To Eduard Strasburger 9 December [1876]
Summary
Thanks for a copy of the second edition of Strasburger’s Über Zellbildung und Zelltheilung (On cell formation and cell division; Strasburger 1876b).
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Eduard Adolf (Eduard) Strasburger |
Date: | 9 Dec [1876] |
Classmark: | Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek Bonn, Handschriftenabteilung (NL Strasburger I) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-10291F |
From Francis Galton 1 December 1876
Summary
Gives another instance of curious habit in the Butler family.
Author: | Francis Galton |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 1 Dec 1876 |
Classmark: | DAR 105: A96 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-10694 |
To Thomas Brittain 1 December 1876
Summary
Thanks TB for calling his attention to the case of the Apocynum; is unable to understand the trap-like arrangement [of the flowers].
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Thomas Brittain |
Date: | 1 Dec 1876 |
Classmark: | Manchester City News, 24 June 1882 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-10695 |
From Albert Gaudry 2 December 1876
Summary
Thanks CD for translation of Climbing plants.
AG is at work on Les enchaînements du monde animal [1878]. Will send CD a copy as soon as it is ready.
Author: | Albert-Jean (Albert) Gaudry |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 2 Dec 1876 |
Classmark: | DAR 165: 19 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-10696 |
To Asa Gray 4 December 1876
Summary
Plans to republish his paper on dimorphism with additions [Forms of flowers]. Is convinced it is necessary to compare pollen-grains and the state of the stigma to recognise dimorphic plants. Requests specific plants to test for dimorphism and would welcome examples from any family in which he has not encountered dimorphic species.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Asa Gray |
Date: | 4 Dec 1876 |
Classmark: | Archives of the Gray Herbarium of Harvard University (115) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-10697 |
From Asa Gray 5 December 1876
Summary
Dimorphism and cleistogamy in Hottonia.
AG wants new, unambiguous term for what is now referred to as "dimorphism", "dioecio-dimorphism", or "heterostyly"; proposes "heterogone".
Sends an excerpt from Bulletin of Torrey Botanical Club 2 (June 1871) on Hottonia inflata.
Author: | Asa Gray |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 5 Dec 1876 |
Classmark: | DAR 165: 192, DAR 111: A92 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-10699 |
To Gerard Krefft 6 December 1876
Summary
Sorry to hear of JLGK’s troubles. Cannot organise a subscription but sends £5.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Johann Louis Gerard (Gerard) Krefft |
Date: | 6 Dec 1876 |
Classmark: | Mitchell Library, Sydney (MLMSS 5828) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-10700 |
From Friedrich Hildebrand 6 December 1876
Summary
Repeated maize crosses without success: i.e., in most cases yellow and red varieties did not produce fertile offspring.
Author: | Friedrich Hermann Gustav (Friedrich) Hildebrand |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 6 Dec 1876 |
Classmark: | DAR 166: 214 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-10701 |
From Hermann Müller 6 December 1876
Summary
Thanks for Cross and self-fertilisation.
Fritz Müller has been appointed "Naturalista Viajante" of the Rio de Janeiro Museum, which will help his income greatly.
Author: | Heinrich Ludwig Hermann (Hermann) Müller |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 6 Dec 1876 |
Classmark: | DAR 171: 308 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-10702 |
From A. W. Bennett 7 December 1876
Summary
Thanks for copy of Cross and self-fertilisation.
Reports instances of cross-fertilisation in maize,
and succession of forms of flowers on Isle of Wight.
Asks CD’s suggestions for his second edition of Julius von Sachs’s Text-book of botany.
Author: | Alfred William Bennett |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 7 Dec 1876 |
Classmark: | DAR 160: 145 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-10703 |
From T. H. Farrer 7 December 1876
Summary
Questions CD on sale of his books in America by Appleton and other publishers; copyright and translation rights.
Author: | Thomas Henry Farrer, 1st Baron Farrer |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 7 Dec 1876 |
Classmark: | DAR 164: 80 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-10704 |
From J. D. Hooker 8 December 1876
Summary
He has examined Hoya flowers with Bentham and Oliver, but they are not satisfied about the five processes alternating with the sepals. [See Forms of flowers, pp. 331–2.] Sends specimens of plants.
Babington’s surprise at JDH’s advocacy of Darwinian views at Norwich [BAAS meeting].
Criticism of the behaviour of the trustees of the British Museum [in the Challenger affair].
Author: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 8 Dec 1876 |
Classmark: | DAR 111: A85, DAR 104: 73 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-10705 |
To George Bentham 8 December 1876
Summary
Asks GB to send him flowers of the two forms of Boronia pinnata, as he is republishing his papers on dimorphic plants [Forms of flowers].
Sends copy of Cross and self-fertilisation.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | George Bentham |
Date: | 8 Dec 1876 |
Classmark: | Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (GEB/1/3: Correspondence, Vol. 3, Daintree–Dyer, (1830–1884) 717) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-10706 |
To G. S. Ffinden 9 December 1876
Summary
Sends £9 for Down Coal and Clothing Club, consisting of £5 for self, £1 for his son George, and £3 for his son Francis.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | George Sketchley Ffinden |
Date: | 9 Dec 1876 |
Classmark: | The 19th Century Shop (dealers) (May 1990) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-10706A |
From Robert Shaw 10 December [1876]
Summary
Adds a point to his previous letter regarding the buoyancy of birds and their soaring capacity.
Author: | Robert James (Robert) Shaw |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 10 Dec [1876] |
Classmark: | DAR 177: 154 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-10707 |
From George Bentham 10 December 1876
Summary
Sends specimens of Boronia.
Discusses the section on diclinous trees and herbs in CD’s new book [Cross and self-fertilisation, pp. 411–13]. CD’s theory that diclinism preceded hermaphroditism seems confirmed.
Author: | George Bentham |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 10 Dec 1876 |
Classmark: | DAR 160: 166 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-10708 |
To Fritz Müller 11 December 1876
Summary
FM’s new position in Rio.
CD interested in nature of surface deposits at Rio.
Sends a copy of Cross and self-fertilisation.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Johann Friedrich Theodor (Fritz) Müller |
Date: | 11 Dec 1876 |
Classmark: | The British Library (Loan MS 10 no 40) (EH 88205870) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-10709 |
To J. D. Hooker 11 December 1876
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
Date: | 11 Dec 1876 |
Classmark: | DAR 95: 427–8 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-10710 |
From F. M. Balfour 11 December 1876
Summary
Asks CD to renew his former offer to propose him for the Royal Society, as Michael Foster, now on the Council, is unable to do so.
Author: | Francis Maitland Balfour |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 11 Dec 1876 |
Classmark: | DAR 160: 26 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-10711 |
From F. M. Balfour [14] December [1876]
Summary
Lists his chief publications and suggests names of biologists in the Royal Society whom CD might ask to sign his nomination certificate.
Author: | Francis Maitland Balfour |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | [14] Dec [1876] |
Classmark: | DAR 160: 25 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-10712 |
letter | (55) |
Darwin, C. R. | (21) |
Balfour, F. M. | (3) |
Hooker, J. D. | (3) |
Bentham, George | (2) |
Farrer, T. H. | (2) |
Darwin, C. R. | (34) |
Bentham, George | (2) |
Gray, Asa | (2) |
Hooker, J. D. | (2) |
Smiles, Samuel | (2) |
Darwin, C. R. | (55) |
Hooker, J. D. | (5) |
Balfour, F. M. | (4) |
Bentham, George | (4) |
Gray, Asa | (4) |

