To J. S. Henslow [30–1 October 1836]
Summary
CD in London to meet with naturalists about his collections. Lyell and Owen are helpful, but no one else, except R. E. Grant, seems to want to examine his specimens.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Stevens Henslow |
| Date: | [30–1 Oct 1836] |
| Classmark: | Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Henslow letters: 32 DAR/1/1/32) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-317 |
Matches: 7 hits
- … Bibliography Buckland, William. 1836. Geology and mineralogy considered with reference to …
- … South America. Being the third part of the geology of the voyage of the Beagle, under the …
- … together with some brief notices on the geology of Australia and the Cape of Good Hope. …
- … Being the second part of the geology of the voyage of the Beagle, under the command of …
- … to London, where I can complete my geology, & try to push on the Zoology . — I assure you …
- … dirty odious London. — For even in Geology, I suspect, much assistance & communication …
- … If I was not much more inclined for geology, than the other branches of Natural History, I …
To Caroline Darwin 29 April 1836
Summary
Keeling Islands, his first coral lagoons; he has been occupied with subject of coral formation for six months.
Very busy at sea rewriting old geological notes. Has difficulties with writing.
FitzRoy has proposed joint account of the journey, combining CD’s journal with his own.
Looks forward with anxiety to Henslow’s reaction to the geological notes.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Caroline Sarah (Caroline) Darwin; Caroline Sarah (Caroline) Wedgwood |
| Date: | 29 Apr 1836 |
| Classmark: | DAR 223 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-301 |
Matches: 4 hits
- … shared by Charles Lyell ( Principles of geology 2: 290–1). In the Autobiography , p. 98, …
- … coral reefs. Being the first part of the geology of the voyage of the Beagle , under the …
- … had no idea. — I am in high spirits about my geology. —& even aspire to the hope that, my …
- … is busy all day in writing, but instead of geology, it is the account of the Voyage. I …
To W. D. Fox 6 November [1836]
Summary
All his affairs are most prosperous. Has found many who will undertake description of animals; he will work at the geology. Lyell has been most friendly and kind.
CD has been proposed to the Geological Society.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | 6 Nov [1836] |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 49) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-319 |
To Caroline Darwin [9 November 1836]
Summary
His fossil bones are unpacked and some are great treasures. He has some geology to do: R. I. Murchison has lent him a map and asked him to look at a part of the country he has been describing.
Their only protection against having Harriet Martineau as sister-in-law is that she works Erasmus too hard.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Caroline Sarah (Caroline) Darwin; Caroline Sarah (Caroline) Wedgwood |
| Date: | [9 Nov 1836] |
| Classmark: | DAR 154: 49 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-321 |
To J. S. Henslow [28–9] January 1836
Summary
His joy at prospect of journey’s end in eight months’ time.
Observations on Australia.
Reports on his collecting in Galapagos – its flora and very curious birds; its instructive geology.
Tahiti and good work of missionaries.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Stevens Henslow |
| Date: | [28–9] Jan 1836 |
| Classmark: | Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Henslow letters: 29 DAR/1/1/29) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-295 |
From Charles Lyell 26 December 1836
Summary
Comments on [MS of] CD’s paper ["Elevation on the coast of Chili" (4 Jan 1837), Collected papers 1: 41–3].
Invites CD to dinner. "Don’t accept any official scientific place, if you can avoid it".
| Author: | Charles Lyell, 1st baronet |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 26 Dec 1836 |
| Classmark: | K. M. Lyell (1881) 1: 474–5 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-335 |
From Susan Darwin 12 February 1836
Summary
CD’s 27th birthday. News of family and friends. A niece, Mary Susan Parker, born 31 January.
| Author: | Susan Elizabeth Darwin |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 12 Feb 1836 |
| Classmark: | DAR 97(ser. 2): 30–1 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-297 |
To Phillip Parker King [21 January 1836]
Summary
CD informs PPK of his impending arrival at Dunheved, Penrith; news of his journey thus far.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Phillip Parker King |
| Date: | [21 Jan 1836] |
| Classmark: | Bathurst District Historical Society |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-293 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … I have seen nothing remarkable in the Geology or indeed I may add in anything else: It …
From Emma Wedgwood to F. E. E. Wedgwood [17 December 1836]
Summary
The Darwin family are anxious for FEEW’s and Hensleigh’s opinions of CD’s journal. EW is convinced that Henry Holland is wrong if he thinks it not worth publishing.
