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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: 21 hits

… In 1865, the chief work on Charles Darwin’s mind was the writing of The variation of animals and …
… letters on climbing plants to make another paper. Darwin also submitted a manuscript of his …
… for evaluation, and persuaded his friend Joseph Dalton Hooker to comment on a paper on Verbascum …
… Argyll, appeared in the religious weekly, Good Words . Darwin received news of an exchange of …
… Butler, and, according to Butler, the bishop of Wellington. Darwin’s theory was discussed at an …
… committed suicide at the end of April; and William Jackson Hooker, director of the Royal Botanic …
… thriving, and when illness made work impossible, Darwin and Hooker read a number of novels, and …
… having all the Boys at home: they make the house jolly’ ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 7 January [1865] …
… had failed to include among the grounds of the award ( see letter from Hugh Falconer to Erasmus …
… his letters to Darwin, and Darwin responded warmly: ‘Your letter is by far the grandest eulogium …
… kind friend to me. So the world goes.—’ ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 2 February [1865] ). However, …
… griefs & pains: these alone are unalloyed’ ( letter from J. D. Hooker, 3 February 1865 ). …
… given it up by early July ( see letter to J. D. Hooker, [10 July 1865] ). In July, he …
… Darwin had received a copy of Müller’s book, Fü r Darwin , a study of the Crustacea with reference …
… finished hearing it read aloud ( letter to Fritz Müller, 10 August [1865] ). Over the next few …
… ( see letter from Fritz Müller, [12 and 31 August, and 10 October 1865] ; since it is impossible …
… similarly coloured varieties (see Correspondence vol. 10 , letter to John Scott, 19 November …
… … 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. …
… Hooker’s behalf, ‘He asks if you saw the article of M r . Croll in the last Reader on the …
… ‘As for your thinking that you do not deserve the C[opley] Medal,’ he rebuked Hooker, ‘that I …

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: 17 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 …
… of the water-cure. The treatment was not effective and Darwin remained ill for the rest of the year. …
… from ‘some Quadrumanum animal’, as he put it in a letter to J. D. Hooker of 24[–5] February [1863] …
… (see Correspondence vol. 8, letter to Charles Lyell, 10 January [1860] ). In the same letter …
… the origin of species particularly, worried Darwin; he told Hooker that he had once thought Lyell …
… wished his one-time mentor had not said a word ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 24[–5] February [1863] ). …
… lack of expertise in the subject. ‘The worst of it is’, Hooker wrote to Darwin, ‘I suppose it is …
… difficulty in answering Owen unaided ’ ( letter from J. D. Hooker, [23 February 1863] ). Hugh …
… of Lyell’s book being written by others’ ( letter from J. D. Hooker, [23 February 1863] ). …
… to see men fighting so for a little fame’ ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 17 March [1863] ). …
… sentence from the second edition of Antiquity of man (C. Lyell 1863b, p. 469), published in …
… had been published in 1862 (see Correspondence vol. 10 ). He sent a copy to Asa Gray to review in …
… of species, when crossed’ ( letter to T. H. Huxley, 10 [January 1863] ). He reminded Huxley again …
… Verbascum and Zea (see Correspondence vol. 10 , Appendix VI). However, when Evidence as …
… very slowly recovering, but am very weak’ ( letter to A. R. Wallace, [29 September? 1863] ). …
… Thomas’s Hospital, London ( letter from George Busk, [ c. 27 August 1863] ). Brinton, who …