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: 12 hits
- … Seventy years old Darwin’s seventieth birthday on 12 February was a cause for international …
- … and good as could be’ ( letter from Karl Beger, [ c. 12 February 1879] ). The masters of …
- … ). The botanist and schoolteacher Hermann Müller wrote on 12 February to wish Darwin a ‘long and …
- … well, and with little fatigue’ ( letter to G. H. Darwin, 12 July 1879 , and letter from Leonard …
- … ever about life of D r . D’ ( letter to Francis Darwin, 12 July [1879] ). It was little …
- … Thiselton-Dyer, 5 June 1879 , and letter to G. H. Darwin, 12 July 1879 ). Darwin’s final task …
- … inn ‘ very comfortable’, but told Leonard Darwin on 12 August that there were ‘too many human …
- … not to have come up when the Darwins lunched with him on 12 August (Darwin’s ‘Journal’). Nor did …
- … the world. At the end of the year he was awarded a prize of 12,000 francs by the Turin Academy of …
- … which greatly pleased Darwin ( letter from Grant Allen, 12 February 1879 ). One of Allen’s targets …
- … engagement being made public ( letter from T. H. Farrer, 12 October 1879 ). Darwin’s response not …
- … accurate in its treatment’ ( letter from Francis Galton, 12 November 1879 ). The comment that …