| Author: | Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin |
| Addressee: | Frances Emma Elizabeth (Fanny) Mackintosh; Frances Emma Elizabeth (Fanny) Wedgwood |
| Date: | [17 Dec 1836] |
| Classmark: | V&A / Wedgwood Collection (MS WM 233) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-328 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … Bibliography Buckland, William. 1836. Geology and mineralogy considered with reference to …
From S. E. (Elizabeth) Wedgwood to Hensleigh Wedgwood [16] November [1836]
Summary
Describes CD’s visit to Maer on his return from Beagle voyage.
| Author: | Sarah Elizabeth (Elizabeth) Wedgwood |
| Addressee: | Hensleigh Wedgwood |
| Date: | [16] Nov [1836] |
| Classmark: | V&A / Wedgwood Collection (MS W/M 129) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-322 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … coral reefs. Being the first part of the geology of the voyage of the Beagle , under the …
To Susan Darwin 4 August [1836]
Summary
Beagle is again in Brazil because of need to check on "singular disagreements in the Longitudes".
Pleased by Sedgwick’s praise.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Susan Elizabeth Darwin |
| Date: | 4 Aug [1836] |
| Classmark: | DAR 223: 37 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-306 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … to work, with a good will at my old work of Geology. You would be surprised to know, how …
To Caroline Darwin [7 December 1836]
Summary
Dinner at the Hensleigh Wedgwoods’. They have agreed to go over his journal. Henry Holland thinks it not worth publishing alone because it goes over FitzRoy’s ground.
His impressions of Harriet Martineau: "She is overwhelmed with her own projects, her own thoughts and own abilities."
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Caroline Sarah (Caroline) Darwin; Caroline Sarah (Caroline) Wedgwood |
| Date: | [7 Dec 1836] |
| Classmark: | DAR 154: 50 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-325 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … much sincerity. I shall go on with the geology and let the journal take care of itself. I …
To J. S. Henslow 9 July 1836
Summary
Asks JSH to propose him for Geological Society. His meeting with Sir John Herschel and Andrew Smith at Cape of Good Hope.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Stevens Henslow |
| Date: | 9 July 1836 |
| Classmark: | Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Henslow letters: 30 DAR/1/1/30) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-304 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … permit me, I hope to see a little of the Geology, (so often partially described) of this …
To Caroline Darwin 18 July 1836
Summary
In five days of geologising on St Helena, he found that the shells on high land had been mistakenly identified as seashells. They are land shells, but of species no longer living.
Can think of nothing but the return to England and his family.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Caroline Sarah (Caroline) Darwin; Caroline Sarah (Caroline) Wedgwood |
| Date: | 18 July 1836 |
| Classmark: | DAR 223: 36 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-305 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … of researches : Journal of researches into the geology and natural history of the various …
To W. D. Fox 15 February 1836
Summary
Finds the voyage tedious at present.
Expects that the different scientific societies will be of the greatest use to his work in London when he returns home.
Gives some impressions of Australia.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | 15 Feb 1836 |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 48) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-299 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … I draw up very imperfect sketches of the Geology of all the places, to which we pay flying …
To Susan Darwin 28 January 1836
Summary
CD’s impressions of Sydney and of FitzRoy’s character and temperament.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Susan Elizabeth Darwin |
| Date: | 28 Jan 1836 |
| Classmark: | DAR 223 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-294 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … interior. — My object was partly for Geology, but chiefly to get an idea of the state of …
From C. D. Douglas 5 January 1836
Summary
Reports in detail on the 20 Feb 1835 earthquake and on volcanic activity into December of 1835. Encloses a letter sent to him describing the earthquake.
