Bad Request
Your browser sent a request that this server could not understand.
Apache Server at dcp-public.lib.cam.ac.uk Port 443

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: 27 hits
- … of whom took immediate action to mediate a solution. Charles Darwin had close ties with both men and …
- … In the concluding paragraphs of Origin , Darwin had predicted that a ‘revolution in natural …
- … Thomas Henry Huxley, Busk, and several other supporters of Darwin in editing the Natural History …
- … on the topic. Lyell also added the following note on page 11: *Mr. John Lubbock published …
- … 2 have struck out Galton & Prestwich at p. 11 who will be surprisd [ sic ] to …
- … aspects of the book. Throughout the first half of 1863, Darwin discussed the book in correspondence …
- … spoke out publicly about any controversial aspect. Darwin’s chief complaint about the book …
- … he thought about ‘the derivation of Species’. 8 Darwin continued to feel aggrieved about …
- … to the Athenæum . 9 In the same letter, Darwin touched on an area of public …
- … accusation, which had just appeared in the Athenæum . Darwin had not advised Falconer personally, …
- … had done ‘an injustice’ to Falconer and Prestwich. 11 In the same review Lubbock expressed …
- … given that ‘the whole tenor of his argument’ supported Darwin’s theory ([Lubbock] 1863b, p. 213). …
- … he took exception to the wording of the note on p. 11 of C. Lyell 1863c, which implied that Lubbock …
- … The statement made by Sir Charles Lyell, in a note to page 11 of his work, that my article on the …
- … of all three letters to a number of friends, including Darwin. 22 Just before he …
- … of the note in the preface (letter to John Lubbock, 11 June [1865] ). No correspondence with …
- … of the preface of C. Lyell 1863c and reworded the note on p. 11. Unlike the earlier …
- … Lyell revised both the preface and the note on page 11 of the third edition of Antiquity of man …
- … versions of the end of the preface and of the note on page 11 are included below. Preface, C …
- … as well as of the subsequent issues.” Note on page 11, C. Lyell 1863c (original version) …
- … made by him in company with Mr. Busk. Note on page 11, C. Lyell 1863c (revised version) …
- … in Letters, 1863 , (introduction to Correspondence vol. 11, pp. xv–xvii). For a comparison of …
- … Falconer’s attack on Charles Lyell, see Bynum 1984 and L. G. Wilson 1996. 6. Owen’s …
- … 1984, pp. 154–9. 7. See Correspondence vol. 11, letter to J. D. Hooker, 24[–5] …
- … MSS 49640). Another portion of this letter is quoted in L. G. Wilson 1996. 13. For two …
- … vol. 14, doc. 183–4). 15. Letter from T. H. Huxley, 7 March 1865, in BL MSS ADD 49641. …
- … Athenaeum , 4 April 1863, pp. 459-60. Forchhammer, G. et al . 1851–5. Undersgelser i …

Origin: the lost changes for the second German edition
Summary
Darwin sent a list of changes made uniquely to the second German edition of Origin to its translator, Heinrich Georg Bronn. That lost list is recreated here.
Matches: 10 hits
- … In March 1862, Heinrich Georg Bronn wrote to Darwin stating his intention to prepare a second German …
- … corrections and additions was imminent, or whether Darwin would like to make any such changes to the …
- … had appeared, published in April 1861, containing, as Darwin told Bronn, ‘a considerable number of …
- … with the alterations from the second edition. In addition, Darwin referred to ‘a few new M.S. …
- … has not been found, although they were returned to Darwin for possible use in a new American edition …
- … should correspond to the additional alterations sent by Darwin to Bronn. Many of these additions and …
- … we shall immediately see)’. Page xiv, n., line 11, delete ‘in the years 1794–5’. …
- … substitute for ‘but then . . . kinds of flowers.’: 11 In just some of …
- … sentence also appears in Origin 4th ed., p. 20. 11. p. 56. This whole paragraph was …
- … in Origin 4th ed., p. 449. 47. p. 409–11. This passage also appears, with slight …

