To J. D. Hooker [4 March 1868]
Summary
Arrangements to dine at JDH’s club.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
| Date: | [4 Mar 1868] |
| Classmark: | Cleveland Health Sciences Library |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-13816 |
To Charles Lyell [9 March 1868]
Summary
Asks to borrow Philosophical Transactions, vol. 157, pt 2 (1868).
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Charles Lyell, 1st baronet |
| Date: | [9 Mar 1868] |
| Classmark: | Department of Special Collections, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas (KU MSS P87: 2) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5768 |
From Sarah Elizabeth Wedgwood to Emma Darwin [30 March – 12 April 1868]
Summary
Observations on the first appearance of tears in a baby.
| Author: | Sarah Elizabeth (Elizabeth) Wedgwood |
| Addressee: | Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin |
| Date: | [30 Mar – 12 Apr 1868] |
| Classmark: | DAR 181: 70 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5830 |
To Rolla Charles Meadows Rouse [after 12 March 1868]
Summary
Discusses tuition arrangements for Horace Darwin.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Rolla Charles Meadows Rouse |
| Date: | [after 12 Mar 1868] |
| Classmark: | DAR 96: 39-40 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5962 |
To Edward Hewitt [c. 22 March 1868]
Summary
Asks for facts relating to courtship of birds and especially cases of females preferring particular males.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Edward Hewitt |
| Date: | [c. 22 Mar 1868] |
| Classmark: | DAR 96: 41 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5963 |
From J. J. Weir [before 3] March 1868
Summary
Aggressive behaviour of a bullfinch toward new arrival in JJW’s aviary.
Sexual differences in goldfinches: size of beaks.
Sexual selection in Lepidoptera.
Thinks Dr Alex Wallace’s observations on Bombyx not conclusive in proving that no preference is shown by females.
| Author: | John Jenner Weir |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [before 3] Mar 1868 |
| Classmark: | DAR 84.1: 51–2 and DAR 82: A107–8 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5964 |
From A. R. Wallace 1 March 1868
Summary
Offers enclosure demonstrating that natural selection could produce sterility of hybrids.
More on Pangenesis and the inadequacy of H. Spencer’s approach.
| Author: | Alfred Russel Wallace |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 1 Mar 1868 |
| Classmark: | DAR 106: B49–50, B53–5 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5966 |
To Henry Doubleday 1 March [1868]
Summary
Has been interested in copy of HD’s letter to H. T. Stainton on numerical proportions of the sexes of insects. Do they vary during different years?
Does he have opinions about the courtships of butterflies?
Will send a copy of his paper on Primula when it is published. [See 5997.]
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Henry Doubleday |
| Date: | 1 Mar [1868] |
| Classmark: | George W. Platzman (private collection) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5966A |
To H. T. Stainton 2 March [1868]
Summary
Thanks HTS for his valuable information. Hopes to arrive at probable answer to question of proportion of males to females in the progeny of butterflies bred in domestication.
On courtship of butterflies, CD believes something more than chance is involved in determining which male is successful.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Henry Tibbats Stainton |
| Date: | 2 Mar [1868] |
| Classmark: | Natural History Museum (General Manuscripts MSS DAR 23) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5967 |
From George Henry Lewes 2 March 1868
Summary
Is engaged on an article for Fortnightly Review on Variation ["Mr Darwin’s hypotheses", n.s. 9: 353–73, 611–28; n.s. 10: 61–80, 492–509]. Asks CD some questions.
While he agrees with natural selection, he believes many "organic details" develop irrespective of advantage.
| Author: | George Henry Lewes |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 2 Mar 1868 |
| Classmark: | DAR 106: D5–6 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5969 |
From J. E. Gray 2 March 1868
Summary
Canine teeth in males are always larger than in females and certainly so in Cervulus moschus.
| Author: | John Edward Gray |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 2 Mar 1868 |
| Classmark: | DAR 83: 159–60 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5970 |
From W. E. Darwin 3 March [1868]
Summary
Asks CD to collect from the Jermyn Street Museum a box containing a skull and bones which belong to Mr Cumberbatch.
| Author: | William Erasmus Darwin |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 3 Mar [1868] |
| Classmark: | Cornford Family Papers (DAR 275: 35) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5970F |
To J. E. Gray 2 March [1868]
Summary
Thanks JEG for answering questions so fully and clearly, especially as he is troubled with his eyes.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Edward Gray |
| Date: | 2 Mar [1868] |
| Classmark: | Winterbourne House and Garden, University of Birmingham (University Herbarium) (WBHERB.HST.L.25.1) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5970G |
From J. D. Hooker [3 March 1868]
Summary
Now quite understands Pangenesis. Satisfaction given by it, as CD says, may depend on one’s mental constitution. In all cases of descent JDH has always thought "all the properties of the parents are transmitted in the one cell and were diffused to every part of the future offspring".