Dramatisation script

Summary

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

Matches: 22 hits

… Re: Design – Adaptation of the Correspondence of Charles Darwin, Asa Gray and others… by Craig …
… as the creator of this dramatisation, and that of the Darwin Correspondence Project to be identified …
… correspondence or published writings of Asa Gray, Charles Darwin, Joseph Dalton Hooker, Jane Loring …
… Actor 1 – Asa Gray Actor 2 – Charles Darwin Actor 3 – In the dress of a modern day …
… the play unfolds and acting as a go-between between Gray and Darwin, and between the audience and …
… of natural selection to his friend, the botanist, Joseph D Hooker GRAY: 3 Charles …
… year 1839, and copied and communicated to Messrs Lyell and Hooker in 1844, being a part of …
… DARWIN: 7 January 1844. My dear Hooker. I have been …engaged in a very presumptuous work …
… his University) and is much less his own man. A letter from England catches his attention …
… the opportunity I enjoyed of making your acquaintance at Hooker’s three years ago; and besides that …
… you sent me as well as I could. DARWIN: 10 My dear Dr Gray. I really hardly know …
… 11 My dear Hooker… What a remarkably nice and kind letter Dr A. Gray has sent me in answer to my …
… be of any the least use to you? If so I would copy it… His letter does strike me as most uncommonly …
… on the geographical distribution of the US plants; and if my letter caused you to do this some year …
… Hooker is younger than Darwin and Gray by about 10 years. Like Gray, he is a professional botanist …
… a brace of letters 25 I send enclosed [a letter for you from Asa Gray], received …
… right when he said the whole subject would be forgotten in 10 years. But now that I hear you will …
… a lesser degree ‘Blood’s One Penny Envelope, 1, 3, and 10 cents’. If you will make him this present, …
… paragraph, in which I quote and differ from you[r] 178 doctrine that each variation has been …
… HOOKER: 208 We had a horrid scare 10 days ago, in the form of a Telegram from ‘Nature’ to …
… ARTS AND SCIENCES, PROCEEDINGS XVII, 1882 4 C DARWIN TO JD HOOKER 10 MAY 1848 …
… C DARWIN, 18–19 AUGUST 1862 149 C DARWIN TO J. D. HOOKER 26 JULY 1863 150 …

Darwin in letters,1866: Survival of the fittest

Summary

The year 1866 began well for Charles Darwin, as his health, after several years of illness, was now considerably improved. In February, Darwin received a request from his publisher, John Murray, for a new edition of Origin. Darwin got the fourth…

Matches: 18 hits

… The year 1866 began well for Charles Darwin, as his health, after several years of illness, was now …
… and also a meeting with Herbert Spencer, who was visiting Darwin’s neighbour, Sir John Lubbock. In …
… on publishers, decried on one occasion by Joseph Dalton Hooker as ‘Penny-wise Pound foolish, …
… Fuller consideration of Darwin’s work was given by Hooker in an evening speech on insular floras at …
… able to write easy work for about 1½ hours every day’ ( letter to H. B. Jones, 3 January [1866] ). …
… of coffee to two cups a day, since coffee, with the ‘10 drops of Muriatic acid twice a day (with …
… once daily to make the chemistry go on better’ ( letter from H. B. Jones, 10 February [1866] ). …
… me any harm—any how I can’t be idle’ ( letter to W. D. Fox, 24 August [1866] ). Towards …
… Animals & Cult. Plants” to Printers’ ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 24 December [1866] ). When …
… more than the belief of a dozen physicists’ ( letter to J. D. Hooker, [28 February 1866] ). Darwin …
… ‘Your father … entered at the same time with Dr B. J. who received him with triumph. All his friends …
… you go on, after the startling apparition of your face at R.S. Soirèe—which I dreamed of 2 nights …
… so you are in for it’ ( letter from H. E. Darwin, [ c . 10 May 1866] ). Henrietta’s …
… teleological development ( see for example, letter to C. W. Nägeli, 12 June [1866] ). Also in …
… common broom ( Cytisus scoparius ) and the white broom ( C. multiflorus ) in his botanical …
… and June on the subject of Rhamnus catharticus (now R. cathartica ). Darwin had become …
… of separate sexes. William gathered numerous specimens of R. catharticus , the only species of …
… replied with a modified list, adding Fritz Müller’s Fü r Darwin , and a recent fossil discovery in …