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: 26 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 …
- … ). The death of a Cambridge friend, Albert Way, caused Darwin’s cousin, William Darwin Fox, to …
- … from W. D. Fox, 8 May [1874] ). Such reminiscences led Darwin to the self-assessment, ‘as for one …
- … backwards much more than forwards’ ( letter to W. D. Fox, 11 May [1874] ). I feel …
- … Andrew Clark, whom he had been consulting since August 1873. Darwin had originally thought that …
- … Williams was ‘a cheat and an imposter’ ( letter from T. H. Huxley, 27 January 1874 ). Darwin …
- … he was thus free to perform his antics’ ( letter to T. H. Huxley, 29 January [1874] ). This did …
- … allowed ‘a spirit séance’ at his home ( letter from T. G. Appleton, 2 April 1874 ). Back …
- … sweetly all the horrid bother of correction’ ( letter to H. E. Litchfield, 21 [March 1874] ). The …
- … I have pounded the enemy into a jelly’ ( letter from T. H. Huxley, 14 April 1874 ). The technical …
- … and never mind where it goes’ ( letter from T. H. Huxley, 16 April 1874 ). The second …
- … conciseness & clearness of your thought’ ( letter from G. H. Darwin, 20 April 1874 ). …
- … the spread of various mental and physical disorders (G. H. Darwin 1873b). In July 1874, an anonymous …
- … over the ‘scurrilous libel’ on his son ( letter to G. H. Darwin, [27 July 1874] ). George, …
- … scurrilous accusation of [a] lying scoundrel’ ( letter to G. H. Darwin, 1 August [1874] ). He …
- … with Murray on the outcome ( enclosure to letter from G. H. Darwin, 6 [August] 1874 ): …
- … direct to the Editor & it had been refused’ ( letter from G. H. Darwin, [6 or 7 August 1874] ) …
- … review me in a hostile spirit’ ( letter to John Murray, 11 August 1874 ). Darwin was …
- … Mivart (see Correspondence vol. 20, letter to St G. J. Mivart, 11 January [1872] ). To Darwin …
- … the moment of being hatched ( letter to Nature , 7 and 11 May [1874] ; Spalding 1872a). …
- … & that must be enough for me’ ( letter to W. D. Fox, 11 May [1874] ). Plants that eat . …
- … cartilage, bone & meat &c. &c.’ ( letter to W. D. Fox, 11 May [1874] ). His research …
- … Correspondence vol. 21, letter from Francis Darwin, [11 October 1873] ). Darwin wasted …
- … the photograph he sent highly ( letter from D. F. Nevill, [11 September 1874] ). At the …

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: 22 hits
- … indicates, 1862 was a particularly productive year for Darwin. This was not only the case in his …
- … promotion of his theory of natural selection also continued: Darwin’s own works expanded on it, …
- … a keen interest in the progress of his views through Europe, Darwin negotiated, in addition to a …
- … the family over the summer. But towards the end of the year, Darwin was able once more to turn his …
- … of the Scottish press hissed). Huxley, while advocating Darwin’s theory, had again espoused the view …
- … experimental production of new ‘physiological’ species. Darwin attempted to dissuade him from this …
- … together. He failed. Huxley replied ( letter from T. H. Huxley, 20 January 1862 ): 039;I …
- … delivered a series of lectures to working men that reviewed Darwin’s theory, and sent copies to …
- … about the vars. of Tobacco.039; At the end of the year, Darwin seemed resigned to their …
- … common man This correspondence with Huxley made Darwin keener than ever to repeat the …
- … began writing long, intelligent, and informative letters, Darwin, impressed, gave him the commission …
- … ). Two sexual forms: Primula and Linum Darwin’s views on the phenomenon of …
- … on Linum ‘at once’ ( letter to John Scott, 11 December [1862] ), writing up his experiments in …
- … with ‘good dashes of original reflexions’ ( letter to H. W. Bates, 13 January [1862] ). He warmly …
- … & admirable papers I ever read in my life’ ( letter to H. W. Bates, 20 November [1862] ). He …
- … of Natural History’ ( letter to Armand de Quatrefages, 11 July [1862] ). She had had assistance …
- … telling him of the need for a second edition ( letter from H. G. Bronn, [before 11 March 1862] ), …
- … see letter from E. Schweizerbart’sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, 11 July 1862 ). Yet Darwin was now …
- … interest. He told Hooker ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 11 September [1862] ): ‘This is a nice, but …
- … by … particularly active young wolves’ ( letter from T. H. Huxley, 9 October 1862 ). Darwin …
- … insects with Darwin’s hypothesis ( see letter from H. W. Bates, 30 April 1862 ), Darwin was …
- … from one parent’ ( letter to Armand de Quatrefages, 11 July [1862] ). really good …