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: 11 hits
- … (letters from George Cupples, 21 February 1874 and 12 March 1874 ); the material was …
- … the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii; letters from T. N. Staley, 12 February 1874 and 20 February 1874 …
- … was published in November 1874 ( letter from R. F. Cooke, 12 November 1874 ). Though containing …
- … print runs would be very good ( letter from R. F. Cooke, 12 November 1874 ). Darwin's …
- … Review & in the same type’ ( letter from John Murray, 12 August 1874 ). George’s letter …
- … he finally wrote a polite, very formal letter to Mivart on 12 January 1875 , refusing to hold any …
- … & snugness’ ( letter from Emma Darwin to J. B. Innes, 12 October [1874] ). More …
- … vicar of Deptford ( letter from Emma Darwin to J. B. Innes, 12 October [1874] ), but to her …
- … mechanism that Darwin agreed with ( letter to F. J. Cohn, 12 October 1874 ). Darwin’s American …
- … bank with enormous tips to his ears ( letter from Asa Gray, 12 May 1874 ). The Manchester …
- … excellent, & as clear as light’ ( letter to John Tyndall, 12 August [1874] ). Hooker …

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: 3 hits

Darwin in letters, 1862: A multiplicity of experiments
Summary
1862 was a particularly productive year for Darwin. This was not only the case in his published output (two botanical papers and a book on the pollination mechanisms of orchids), but more particularly in the extent and breadth of the botanical experiments…
Matches: 6 hits
- … Hooker: ‘he is no common man’ ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 12 [December 1862] ). Two sexual …
- … of the year, he wrote to Hooker ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 12 [December 1862] ): ‘my notions on …
- … least 3 classes of dimorphism’ ( letter to Daniel Oliver, 12 [April 1862] ), and experimenting to …
- … passed so miserable a nine months’ ( letter to W. D. Fox, 12 September [1862] ). A family …
- … ‘Botany is a new subject to me’ ( letter to John Scott, 12 November [1862] ), but, impressed by …
- … into Tyndall’s ears’ ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 10–12 November [1862] ). Another of Darwin’s …

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
- … than insectivorous plants. As he confessed to Hooker on 12 December , ‘I have not felt so angry …
- … from his family, he sent a curt note to Mivart on 12 January , breaking off all future …
- … of a bill that was presented to the House of Commons on 12 May, one week after a rival bill based on …
- … The author, Fritz Schultze, contacted Darwin himself on 12 June , describing the aims of his book …
- … scientific Socy. has done in my time,’ he told Hooker on 12 December . ‘I wish that I knew what …

Darwin’s hothouse and lists of hothouse plants
Summary
Darwin became increasingly involved in botanical experiments in the years after the publication of Origin. The building of a small hothouse - a heated greenhouse - early in 1863 greatly increased the range of plants that he could keep for scientific…
Matches: 9 hits
- … Correspondence vol. 10, letter to J. D. Hooker, 12 [December 1862] and n. 13). Initially, …
- … Stove [that is, cool hothouse]’ ( Correspondence vol. 12, letter to J. D. Hooker, 26[–7] March …
- … of different temperatures’ (letter to W. C. Tait, 12 and 16 March [1869] , Calendar no. 6661) …
- … 100 yards’ to the greenhouses ( Correspondence vol. 12, letter to J. D. Hooker, [25 January …
- … in mid-February (see letter from L. C. Treviranus, 12 February 1863 ). The second list is …
- … Anoectochilus argenteus 12 5 s . …
- … punctatum. 11. Mormodes aurantiaca 12. ‘Anoectochilus argenteus 5 s .’ deleted in …
- … Bolbophyllum barbigerum 12 major …
- … Ampelidae. 11. Alloplectus chrysanthus. 12. Bulbophyllum barbigerum. 13. …

