …
  • to a note from Mr H concerning the last mentioned fugitive a letter whichMr H sent to Mr R – …
  • … ] The three or four runaways mentioned in the forgoing letter had run to apply to Mr Rossand on
  • sole reference to Malaysseeing, that he (an M.A. & F.R.S. – who isor has been, Secretary
  • to addmy brother Knight) Sir Edward BelcherCaptain R.N. ^to wit^ To his performances in that
  • …   “21 st Dec r 1837.   “Sir,   …
  • marked in pencil233ff. Mar, 1908 E.W.J. / Examined by C.J.G.”] *[1] The Sage
  • Isles. They accordingly selected Mr R. M. WicheloPurser R.N. – but who had after the peace
  • otherwise than fromLeisks representations. (Signed J.C.R. …