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: 28 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 …
- … am languid & bedeviled … & hate everybody’. Although Darwin did continue his botanical …
- … letter-writing dwindled considerably. The correspondence and Darwin’s scientific work diminished …
- … of the water-cure. The treatment was not effective and Darwin remained ill for the rest of the year. …
- … the correspondence from the year. These letters illustrate Darwin’s preoccupation with the …
- … to man’s place in nature both had a direct bearing on Darwin’s species theory and on the problem …
- … detailed anatomical similarities between humans and apes, Darwin was full of praise. He especially …
- … I never in my life read anything grander’ ( letter to T. H. Huxley, 26 [February 1863] ). In the …
- … in expressing any judgment on Species or origin of man’. Darwin’s concern about the popular …
- … Lyell’s and Huxley’s books. Three years earlier Darwin had predicted that Lyell’s forthcoming …
- … regarding species change ( letter from Charles Lyell, 11 March 1863 ). The botanist Asa Gray, …
- … by descent put him ‘into despair’ ( letter to Asa Gray, 11 May [1863] ). In the same letter, he …
- … bottom of seas, lakes, and rivers ( Correspondence vol. 11, Appendix VII). Quarrels at …
- … on this subject seems to get rarer & rarer’ ( letter to H. W. Bates, 18 April [1863] ), …
- … for the Natural History Review ( see letter to H. W. Bates, 12 January [1863] ). Darwin added …
- … Academy of Sciences, Berlin (see Correspondence vol. 11, Appendix III), and of the Société des …
- … unsuccessful ( see letter from E. A. Darwin to Emma Darwin, 11 November [1863] ). The council of …
- … to J. D. Hooker, [9 May 1863] , and memorandum from G. H. Darwin, [before 11 May 1863]) . …
- … to drive the quietest man mad’ ( letter to Asa Gray, 11 May [1863] ). Hooker and Gray agreed …
- … the end of 1862, and published as a book in early 1863 (T. H. Huxley 1863a). Though Darwin was …
- … sterility of species, when crossed’ ( letter to T. H. Huxley, 10 [January 1863] ). He reminded …
- … tropical plants than before (see Correspondence vol. 11, Appendix VI). He was fascinated with …
- … both self-pollination and cross-pollination ( letter to P. H. Gosse, 2 June [1863] ). The …
- … pistils mature at different times ( see letter to Asa Gray, 11 May [1863] ). The fertility of …
- … ‘Crossing & Sterility’ (see Correspondence vol. 11, Appendix II). When Darwin finished, by …
- … and Lyell’s Antiquity of man ( see letter from T. H. Huxley, 25 February 1863 , and letter …
- … animal suffering caused by them (see Correspondence vol. 11, Appendix IX). Francis Darwin later …

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…
Matches: 25 hits
- … When Darwin resumed systematic research on emotions around 1866, he began to collect …
- … ease of distribution sometime in late 1867 or early 1868. Darwin went over his questions, refining …
- … was the collection of observations on a global scale. Darwin was especially interested in peoples …
- … cultural and conventional, or instinctive and universal. Darwin used his existing correspondence …
- … and with the mouth a little drawn back at the corners?” Darwin’s questionnaire was an extension of …
- … was also carefully devised so as to prevent the feelings of Darwin’s remote observers from colouring …
- … and not the susceptibilities of a moral nature.” Darwin did not typically countenance such …
- … the collection of information to its display in print. After Darwin received all of the replies to …
- … except “yes” or “no.” “The same state of mind” Darwin would later assert in Expression of the …
- … uniformity.” Table of Correspondence about Darwin’s Questionnaire (click on the letter …
- … could available online ahead of schedule as part of the “Darwin and Human Nature” project, funded by …
- … Blair, R.H. 11 July 1871 Worcester College for the …
- … Chaumont, F.S.B.F. de 11 March 1871 Woolston, …
- … Ceylon enclosed in letter from G.H.K. Thwaites …
- … will forward query Huxley, H.A. 22 Mar …
- … Aborigines Lane, H.B. 13 Aug 1868 …
- … head forward Mivart, G.J. 26 Jan 1871 …
- … 9 Nov 1870 11 St Mary Abbot039;s Terrace, London, England …
- … 1 Feb 1871 11 St Mary Abbot039;s Terrace, London, England …
- … 7 Sept 1872 11 St Mary Abbot039;s Terrace, London, England …
- … 1 Feb. 1871 11 Saint Mary Abbot039;s Terrace, Kensington. W., London, …
- … Sulivan, B.J. 11 Jan 1867 Bournemouth, England …
- … aborigines Thwaites, G.H.K. 1 Apr 1868 …
- … Wallace, A. R. 11 March [1867] 9 St. Mark’s Crescent …
- … Kanara), Bombay, India forwarded by H.N.B. Erskine …