| Author: | Charles D. Douglas |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 5 Jan 1836 |
| Classmark: | DAR 39.1: 5–6 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-292 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … to several observations & querries in geology, Astronomy, Hydraulics &c, but considering …
| letter | (17) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (12) |
| Darwin, Emma | (1) |
| Darwin, S. E. | (1) |
| Douglas, C. D. | (1) |
| Lyell, Charles | (1) |
| Darwin, Caroline | (4) |
| Wedgwood, Caroline | (4) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (3) |
| Henslow, J. S. | (3) |
| Darwin, S. E. | (2) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (15) |
| Darwin, Caroline | (4) |
| Wedgwood, Caroline | (4) |
| Darwin, S. E. | (3) |
| Henslow, J. S. | (3) |
Darwin & Geology
Summary
The lessons Darwin learned from Adam Sedgwick at Cambridge, and in the field in North Wales, stood him in good stead during the Beagle voyage. While he was attached to the Beagle from 1831 to 1835, Darwin actually spent about two-thirds of his time ashore,…
Matches: 8 hits
- … actually spent about two-thirds of his time ashore, where geology was his single most frequent …
- … and the coral reefs of the Pacific, Darwin’s notes on geology accumulated twice as fast as those on …
- … he believed the same basic processes that had shaped the geology of South America were also at work …
- … of the previous decade by publishing three volumes on the geology of the Beagle voyage, but as …
- … for further reading… On Darwin’s work in geology: Herbert, Sandra. 2005. …
- … A. 1991. The discovery of a vocation: Darwin’s early geology. British Journal for the History of …
- … of Science 9: 199–218. On the history of geology: Greene, Mott C. 1982. …
- … Laudan, Rachel. 1994 [1987]. From mineralogy to geology . Chicago: University of Chicago Press …
The geology of the Beagle voyage
Summary
The primary concern that linked much of Darwin’s geological work in the Beagle years was to understand the changing relation between the levels of land and sea. As he studied the shores of South America, and discovered shells inland at thousands of feet…
Darwin’s introduction to geology
Summary
Darwin collected minerals as a child and was introduced to the science of geology at the University of Edinburgh, but he only became actively interested in the subject as he was completing his degree at Cambridge.
Bibliography of Darwin’s geological publications
Summary
This list includes papers read by Darwin to the Geological Society of London, his books on the geology of the Beagle voyage, and other publications on geological topics. Author-date citations refer to entries in the Darwin Correspondence Project’s…
Matches: 10 hits
- … Darwin to the Geological Society of London, his books on the geology of the Beagle voyage, and …
- … and distribution of coral reefs. Being the first part of the geology of the voyage of the Beagle, …
- … of HMS Beagle, together with some brief notices on the geology of Australia and the Cape of Good …
- … observations on South America. Being the third part of the geology of the voyage of the Beagle, …
- … London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1846. [F273.] —On the geology of the Falkland Islands. …
- … [ Shorter publications , pp. 209-17. F1677.] —Geology. Section VI, pp. 156-95, in A …
- … for further reading… On Darwin’s work in geology: Herbert, Sandra. 2005. …
- … James A. 1991. The discovery of a vocation: Darwin’s early geology. British Journal for the …
- … of Science 9: 199–218. On the history of geology: Greene, Mott C. 1982. …
- … Laudan, Rachel. 1994 [1987]. From mineralogy to geology . Chicago: University of Chicago Press. …
Darwin in letters, 1847-1850: Microscopes and barnacles
Summary
Darwin's study of barnacles, begun in 1844, took him eight years to complete. The correspondence reveals how his interest in a species found during the Beagle voyage developed into an investigation of the comparative anatomy of other cirripedes and…
Matches: 8 hits
- … Hooker: ‘I hope this next summer to finish my S. American geology; then to get out a little zoology …
- … from these years and a series of interesting exchanges on geology with David Milne, Robert Chambers, …
- … through the mountains. Hooker writes of the complicated geology of the area, of the community of …
- … with which they had come to regard each other. Geology, and geological controversy …
- … Sir John Frederick William Herschel, to write the chapter on geology ( letter to J. F. W. Herschel, …