Tyndall believes he feels atoms as firmly as St Paul believed he saw Christ.
| Author: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [3 Mar 1868] |
| Classmark: | DAR 102: 204–7 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5971 |
From John Murray 3 March [1868]
Summary
JM offers a note for 400 guineas as author’s payment on sale of 1250 copies of 2d issue of Variation.
| Author: | John Murray |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 3 Mar [1868] |
| Classmark: | DAR 171: 357 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5972 |
From C. S. Bate 3 March 1868
Summary
Quotes information from Dr Power on colour of sexes of Crustacea in Mauritius [see Descent 1: 335].
| Author: | Charles Spence Bate |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 3 Mar 1868 |
| Classmark: | DAR 82: A65–6 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5973 |
To William Sedgwick 4 March [1868]
Summary
Thanks WS for information about moss roses and the Le Compte family.
Mentions WS’s recent papers on inheritance [Brit. & Foreign Med.-Chirurg. Rev. (1867)].
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Sedgwick, William |
| Date: | 4 Mar [1868] |
| Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.347) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5975 |
To C. S. Vesselofski 4 March 1868
Summary
Acknowledges his election as a Corresponding Member of the Imperial Academy of Sciences, St Petersburg.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Constantin Stepanovich Vesselofski |
| Date: | 4 Mar 1868 |
| Classmark: | Archive of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St Petersburg branch: SPBB ARAS (Fond 1. Register 2-1868. Folder 17. P65, 65 r) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5976 |
From Jonathan Peel 4 March 1868
Summary
Sends copy of a paper on his flock of sheep, which confirms much of what CD says in Variation,
together with a note he made of an instance of cattle "determining the existence" of a tree [cf. Origin, ch. 3].
| Author: | Jonathan Peel |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 4 Mar 1868 |
| Classmark: | DAR 46.1: 96–7 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5977 |
To John Murray 4 March [1868]
Summary
Payment of 400 guineas [Variation royalties] delights CD.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 4 Mar [1868] |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42153 f. 36) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5978 |
| letter | (121) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (54) |
| Weir, J. J. | (9) |
| Wallace, A. R. | (5) |
| Darwin, W. E. | (3) |
| Trimen, Roland | (3) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (66) |
| Darwin, W. E. | (4) |
| Weir, J. J. | (4) |
| Hooker, J. D. | (3) |
| Murray, John (b) | (3) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (120) |
| Weir, J. J. | (13) |
| Wallace, A. R. | (8) |
| Darwin, W. E. | (7) |
| Trimen, Roland | (6) |
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: 24 hits
- … (1) Abney, W. de W. (3) Accademia dei Lincei …
- … (1) Ainslie, O. A. (3) Airy, Hubert …
- … (4) Alberts, Maurice (3) Albrecht, R. F. …
- … (1) Ambrose, J. L. (3) American Academy of …
- … (1) Anderson, James (c) (3) Anderson-Henry, …
- … (1) Badger, E. W. (3) Baer, K. E. von …
- … (1) Balch, C. L. (3) Baldwin, J. D. …
- … (5) Ball, Robert (3) Ball, Valentine …
- … (1) Beal, W. J. (3) Beale, L. S. (2) …
- … (1) Beddoe, John (3) Beger, Karl (2) …
- … (66) Bergson, Edouard (3) Bergstedt, C. F. …
- … (4) Blake, C. C. (3) Blanche (2) …
- … (1) Blewitt, Octavian (3) Blomefield, Leonard …
- … (5) Boole, M. E. (3) Boott, Francis …
- … (1) Bornet, Édouard (3) Bosquet, J. A. H. de …
- … (1) Bouton, Louis (3) Bowerbank, J. S. …
- … (1) Bridgman, W. K. (3) Brigg, John …
- … (1) Brown-Séquard, C. É. (3) Browne, H. G. C. …
- … (2) Burgess, Thomas (3) Burn, Robert …
- … (1) Bush, John (3) Busk, George (18) …
- … (2) Butler, Mary (3) Butler, Samuel (b) …
- … (1) Campbell, G. D. (3) Canby, W. M. …
- … (9) Cattell, John (3) Cecil, Henry …
- … (7) Chance, Frank (3) Chancellor of the …
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: 5 hits
- … at all concern his main argument ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 3 January [1860] ). Darwin’s …
- … been ‘ utterly smashed’ ( letter to T. H. Huxley, 3 July [1860] ). (A chronological list of all …
- … and five botanists ( see letter to J. D. Hooker, 3 March [1860] ). Others, like François Jules …
- … I gaze at it, makes me sick!’ ( letter to Asa Gray, 3 April [1860] ). By the end of 1860, …
- … is best thing for subject.—’ ( letter to T. H. Huxley, 3 July [1860] ). Further details of the …
Teaching Evolution at Key Stage 3? Join our December workshop
Summary
This free, exciting training and consultation event takes place on Tuesday 12th December at Cambridge University Library, 9.00-4.30. The workshop aims to support KS3 science teachers in delivering informed, dynamic Darwin-based sessions.