Darwin's 1874 letters go online
Summary
The full transcripts and footnotes of over 600 letters to and from Charles Darwin in 1874 are published online for the first time. You can read about Darwin's life in 1874 through his letters and see a full list of the letters. The 1874 letters…
Matches: 11 hits
- … and footnotes of over 600 letters to and from Charles Darwin in 1874 are published online for …
- … the Catholic zoologist St George Jackson Mivart caused Darwin and his son George. In an …
- … licentiousness’. After re-reading what George had written, Darwin wrote: I cannot …
- … of [a] lying scoundrel.— ( Letter to G. H. Darwin, 1 August [1874] ) The …
- … behaviour in scientific society. Find out more about how Darwin and his family and friends dealt …
- … as not signifying so much. ( Letter to W. D. Fox, 11 May [1874] ) At the age of 65, …
- … & that must be enough for me ( Letter to W. D. Fox, 11 May [1874] ) During the …
- … Letter to D. F. Nevill, 18 September [1874] ) Darwin’s family continued to prosper. His …
- … ‘I am sure he will never voluntarily be idle’, wrote Darwin to the directors, fearing that Horace …
- … career, married Amy Ruck and came to live in Down village as Darwin’s secretary. I …
- … Letter to J. D. Hooker, 30 November [1874] ) Darwin’s continuing loyalty to his friends …

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: 29 hits
- … ‘My career’, Darwin wrote towards the end of 1872, ‘is so nearly closed. . . What little …
- … of On the origin of species , intended to be Darwin’s last, and of Expression of the …
- … books brought a strong if deceptive sense of a job now done: Darwin intended, he declared to Alfred …
- … 27 July [1872] ). By the end of the year Darwin was immersed in two of the studies that …
- … of books and papers, and the latter formed the subject of Darwin’s last book, The formation of …
- … worms , published in the year before his death. Despite Darwin’s declared intention to take up new …
- … begun many years before. In his private life also, Darwin was in a nostalgic frame of mind, …
- … The last word on Origin The year opened with Darwin, helped by his eldest son William, …
- … on 30 January , shortly after correcting the proofs, and Darwin’s concern for the consolidation of …
- … and sixth editions were costly to incorporate, and despite Darwin’s best efforts, set the final …
- … closely involved in every stage of publication of his books, Darwin was keen to ensure that this …
- … to bring out the new edition in the United States, Darwin arranged with Murray to have it …
- … had to be reset. The investment in stereotype reinforced Darwin’s intention to make no further …
- … anatomist St George Jackson Mivart ( letter to St G. J. Mivart, 11 January [1872] ). A …
- … objections to the theory of natural selection’, Darwin refuted point by point assertions published …
- … Although Mivart was among those who wrote in January to wish Darwin a happy new year, before the …
- … critical and anonymously published review of Descent . Darwin’s supporters had rallied to his …
- … as I am made to appear’, complained Darwin ( letter to St G. J. Mivart, 5 January 1872 ). Piqued, …
- … `fundamental intellectual errors’ ( letter from St G. J. Mivart, 6 January 1872 ). Darwin …
- … to think he felt friendly towards me’ ( letter to St G. J. Mivart, 8 January [1872] ). Despite …
- … Mivart not to acknowledge it ( letter to St G. J. Mivart, 11 January [1872] ). 039;I hate …
- … the theories of natural and sexual selection to bees (H. Müller 1872), and with his reply Darwin …
- … for myself it is dreadful doing nothing’ ( letter to T. H. Huxley, 22 October [1872] ). He was far …
- … attacks on Darwin became notorious, had written on 11 May expressing concern that his recently, …
- … by her husband, Richard Buckley Litchfield ( letter to H. E. Litchfield, 13 May 1872 ). Delivery …
- … 039;I know that I am half-killed myself’ ( letter to H. E. Litchfield, 25 July 1872 ). A …
- … well informed: `The die is cast’, he wrote excitedly on 11 May , when the matter was first raised …
- … Charlton Bastian’s recent book on the origin of life (H. C. Bastian 1872; Wallace 1872d) left him …
- … pleasant letters & never answer them’ ( letter to T. H. Huxley, 22 October [1872] ). But not …