- … the zoological chapter, show how they divided the topics of geology and zoology between them. Owen …
- … contribute most to the leading questions of contemporary geology. Perhaps with himself in mind, he …
- … in the preparation of new editions of his Principles of geology and Manual of elementary …
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: 8 hits
- … on various subjects to major theoretical monographs in geology. In addition, he organised and …
- … and sold separately as Journal of researches into the geology and natural history of the various …
- … one of Darwin’s visits to Maer in Staffordshire. Geology Darwin’s work and …
- … an application of his Beagle work, and it too was in geology. In 1838 he set out on a geological …
- … of the Beagle voyage In addition to his work on geology Darwin undertook to provide a …
- … network that Darwin established as he worked on the geology and zoology of the voyage a most …
- … lately been sadly tempted to be idle, that is as far as pure geology is concerned, by the delightful …
- … these years was that it put an end to further field work in geology. From his South American days he …
The Lyell–Lubbock dispute
Summary
In May 1865 a dispute arose between John Lubbock and Charles Lyell when Lubbock, in his book Prehistoric times, accused Lyell of plagiarism. The dispute caused great dismay among many of their mutual scientific friends, some of whom took immediate action…
Matches: 4 hits
- … Lyell had begun work on a sixth edition of Elements of geology (C. Lyell 1865). At the same time …
- … book had been completed and set in type for Elements of geology in 1860 and then re-set in 1861 …
- … in 1860 for the sixth edition of the ‘ Elements of geology ’ 34 [C. Lyell 1865], and the …
- … , pp. lx–lxxv. Lyell, Charles. 1865. Elements of geology, or the ancient changes of the …
Commentary
Summary
This section provides pages of commentary on the following themes: Evolution Geology Life sciences Human nature Religion
Matches: 1 hits
- … on the following themes: Evolution Geology Life sciences …
Darwin & coral reefs
Summary
The central idea of Darwin's theory of coral reef formation, as it was later formulated, was that the islands were formed by the upward growth of coral as the Pacific Ocean floor gradually subsided. It overturned previous ideas and would in itself…
Darwin & the Geological Society
Summary
The science of geology in the early nineteenth century was a relatively new enterprise forged from the merging of several distinct traditions of inquiry, from mineralogy and the very practical business of mining, to theories of the earth’s origin and the…
Science, Work and Manliness
Summary
Discussion Questions|Letters In 1859, popular didactic writer William Landels published the first edition of what proved to be one of his best-selling works, How Men Are Made. "It is by work, work, work" he told his middle class audience, …
Darwin in letters, 1844–1846: Building a scientific network
Summary
The scientific results of the Beagle voyage still dominated Darwin's working life, but he broadened his continuing investigations into the nature and origin of species. Far from being a recluse, Darwin was at the heart of British scientific society,…
Matches: 3 hits
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: 26 hits
- … Natural History, and Journal of Zoology, Botany, Mineralogy, Geology and Meteorology ] read …
- … [Lisyansky 1814]— nothing Lyell’s Elements of Geology [Lyell 1838] Gibbon’s Life of …
- … my subjects Elie de Beaumont’s 2 vol of memoirs on Geology of France [Dufrénoy and Élie de …
- … life of Johnsons [Boswell 1831] 4 vols 25 Phillips Geology [J. Phillips 1837–9] Lardners 2 …
- … need not try them again. 18 th . Maclarens Geology of Fife [Maclaren 1839] References at …
- … Natural History, and Journal of Zoology, Botany, Mineralogy, Geology and Meteorology ] 4. Vol. …
- … the Horse [W. C. L. Martin 1845b] —— Hitchock’s Geology of Mass: [Hitchcock 1841] (skimmed) …
- … [DAR 119: 22a] 1849. Feb 8 th . Geology of Russia by Murchison. Veneuil &c …
- … of the Creator [H. Miller 1849] Dec. 10. Dana’s Geology. U.S. Expedition [J. D. Dana 1849] …
- … Sanatory Reform [Anon. 1850].— April 5 Manual of Geology Lyell [Lyell 1851] —— 30 …
- … it. & buy it.— 112 Jukes. “Students Manual of Geology” [Jukes 1857]— published a few …
- … Insects [T. W. Harris 1842] Jukes Student Manual of Geology [Jukes 1857] Azara’s …
- … the years 1797 and 1798, including observations on the geology and geography, the natural …