Matches: 1 hits
- … This exciting training and consultation event takes place on Tuesday 12th December at Cambridge …
Darwin in letters, 1868: Studying sex
Summary
The quantity of Darwin’s correspondence increased dramatically in 1868 due largely to his ever-widening research on human evolution and sexual selection.Darwin’s theory of sexual selection as applied to human descent led him to investigate aspects of the…
Matches: 8 hits
- … of a ‘short essay’ on man ( letter to Ernst Haeckel, 3 July 1868 ). But this work would eventually …
- … pages feel fairly nauseated’ ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 3 February [1868] ). But such worries were …
- … kind almost heroic, in you to sacrifice your hair and pay 3 d in the cause of science …
- … canary (letters from J. J. Weir, [26] March 1868 and 3 June 1868 ). ‘It was very kind’, …
- … on 9 September . Darwin annotated a letter sent on 3 April by Henry Doubleday that contained a …
- … you have communicated to me’ ( letter to Fritz Müller, 3 June 1868 ). it is a fatal …
- … of species through the study of monstrosities, remarked on 3 April , ‘your works are destined to …
- … admirer of your genius’, wrote Frederick Behrens on 3 December , ‘I presume you are much plagued …
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: 6 hits
- … Surgeons [DAR *119: 1] Books to be Read 3 “Traité de la Folie des …
- … on Annals of Nat. Hist. [Jenyns 1838] Prichard; a 3 d . vol [Prichard 1836–47] Lawrence [W. …
- … ou Traité de Tératologie, par I. Geoffroy-Saint Hilaire, 3 vols. 8vo. et atlas de 20 planches. ibid, …
- … of Human wishes. 28 Bacon’s Essays [Bacon 1825–36].— Butler. 3. first sermons …
- … 1826]— (read) Pallas’ Travels [Pallas 1802–3]— Hookker (623 no) read Darby’s Louisiana …
- … Drinkwater] 1833]— Prof. Smyth. French Revolution 3 vols [Smyth 1840] Baber’s …
Rewriting Origin - the later editions
Summary
For such an iconic work, the text of Origin was far from static. It was a living thing that Darwin continued to shape for the rest of his life, refining his ‘one long argument’ through a further five English editions. Many of his changes were made in…
Matches: 4 hits
- … ( to Charles Layton, 24 November [1869] ). From the 3 rd edition on, each English …
- … ( Origin 2d ed, p. 481). 2 nd to 3 rd editions; US edition …
- … changes, was doomed to disappointment. 3 rd to 4 th editions …
- … to include at least one change only previously made in the 3 rd German edition . I …
Language: Interview with Gregory Radick
Summary
Darwin made a famous comment about parallels between changes in language and species change. Gregory Radick, Professor of History and Philosophy of Science at Leeds University, talks about the importance of the development of language to Darwin, what…
Darwin in letters, 1875: Pulling strings
Summary
‘I am getting sick of insectivorous plants’, Darwin confessed in January 1875. He had worked on the subject intermittently since 1859, and had been steadily engaged on a book manuscript for nine months; January also saw the conclusion of a bitter dispute…
Matches: 5 hits
- … to the subject of cross and self-fertilisation. On 3 October , he wrote with fresh enthusiasm to …
- … other interested parties. Darwin was summoned to testify on 3 November. It caused him much anxiety, …
- … for printing an additional 250 ( letter to John Murray, 3 May 1875 ). In the event, the …
- … weekly publications of Natural History’, he explained on 3 June , ‘are not sufficiently …
- … time I can talk to anyone’ ( letter to John Lubbock, 3 May [1875] ). Finally it was arranged for …
Dates of composition of Darwin's manuscript on species
Summary
Many of the dates of letters in 1856 and 1857 were based on or confirmed by reference to Darwin’s manuscript on species (DAR 8--15.1, inclusive; transcribed and published as Natural selection). This manuscript, begun in May 1856, was nearly completed by…
Darwin's Fantastical Voyage
Summary
Learn about Darwin's adventures on his epic journey.