Darwin in letters, 1876: In the midst of life
Summary
1876 was the year in which the Darwins became grandparents for the first time. And tragically lost their daughter-in-law, Amy, who died just days after her son's birth. All the letters from 1876 are now published in volume 24 of The Correspondence…
Matches: 19 hits
- … The year 1876 started out sedately enough with Darwin working on the first draft of his book on the …
- … games. ‘I have won, hurrah, hurrah, 2795 games’, Darwin boasted; ‘my wife … poor creature, has won …
- … regarding the ailments that were so much a feature of Darwin family life. But the calm was not to …
- … four days later. ‘I cannot bear to think of the future’, Darwin confessed to William on 11 …
- … and his baby son Bernard now part of the household, and Darwin recasting his work on dimorphic and …
- … results in this year’s experiments’ ( letter from G. J. Romanes, [ c . 19 March 1876] ). A less …
- … Encyclopaedia Britannica the previous year ( letter to G. H. Darwin, [after 4 September 1876] ). …
- … naturalist Thomas Edward ( letter from F. M. Balfour, 11 December 1876 ; letter to Samuel Smiles …
- … the ‘awful job’ of informing the author ( letter to G. G. Stokes, 21 April [1876] ). Darwin could …
- … ‘all I can say is do not commit suicide’ ( letter to G. H. Darwin, [4 June 1876] ). By midsummer, …
- … a set of sons I have, all doing wonders.’ ( Letter to G. H. Darwin, 13 July [1876]. ) A …
- … and eczema, was able to rest his mind ( letter to G. H. Darwin, 2 May [1876] ). Darwin even …
- … letter to Andrew Clark, [late June 1876] ; letter to G. H. Darwin, 13 July [1876] ). The irony …
- … who died at the age of 10 in 1851, but William, who was 11 years old at the time of her death, would …
- … you are one of the best of all’ ( letter to W. E. Darwin, 11 September [1876] ). …
- … she confided to Henrietta (letter from Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield, [31 August 1876] (DAR 219.9: …
- … do I cannot conceive’, Darwin wrote anxiously to Hooker on 11 September. By the time Darwin …
- … been the subject of mere observation’ ( letter from T. H. Farrer, 31 December 1876 ). The Swiss …
- … on the method, or remains in utter darkness’ ( letter to H. N. Moseley, 22 November 1876 ). …
Darwin in letters, 1877: Flowers and honours
Summary
Ever since the publication of Expression, Darwin’s research had centred firmly on botany. The year 1877 was no exception. The spring and early summer were spent completing Forms of flowers, his fifth book on a botanical topic. He then turned to the…
Matches: 29 hits
- … Ever since the publication of Expression , Darwin’s research had centred firmly on botany. The …
- … of these projects would culminate in a major publication. Darwin’s botany was increasingly a …
- … assisted his father’s research on movement and bloom, and Darwin in turn encouraged his son’s own …
- … The year 1877 was more than usually full of honours. Darwin received two elaborate photograph albums …
- … from Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. Closer to home, Darwin received an honorary Doctorate of …
- … sites for possible earthworm activity. Now in his 69th year, Darwin remained remarkably productive, …
- … no controversy. In his autobiographical reflections, Darwin remarked: ‘no little discovery of …
- … (‘Recollections’, p. 419). During the winter and spring, Darwin was busy preparing the manuscript of …
- … and presented to the Linnean Society of London. In the book, Darwin adopted the more recent term …
- … as dimorphic without comparing pollen-grains & stigmas’, Darwin remarked to Joseph Dalton …
- … measurements of the size and number of pollen-grains, Darwin compared the fertility of individual …
- … primrose and purple loosestrife. In the course of his work, Darwin found a number of other …
- … dreadful work making out anything about dried flowers’, Darwin complained to Asa Gray on 8 March …
- … which include heterstyled species. This pleases me.’. Darwin dedicated the book to Gray, ‘as a small …
- … separate publications together into a larger whole enabled Darwin to advance more speculative views …
- … both pollen and seeds’ ( Forms of flowers , p. 344). Darwin was typically pessimistic about the …
- … be sold’. His publisher knew from previous experience that Darwin was a poor judge of sales, and …
- … after completing his manuscript of Forms of flowers , Darwin took up the problem of ‘bloom’ in …
- … characteristic whose purpose was little understood. Darwin had begun studying bloom in August 1873, …
- … exchanged between Down and Kew over the next six months. Darwin corresponded most often with the …
- … for extended periods. In a letter to Thiselton-Dyer of 11 October , Darwin described how the …
- … Charles Darwin and Ernst Haeckel). Writing to Darwin on 11 March 1877 , Krause declared the …
- … visits from distinguished persons. Gladstone came to Down on 11 March. ‘I expected a stern, …
- … not been a difficulty to me,’ he replied to Romanes on 11 June , ‘as I have never believed in a …
- … with wicked imprecations’ (Trollope 1867; letter to G. J. Romanes, [1 and 2 December 1877] ). …
- … that they become quite tipsy’ ( letter to W. M. Moorsom, 11 September [1877] ). Moorsom replied …
- … up to the mark hereafter is another question’ ( letter to G. H. Darwin, 30 May [1877] ). In the …
- … by, or could contain, any earth worms’ ( letter from J. G. Joyce, 15 November 1877 ). Even at …
- … between sagging of pavemts & castings’ ( letter to G. H. Darwin, 21 November [1877] ). It is …