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: 22 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 …
… Observers Women: Letter 1194 - Darwin to Whitby, M. A. T., [12 August …
… silkworm breeds, or peculiarities in inheritance. Letter 3787 - Darwin, H. E. to …
… observations of cats’ instinctive behaviour. Letter 4258 - Becker, L. E. to Darwin, …
… to artificially fertilise plants in her garden. Letter 4523 - Wedgwood, L. C. to …
… in South Africa. Letter 6736 - Gray, A. & J. L to Darwin, [8 & 9 May 1869] …
… Egypt. Letter 7223 - Darwin to Wedgwood, L. C., [8 June 1867 - 72] Darwin …
… Henrietta. Letter 7179 - Wedgwood, L. C. to Darwin, [5 May 1870] …
… of wormholes. Letter 8611 - Cupples, A. J. to Darwin, E., [8 November1872] …
… Darwin’s behalf. Letter 8683 - Roberts, D. to Darwin, [17 December 1872] …
… little treatise”. Letter 4436 - Darwin to Hooker, J. D., [26-27 March 1864] …
… and orangs. Letter 5705 - Haast, J. F. J. von to Darwin, [4 December 1867] …
… 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 …
… Lychnis diurna. Letter 8168 - Ruck, A. R . to Darwin, H., [20 January 1872] …
… lawn. Letter 8224 - Darwin to Ruck, A. R., [24 February 1872] Darwin …
… Letter 385 - Wedgwood, S. E. & J. to Darwin, [10 November 1837] Emma’s sister, …
… at Maer Hall, Staffordshire. Letter 1219 - Hooker, J. D. to Darwin, [3 February …
… Letter 1701 - Morris, M. H. to Prior, R. C. A., [17 June 1855] Margaretta Hare Morris …
… Women: Letter 2345 - Darwin to Hooker, J. D., [20 October 1858] Darwin …
… Letter 347 - Darwin to Whewell, W., [10 March 1837] Darwin seeks to decline the …

Darwin in letters, 1874: A turbulent year

Summary

The year 1874 was one of consolidation, reflection, and turmoil for Darwin. He spent the early months working on second editions of Coral reefs and Descent of man; the rest of the year was mostly devoted to further research on insectivorous plants. A…

Matches: 19 hits

… 1874 was one of consolidation, reflection, and turmoil for Darwin. He spent the early months working …
… dispute over an anonymous review that attacked the work of Darwin’s son George dominated the second …
… and traveller Alexander von Humboldt’s 105th birthday, Darwin obliged with a reflection on his debt …
… be done by observation during prolonged intervals’ ( letter to D. T. Gardner, [ c . 27 August …
… pleasures of shooting and collecting beetles ( letter from W. D. Fox, 8 May [1874] ). Such …
… And … one looks backwards much more than forwards’ ( letter to W. D. Fox, 11 May [1874] ). …
… was an illusory hope.— I feel very old & helpless’ ( letter to B. J. Sulivan, 6 January [1874] …
… to believe in such rubbish’, he confided to Joseph Dalton Hooker ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 18 …
… the publishers, he applied first to his friend Joseph Dalton Hooker, and finally borrowed one from …
… for misinterpreting Darwin on this point ( letter from J. D. Dana, 21 July 1874 ); however, he did …
… Descent was published in November 1874 ( letter from R. F. Cooke, 12 November 1874 ). Though …
… on subsequent print runs would be very good ( letter from R. F. Cooke, 12 November 1874 ). …
… in a few hours dissolve the hardest cartilage, bone & meat &c. &c.’ ( letter to W. D. …
… an insignificant figure, as a cube of cartilage of 1 / 10 inch is almost beyond their …
… whether at the ‘close of the putrefaction of flesh, skin &c, any substance is produced before …
… 1874 ). Darwin immediately sent a donation of £100, and £10 each from his sons George and Francis ( …
… Sharpe for promotion at the British Museum ( letter to R. B. Sharpe, 24 November [1874] ). He …
… and sent a copy to Darwin ( letter from G. J. Romanes, 10 July 1874 ). After a second letter from …
… the Beagle) in December ( letter from C.-F. Reinwald , 10 December 1874 ). Samuel Jean Pozzi and …