Darwin in letters, 1878: Movement and sleep
Summary
In 1878, Darwin devoted most of his attention to the movements of plants. He investigated the growth pattern of roots and shoots, studying the function of specific organs in this process. Working closely with his son Francis, Darwin devised a series of…
Matches: 3 hits

Darwin in letters, 1869: Forward on all fronts
Summary
At the start of 1869, Darwin was hard at work making changes and additions for a fifth edition of Origin. He may have resented the interruption to his work on sexual selection and human evolution, but he spent forty-six days on the task. Much of the…

Darwin’s queries on expression
Summary
When Darwin resumed systematic research on emotions around 1866, he began to collect observations more widely and composed a list of queries on human expression. A number of handwritten copies were sent out in 1867 (see, for example, letter to Fritz Muller…

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…

Darwin in letters, 1856-1857: the 'Big Book'
Summary
In May 1856, Darwin began writing up his 'species sketch’ in earnest. During this period, his working life was completely dominated by the preparation of his 'Big Book', which was to be called Natural selection. Using letters are the main…
Matches: 3 hits

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…
German and Dutch photograph albums
Summary
Darwin Day 2018: To celebrate Darwin's 209th birthday, we present two lavishly produced albums of portrait photographs which Darwin received from continental admirers 141 years ago. These unusual gifts from Germany and the Netherlands are made…
Matches: 1 hits
- … their generous sympathy. ( Letter to A. A. van Bemmelen, 12 February 1877 ) View the …

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…

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: 6 hits
- … he had ‘gained nothing’ ( letter to Charles Lyell, 12–13 March [1863] ). poor miserable …
- … Natural History Review ( see letter to H. W. Bates, 12 January [1863] ). Darwin added Bates’s …
- … Society ( see letter from Edward Sabine to John Phillips, 12 November 1863 ). Characteristically, …
- … also encouraged him to write ( see letter to John Scott, 12 April [1863] ). In this paper, Scott …
- … to capture his attention ( see letter to John Scott, 12 April [1863] ). Additionally, Darwin …
- … Huxley, 25 February 1863 , and letter to Charles Lyell, 12–13 March [1863] ). Emma was a …

Photograph album of German and Austrian scientists
Summary
The album was sent to Darwin to mark his birthday on 12 February 1877 by the civil servant Emil Rade, and contained 165 portraits of German and Austrian scientists. The work was lavishly produced and bound in blue velvet with metal embossing. Its ornate…

Darwin in letters, 1867: A civilised dispute
Summary
Charles Darwin’s major achievement in 1867 was the completion of his large work, The variation of animals and plants under domestication (Variation). The importance of Darwin’s network of correspondents becomes vividly apparent in his work on expression in…
Matches: 5 hits
- … he may wish to give up the task’ ( letter to Carl Vogt, 12 April [1867] ). Darwin need not …
- … remarks on expression”’ ( letter to A. R. Wallace, [12–17] March [1867] ). Darwin’s doggedness in …
- … had drawn a better sphynx’ ( letter to A. R. Wallace, 12 and 13 October [1867] ). Darwin referred …
- … rich from the nonsense talked’ ( letter to A. R. Wallace, 12 and 13 October [1867] ). …
- … truth of his own conclusions’ ( letter to Ernst Haeckel, 12 April [1867] ). All quiet on …