Matches: 1 hits
- … These activities explore Darwin’s life changing voyage aboard HMS Beagle. Using letters home, …
Detecting Darwin
Summary
Who was Charles Darwin? What is he famous for? Why is he still important?
Matches: 1 hits
- … Pupils act as Darwin detectives, exploring clues about Darwin’s life and work. No prior knowledge …
Darwin And Evolution
Summary
What is evolution? What did Darwin discover and how did he come to his conclusions?
Matches: 1 hits
- … Activities give an introduction to Charles Darwin and his theories of evolution. Specimens brought …
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),…
Home learning: 7-11 years
Summary
Do try this at home! Support your children’s learning by downloading our free and fun activities for those aged between 7-11 and 11-14 years, using Darwin’s letters.
Matches: 1 hits
- … and the Beagle Voyage activities 3 Learn about Darwin the collector: …
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: 4 hits
- … – Asa Gray Actor 2 – Charles Darwin Actor 3 – In the dress of a modern day archivist, …
- … friend, the botanist, Joseph D Hooker GRAY: 3 Charles Darwin… made his home on …
- … quite kindly, and told me… Hugh Falconer (Actor 3) – a Scottish paleobotanist and …
- … and in a lesser degree ‘Blood’s One Penny Envelope, 1, 3, and 10 cents’. If you will make him this …
Teachers notes: Offer of a lifetime
Summary
The Offer of a Lifetime? Activities for: English Key Stage 3 and 4 When Darwin was 22 he received an exciting and unique opportunity to join HMS Beagle. The voyage changed his life but the letters show how close he came to not going at all! …
Matches: 1 hits
- … a Lifetime? Activities for: English Key Stage 3 and 4 When Darwin was 22 he …
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: 5 hits
- … ( see letter from Hugh Falconer to Erasmus Alvey Darwin, 3 January 1865 ). Erasmus forwarded his …
- … these alone are unalloyed’ ( letter from J. D. Hooker, 3 February 1865 ). Darwin, now …
- … than anything else. I am able most days to work for 2 or 3 hours & this makes all the difference …
- … the serenity of the Christian world’ (Brewster 1862, p. 3). John Hutton Balfour, though he had sent …
- … of reform and reorganisation ( letter from J. D. Hooker, [3 November 1865] ). The death of …
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: 4 hits
- … Adventure and Beagle Supplement / to the 2 nd 3 rd and Appendix Volumes of the First / …
- … on the Cocos – &c &c – above mentioned. [ f.148r p.3 ] Seeing as I could not help …
- … that I have said, or shewn to the contrary. In the 3 rd It is generally understood – that …
- … get the few deep soundings which are given in the plan *[3] V. Until the 12 th …
Darwin's in letters, 1873: Animal or vegetable?
Summary
Having laboured for nearly five years on human evolution, sexual selection, and the expression of emotions, Darwin was able to devote 1873 almost exclusively to his beloved plants. He resumed work on the digestive powers of sundews and Venus fly traps, and…
Matches: 5 hits
- … of inheritance!” ( letter to F. S. B. F. de Chaumont, 3 February [1873] ). Some readers …
- … civilisation and good breeding ( letter from Henry Reeks, 3 March 1873 ). Robert Swinhoe …
- … some with his finger ( letter to Nature , [before 3 April 1873] ). Moggridge suggested the …
- … offend his father ( enclosure to letter from T. H. Huxley, 3 December 1873 ). In April, …
- … the passage of purgatory” ( letter from Andrew Clark, 3 September 1873 ). Revising …
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: 5 hits
- … duck most beautiful’ ( letter from A. R. Wallace, 3 March 1872 ). I consider that you …
- … because I do it badly’ ( letter to A. R. Wallace, 3 August [1872] ). Darwin's …
- … , and he complained to the German zoologist Anton Dohrn on 3 February that Mivart’s book had ' …
- … Nature in Wallace’s defence ( letter to Nature , 3 August [1872] ). Although the two …
- … more ‘ she observed ( letter from S. H. Haliburton, 3 November [1872] ). They reminisced about …