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: 27 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 …
… which I can do’, he wrote despondently to Joseph Dalton Hooker on 15 June , concluding, ‘I must …
… 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 …
… in Unconscious memory in November 1880 and in an abusive letter about Darwin in the St James’s …
… memory in Kosmos and sent Darwin a separate letter for publication in the Journal of Popular …
… within the family, Henrietta explained to Stephen on 10 January , hoping that he did not think …
… publishers decided to print ‘500 more, making 2000’ ( letter to H. E. Litchfield, 4 January 1881 ) …
… the animal learnt from its own individual experience ( letter from G. J. Romanes, 7 March 1881 ). …
… the sale of books being ‘a game of chance’ ( letter to R. F. Cooke, 12 April 1881 ). On 18 May …
… investigate aggregation. He explained to Fritz Müller on 10 September why he had embarked on …
… he would feel ‘less sulky in a day or two’ ( letter to R. F. Cooke, 29 July 1881 ). The degree of …
… falls at this late period of the season’ ( letter from R. F. Cooke, 30 July 1881 ). Darwin gave in …
… made clear the veneration in which he was held. ‘I’d give one year of my life for one hours …
… to the general stock of knowledge’ ( letter to E. W. Bok, 10 May 1881 ). Josef Popper, an expert …
… to possibilities for women, judging from her organization &c’. When Darwin replied the following …
… ‘bread-winners’ ( Correspondence vol. 30, letter to C. A. Kennard, 9 January 1882 ). …
… publication & to acknowledge any criticism’ ( letter to C. G. Semper, 19 July 1881 ). He …
… patted one of the Fuegians on the shoulder (l etter from B. J. Sulivan, 18 March 1881 ). …
… which he thought ‘an excellent Journal’ ( letter to G. J. Romanes, 4 July [1881] ). In these ways, …
… friends, however, did not agree. Both John Lubbock and Hooker asked for Darwin’s advice when writing …
… ( letter to John Lubbock, [18 September 1881] ). When Hooker, anxious about his address on …
… one’ and had ‘gone much out’ of his mind ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 20 June [1881] ). Feeling …
… had many a discussion & many a good fight’ (letters to J. D. Hooker, 6 August 1881 and 12 …
… to bear the ‘wear & tear of controversy’ ( letter to G. R. Jesse, 23 April 1881 ). Later in …
… have a domestic life & public duties!’ ( letter from J. D. Hooker, [23 October 1881] ). …

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: 22 hits

… self fertilisation in the vegetable kingdom , published on 10 November 1876, was the result of a …
… 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 …
… of the young plants is highly remarkable’ ( To Asa Gray, 10 September [1866] ). By early December, …
… his results. In March 1867, he told his close friend Joseph Hooker, ‘The only fact which I have …
… seeds of Ipomœa. I remember saying the contrary to you & M r Smith at Kew. But the result is …
… produced by a cross between two distinct plants’ ( To J. D. Hooker, 17 March [1867] ). He noted …
… of France where Moggridge lived for part of the year ( To J. T. Moggridge, 1 October [1867] ). …
… ‘I always supposed until lately that no evil effects w d be visible until after several …
… flower. ‘How utterly mysterious it is’, he reported to Hooker, ‘that there sh d be some …
… to impotence when taken from the same plant!’ ( To J. D. Hooker, 21 May [1868] ) Pollen tubes, or …
… Darwin sent specimens of plants he raised from this seed to Hooker, who named it Abutilon darwinii …
… the season it becomes capable of self-fertilisation’ ( To J. D. Hooker, 23 July [1871] ). Darwin …
… with choosing which taxonomic system to follow ( To J. D. Hooker, 17 February 1873 ). Despite also …
… I am already plagued by foreign Translators, Reviewers, &c.’ ( To John Murray, 4 May [1873] ). …
… great measure my further working’ ( From Hermann Müller, 10 June 1873 ). Darwin, in turn, had …
… [1873] ). In September, Darwin wrote a long letter to Nature commenting on a seemingly …
… had ‘begun to prepare for press observations continued for 10 years on the effects of crossing …
… the set of all my works, I would suggest 1,500’ ( To R. F. Cooke, 16 September 1876 ). In the …
… of hybrids, has not yet been produced’ ( From A. R. Wallace, 13 December 1876 ). No reply to this …

