From F. M. Balfour [20 March – 14 April 1875]
Summary
Gives Carl Claus’s identifications of the organisms sent by CD.
| Author: | Francis Maitland Balfour |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [20 Mar – 14 Apr 1875] |
| Classmark: | DAR 58.1: 149 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9203 |
To H. K. Rusden [before 27 March 1875]
Summary
Thanks for copy of lecture (Rusden 1874: Selection, natural and artificial, a lecture delivered in the Wangaratta Athenaeum by Mr. H. K. Rusden on Monday, October 26th, 1874) and essay (Rusden 1872: The treatment of criminals in relation to science, an essay read before the Royal Society of Victoria).
Comments on the essay.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Henry Keylock Rusden |
| Date: | [before 27 Mar 1875] |
| Classmark: | Ovens and Murray Advertiser, 27 March 1875, p. 5 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9705F |
From Oswald Heer 1 March 1875
Summary
Comments on his Flora fossilis Arctica [vol. 3 (1875)]. Discusses successive appearance of plant families in geological periods. Relates plant development to rise of herbivorous mammals.
Comments on death of Charles Lyell.
| Author: | Oswald Heer |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 1 Mar 1875 |
| Classmark: | DAR 166: 130 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9876 |
From George Cupples 1 March 1875
Summary
Thanks for presentation copy of Descent, 2d ed.
| Author: | George Cupples |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 1 Mar 1875 |
| Classmark: | DAR 161: 303 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9877 |
From Frederic Harrison to G. H. Darwin 1 March 1875
Summary
Enquires about CD’s views on cousin marriages.
| Author: | Frederic Harrison |
| Addressee: | George Howard Darwin |
| Date: | 1 Mar 1875 |
| Classmark: | DAR 251: 1893 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9877F |
From Moritz Traube 2 March 1875
Summary
Sends two treatises which explain cell-wall formation and some aspects of cell growth in physico-chemical terms ["Experimente zur Theorie d. Zellenbildung und Endosmose", Arch. Anat. Physiol. (1867): 87–128, 126–65].
| Author: | Moritz Traube |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 2 Mar 1875 |
| Classmark: | DAR 178: 176 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9878 |
To Moritz Traube 5 March 1875
Summary
Thanks correspondent for two essays.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Moritz Traube |
| Date: | 5 Mar 1875 |
| Classmark: | Library of Congress Manuscript Division (Francis Storr Correspondence (Mss2304)) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9879 |
To [M. T. Masters?] 7 March 1875
Summary
Thanks correspondent for article on CD in Gardeners’ Chronicle.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Maxwell Tylden Masters |
| Date: | 7 Mar 1875 |
| Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.464) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9880 |
To Oswald Heer 8 March [1875]
Summary
Thanks OH for his book [see 9876]; agrees that the sudden appearance of many dicotyledons in the Upper Chalk is a perplexing phenomenon for the evolutionist.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Oswald Heer |
| Date: | 8 Mar [1875] |
| Classmark: | Zentralbibliothek Zürich (Nachlass Oswald Heer 213.2) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9881 |
From G. A. Wolfe 9 March 1875
Summary
CD’s Descent.
Fighting among beetles.
Similarity between dogs and men; intelligence of dogs.
| Author: | Gould Anne Ruxton; Gould Anne Wolfe |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 9 Mar 1875 |
| Classmark: | DAR 181: 135 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9882 |
To ? 10 March 1875
Summary
No uniform edition of CD’s works has appeared in England.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Unidentified |
| Date: | 10 Mar 1875 |
| Classmark: | Christie’s, London (dealers) (online 31 October – 8 November 2018, lot 5) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9882F |
To P. P. C. Hoek 11 March 1875
Summary
Thanks for publication [Berste bijdrage tot een nauwkeuriger kennis der sessile cirripedien (1875)]. Cannot read Dutch. Mentions PPCH’s research on cirripedes.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Paulus Peronius Cato Hoek |
| Date: | 11 Mar 1875 |
| Classmark: | Artis Library (P.P.C. Hoek Archive, Darwin correspondence) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9883 |
From A. W. Bennett 12 March 1875
Summary
Has found the relation of pollen-grain size to style size in Primula to be the opposite of CD’s view; asks whether there is an error or just remarkable variation.
| Author: | Alfred William Bennett |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 12 Mar 1875 |
| Classmark: | DAR 160: 143 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9884 |
From Lawson Tait 12 March [1875]
Summary
Purpose of bushy tails; their usefulness to their owners as a means of keeping warm.
| Author: | Robert Lawson (Lawson) Tait |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 12 Mar [1875] |
| Classmark: | DAR 178: 2 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9885 |
To Lawson Tait [13–15 March 1875]
Summary
Thinks CD is right about the retention of a tail.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Robert Lawson (Lawson) Tait |
| Date: | [13–15 Mar 1875] |
| Classmark: | Birmingham Daily Post, 8 April 1875, p. 6 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9885F |
To Chauncey Wright 13 March 1875
Summary
Discusses function of the eyebrows in protecting the eyes from sweat.
Mentions notices in the Nation.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Chauncey Wright |
| Date: | 13 Mar 1875 |
| Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9886 |
From W. B. Dawkins 14 March 1875
Summary
Is glad CD is pleased with his book [Cave hunting (1874)].
Relationship between language and race. The Basques.
| Author: | William Boyd Dawkins |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 14 Mar 1875 |
| Classmark: | DAR 162: 130 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9887 |
From John Fiske 15 March 1875
Summary
Thanks CD for Descent
and for his praise of Cosmic philosophy [1874].
| Author: | John Fiske |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 15 Mar 1875 |
| Classmark: | DAR 164: 126 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9888 |
From Lawson Tait 16 March [1875]
Summary
Uses of tails of mice. Functions of tails generally.
| Author: | Robert Lawson (Lawson) Tait |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 16 Mar [1875] |
| Classmark: | DAR 178: 3 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9889 |
From E. J. Johnston 16 March 1875
Summary
Reports an Araujia in Portugal that captures various insects on the horns of its stigma. Relates this to another asclepiad, Apocynum, which also captures insects. Is this "insectivory" or insect fertilisation?
| Author: | Edwin John Johnston |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 16 Mar 1875 |
| Classmark: | DAR 168: 74 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9890 |
| letter | (38) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (14) |
| Tait, Lawson | (4) |
| Heer, Oswald | (2) |
| Johnston, E. J. | (2) |
| Bachmaier, Anton | (1) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (23) |
| Tait, Lawson | (3) |
| Belt, Thomas | (1) |
| Darwin, G. H. | (1) |
| Heer, Oswald | (1) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (37) |
| Tait, Lawson | (7) |
| Heer, Oswald | (3) |
| Hooker, J. D. | (2) |
| Johnston, E. J. | (2) |
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 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 …
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 …
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 …