- … Library.] 119: 2a Buckland, William. 1836. Geology and mineralogy considered with …
- … *119: 3v.; 119: 5a Dana, James Dwight. 1849. Geology . Vol. 10 of United States …
- … New Zealand; with contributions to the geography, geology, botany, and natural history …
- … their scientific institutions, and a few notices of the geology and mineralogy of those …
- … Survey of Great Britain, and of the Museum of Practical Geology in London 2, pt 2: 457–82. …
- … Survey of Great Britain, and of the Museum of Practical Geology in London 2, pt 2: 483–534. …
- … or, original memoirs in medicine, surgery, physiology, geology, zoology, and comparative anatomy …
- … 13a Hitchcock, Edward. 1841. Final report on the geology of Massachusetts . 2 vols. …
- … 119: 20a ——. 1857. The student’s manual of geology. Edinburgh. [Darwin Library.] *128 …
- … 119: 3a Lyell, Charles. 1837. Principles of geology: being an inquiry how far the …
- … Library.] 119: 3a ——. 1838. Elements of geology . London. [Darwin Library.] 119: 2a …
- … 119: 16a ——. 1847. Principles of geology; or, the modern changes of the earth and its …
- … 22a Lyell, Charles. 1851. A manual of elementary geology; or, the ancient changes of …
Living and fossil cirripedia
Summary
Darwin published four volumes on barnacles, the crustacean sub-class Cirripedia, between 1851 and 1854, two on living species and two on fossil species. Written for a specialist audience, they are among the most challenging and least read of Darwin’s works…
John Murray
Summary
Darwin's most famous book On the origin of species by means of natural selection (Origin) was published on 22 November 1859. The publisher was John Murray, who specialised in non-fiction, particularly politics, travel and science, and had published…
Matches: 5 hits
- … as head of the business in 1843, had spent a year studying geology at Edinburgh University; as a …
- … he asked his friend Charles Lyell, whose Principles of geology (1830-3) had proved to be a …
- … contributed a section on using a microscope and a chapter on geology to A manual of scientific …
- … his authors and added Origin to his list: but although geology was his favourite hobby and he …
- … pseudonym ‘Verifier’ an essay entitled Scepticism in Geology (1877), an argument against Lyell’s …
Darwin’s earthquakes
Summary
Darwin experienced his first earthquake in 1834, but it was a few months later that he was really confronted with their power. Travelling north along the coast of Chile, Darwin and Robert FitzRoy, captain of HMS Beagle, were confronted with a series of…
Matches: 1 hits
- … the low coral islands of the Pacific Ocean, and even the geology of Europe. In his Red Notebook …
Journal of researches
Summary
Within two months of the Beagle’s arrival back in England in October 1836, Darwin, although busy with distributing his specimens among specialists for description, and more interested in working on his geological research, turned his mind to the task of…
Matches: 5 hits
- … with the new title Journal of Researches into the geology and natural history of the various …
- … of animals will occupy a large portion, sketches of the geology, the appearance of the country, and …
- … where he set out his views on human migration and reconciled geology with the Biblical account. ‘You …
- … food as an egg ’; William Henry Fitton considered the geology to be ‘excellent’ while relishing the …
- … title Journal of researches into the natural history and geology of the countries visited during …
Darwin & Glen Roy
Summary
Although Darwin was best known for his geological work in South America and other remote Beagle destinations, he made one noteworthy attempt to explain a puzzling feature of British geology. In 1838, two years after returning from the voyage, he travelled…
Matches: 1 hits
- … noteworthy attempt to explain a puzzling feature of British geology. In 1838, two years after …
Darwin in letters, 1821-1836: Childhood to the Beagle voyage
Summary
Darwin's first known letters were written when he was twelve. They continue through school-days at Shrewsbury, two years as a medical student at Edinburgh University, the undergraduate years at Cambridge, and the of the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle.…
Matches: 3 hits
Charles Lyell
Summary
As an author, friend and correspondent, Charles Lyell played a crucial role in shaping Darwin's scientific life. Born to a wealthy gentry family in Scotland in 1797, Lyell had a classical and legal education but by the 1820s had become entranced by…