Darwin in letters, 1860: Answering critics

Summary

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

Matches: 18 hits

… 7 January 1860, John Murray published the second edition of Darwin’s Origin of species , printing …
… surprised both the publisher and the author. One week later Darwin was stunned to learn that the …
… the book, thinking that it would be nice easy reading.’ ( letter to Asa Gray, 22 May [1860] ). …
… Henry Huxley, William Benjamin Carpenter, and Joseph Dalton Hooker. Others were not quite as …
… his views. ‘One cannot expect fairness in a Reviewer’, Darwin commented to Hooker after reading an …
… of the geological record; but this criticism, he told Hooker, did not at all concern his main …
… his theory would have been ‘ utterly smashed’ ( letter to T. H. Huxley, 3 July [1860] ). (A …
… from right principles of scientific investigation.—’ ( letter to J. S. Henslow, 8 May [1860] ). …
… it comes in time to be admitted as real.’ ( letter to C. J. F. Bunbury, 9 February [1860] ). This …
… considered it more a failure than a success ( see letter to J. D. Hooker, 14 February [1860] ). …
… because more accustomed to reasoning.’ ( letter to A. R. Wallace, 18 May 1860 ). Darwin …
… two physiologists, and five botanists ( see letter to J. D. Hooker, 3 March [1860] ). Others, like …
… form’, namely those of embryology ( letter to Asa Gray, 10 September [1860] ). Only his theory, he …
… with other animals’ ( letter to Charles Lyell, 10 January [1860] )— he and others were well aware …
… Hooker attended the fabled Saturday session of Section D. He told Darwin how ‘between 700 & 1000 …
… of the field after 4 hours battle’ (letter from J. D. Hooker, 2 July 1860). Other correspondents …
… views.—’ ( letter from J. S. Henslow to J. D. Hooker, 10 May 1860 ). What worried Darwin most …
… serve a purpose in Britain. He immediately wrote to Gray on 10 September after studying the first …

Darwin in letters, 1864: Failing health

Summary

On receiving a photograph from Charles Darwin, the American botanist Asa Gray wrote on 11 July 1864: ‘the venerable beard gives the look of your having suffered, and … of having grown older’. Because of poor health, Because of poor health, Darwin…

Matches: 19 hits

… On receiving a photograph from Charles Darwin, the American botanist Asa Gray wrote on 11 July …
… … of having grown older’. This portrait, the first of Darwin with his now famous beard, had been …
… 52 hours without vomiting!! In the same month, Darwin began to consult William Jenner, …
… of the five physicians Darwin had consulted in 1863. In a letter of 26[–7] March [1864] , Darwin …
… and he received more letters of advice from Jenner. In a letter of 15 December [1864] to the …
… As Darwin explained to his cousin William Darwin Fox in a letter of 30 November [1864] , ‘the …
… observations indoors ( Correspondence vol. 11). In a letter of [27 January 1864] , Darwin …
… gradation by which leaves produce tendrils’ ( letter to J. D. Hooker, [8 February 1864] ). …
… peduncles to test sensitivity, and in his request to Hooker for another specimen: ‘I want it …
… with his stipend being paid by Darwin himself ( letter to J. D. Hooker, [1 April 1864] ). …
… often at odds with one another: ‘Gardeners are the very d—l, & where two or three are gathered …
… enough to play your part over them’ ( letter from J. D. Hooker, [2 April 1864] ). …
… … they do require very careful treatment’ ( letter from J. D. Hooker, 8 April 1864 ). Nevertheless …
… perseverance, and his knowledge’ ( letter to John Scott, 10 June 1864 ). Hooker met Scott in …
… 5 September 1864 ). Fritz Müeller sent his book, Für Darwin , and Darwin had it translated by a …
… “Darwin–Mann” ’ ( letter from Ernst Haeckel, 10 August 1864 ). Haeckel sent Darwin a number of his …
… most of the old Testament’ ( Correspondence vol. 10 , letter to Asa Gray, 6 November [1862] ). …
… but Lyell says when I read his discussion in the Elements [C. Lyell 1865] I shall recant for fifth …
… on intellectual & moral qualities’ ( letter to A. R. Wallace, 28 [May 1864] ). …

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: 25 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 …
… his publishers, he warned that it was ‘dry as dust’ ( letter to R. F. Cooke, 9 September 1879 ). …
… turned out, alas, very dull & has disappointed me much’ ( letter to Francis Galton, 15 [June …
… home again’, he fretted, just days before his departure ( letter to W. T. Thiselton-Dyer, [after 26 …
… many blessings, was finding old age ‘a dismal time’ ( letter to Henry Johnson, 24 September 1879 ) …
… Darwin had written: ‘The worst thing I find now is this d—n’d old age, which creeps slily upon one, …
… nice and good as could be’ ( letter from Karl Beger, [ c. 12 February 1879] ). The masters of …
… of the Admiralty described the unknown young man as ‘A M r Darwin grandson of the well known …
… admiration of his grandfather: ‘The more I read of Dr. D. the higher he rises in my estimation.’ …
… him on 9 June not to ‘expend much powder & shot on M r Butler’, for he really was

Darwin Correspondence Project

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