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: 31 hits
- … read There appears to be good art. on Entozore 12 by Owen in Encyclop. of Anat. & …
- … all Vols. Marshall’s Rural Economy of Yorkshire, 12 s [Marshall 1788]—— often quoted by …
- … Palaces. Fourth Edition with Woodcuts. 2 vols. fcap. 8vo., 12 s . 30 [Jesse 1838] …
- … Animals (Deer, Antelopes, &c.) [Jardine 1835–6] 12. Ruminating Animals (Goats, Sheep, …
- … et Culture. 4to. Avec 10 planches. Amsterdam, 1768. 12 s . 41 Bailliére [Saint-Simon] 1768] …
- … of Vertebrate animals 54 folio Plates. Maclise 2”12.6. [Maclise 1847] good for woodcuts. (Roy. …
- … Malthus on Population [Malthus 1826] Oct 12 th W. Earle’s 60 Eastern Seas [Earl 1837]. …
- … vol. 19 Mungo Parks travels [Park 1799] Feb 12 Sir H. Davy consolations in travel [H. …
- … [G. Dixon ed. 1789]. Voyages skimmed. Coral Theory 12 th Dampier [Dampier 1697]. 1 st …
- … references at end of Hallam [Hallam 1837–9]) Feb. 12 th Charlsworths Journal [ Magazine …
- … Hour & Man. H. Martineau [H. Martineau 1841] —— 12 Sir S. Romilly’s Memoirs [Romilly 1840 …
- … Natur-gesichte [Bechstein 1789–95]. d[itt]o March 12 th Gardener’s Magaz. [ Gardener' …
- … and Register of Rural & Domestic Improvement ] 12 Backhouse Narr: of Visit to …
- … Dict. des Sci. Nat. [A. P. de Candolle 1820] marked 12. Watertons Essays in Nat. Hist. 2 nd …
- … Oct. Cosmos [A. von Humboldt 1845–8]. Vol. 1 Nov. 12 Martin on the Horse [W. C. L. Martin …
- … [DAR 119: 17a] 1846 Feb 12 th . Metzger Getreidarten [Metzger 1841] …
- … 16 Bot. Reports. Ray. Soc. [Ray Society 1846] Nov. 12. Mem. of Geolog. Survey [ Memoirs of …
- … . 1 Meyens Geography of Plants [Meyen 1846]. —— 12 th Metzger Kultiverten Kohlarten …
- … VI.— [DAR 119: 17b] 1846 Feb. 12. 1 & 2 vol. of Wilkinson’s Manner …
- … Scotts Life [Lockart 1837–8]— read aloud April 12 th . Carlyles Oliver Cromwell [Carlyle …
- … Despatches Vol I. II. III [Wellesley 1834–9] Dec 12 th The Emigrant by Sir F. B. Head [F. …
- … on population [Malthus 1826] (2 d time) —— 12 Brickell’s Nat. Hist of N. Carolina …
- … Diseases—2 d . Edit. 1815 [Adams 1815]. May 12 th Necker. Mem. les Oiseaux de Geneve [L. …
- … & Forbes, travels in Lycia [Spratt and Forbes 1847] 12 th Putsche & Vertuch …
- … latter vols: but so little not worth getting others. 12 Journal of Philosoph. Soc. of …
- … by H. D. Richardson [H. D. Richardson 1847]. April 12. Arthur Adams. Notes from Journal of …
- … Statesmen of G III [Brougham 1839–43]. (1 series, 2 vols. 12 mo.) poorish May 31. Evelyn’s …
- … life of Constable [Leslie 1843] (interesting) —— 12 Autobiography of a Working Man. A …
- … [ Palaeontographical Society. Monograph Series. ] 12. Sedgwicks Discourse on Study of …
- … Siege of Vienna [Schimmer 1847].— good Sept 12 th . B. Franklins life by Sparks [Sparks ed. …
- … 1847] Du loup et de ses ràces ou varietes 8 o . 12. p. 1 Pl. Poitiers 1851. Chez H. Oudin …

All Darwin's letters from 1873 go online for the anniversary of Origin
Summary
To celebrate the 158th anniversary of the publication of Origin of species on 24 November, the full transcripts and footnotes of over 500 letters from and to Charles Darwin in 1873 are now available online. Read about Darwin's life in 1873 through his…
Matches: 1 hits
- … off, & most of them sold! ( Letter to J. D. Hooker, 12 January [1873] ) …
Vivisection: first sketch of the bill
Summary
Strictly Confidential Mem: This print is only a first sketch. It is being now recast with a new & more simple form – but the substance of the proposed measure may be equally well seen in this draft. R.B.L. | 2 586 Darwin and vivisection …
Matches: 4 hits
- … “ 11. —Renewal of license. “ 12. —Licensed persons experimenting to be not liable under …
- … as he would have incurred under the powers of the Act 12 & 13 Victoria, chapter 92, had he …
- … so offending shall be the same as is provided by the Act 12 & 13 Vic., cap. 92, for the …
- … to be not liable under Cruelty to Animals Act. 12.—No person holding a licence under …