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: 19 hits
- … lessen injury to leaves from radiation In 1878, Darwin devoted most of his attention to …
- … in this process. Working closely with his son Francis, Darwin devised a series of experiments to …
- … plant laboratories in Europe. While Francis was away, Darwin delighted in his role as …
- … from botanical research was provided by potatoes, as Darwin took up the cause of an Irish …
- … would rid Ireland of famine. Several correspondents pressed Darwin for his views on religion, …
- … closed with remarkable news of a large legacy bequeathed to Darwin by a stranger as a reward for his …
- … birthday ( letter to Ernst Haeckel, 12 February [1878] ), Darwin reflected that it was ‘more …
- … Expression ), and the final revision of Origin (1872), Darwin had turned almost exclusively to …
- … Movement in plants In the spring of 1878, Darwin started to focus on the first shoots and …
- … were enrolled as researchers, as were family members. Darwin asked his niece Sophy to observe …
- … ( letter to Sophy Wedgwood, 24 March [1878–80] ). While Darwin was studying the function of …
- … on one side, then another, to produce movement in the stalk. Darwin compared adult and young leaves …
- … after growth has ceased or nearly ceased.’ Finally, Darwin turned to plant motion below the …
- … precision the lines of least resistance in the ground.’ Darwin would devote a whole chapter to the …
- … that he missed sensitiveness of apex’ ( letter to Francis Darwin, [11 May 1878] ). Having …
- … instrument to various plants. To confirm the results, Darwin borrowed a siren from Tyndall, who had …
- … to expertise. ‘It is funny’, he wrote to Huxley on 11 August , ‘the Academy having elected a man …
- … whatever he earnestly desires’ ( letter to James Grant, 11 March 1878 ). The question of …
- … of adding a new member to society’ ( letter from G. A. Gaskell, 13 November 1878 ). Darwin hoped …
Women as a scientific audience
Summary
Target audience? | Female readership | Reading Variation Darwin's letters, in particular those exchanged with his editors and publisher, reveal a lot about his intended audience. Regardless of whether or not women were deliberately targeted as a…
Matches: 8 hits
- … Female readership | Reading Variation Darwin's letters, in particular those …
- … a broad variety of women had access to, and engaged with, Darwin's published works. A set of …
- … women a target audience? Letter 2447 - Darwin to Murray, J., [5 April 1859] …
- … that his views are original and will appeal to the public. Darwin asks Murray to forward the …
- … and criticisms of style. Letter 2461 - Darwin to Hooker, J. D., [11 May 1859] …
- … typically-male readers. Letter 7124 - Darwin to Darwin, H. E., [8 February 1870] …
- … work. Letter 5861 - Blyth, E. to Darwin, [11 February 1868] Zoologist …
- … Letter 9633 - Nevill, D. F. to Darwin, [11 September 1874] Dorothy Nevill tells …

Henrietta Darwin's diary
Summary
Darwin's daughter Henrietta kept a diary for a few momentous weeks in 1871. This was the year in which Descent of Man, the most controversial of her father's books after Origin itself, appeared, a book which she had helped him write. The small…
Matches: 11 hits
- … Charles Darwin’s daughter Henrietta wrote the following journal entries in March and …
- … 1871 in a small lockable, leather-bound notebook now in the Darwin Archive of Cambridge University …
- … excised within it, presumably by Henrietta herself. Darwin’s letters in 1870 and 1871 ( …
- … scepticism; many of her arguments are reminiscent of Darwin’s own discussion of religious belief in …
- … of the theory of natural selection. Snow occasionally sent Darwin information relating to his …
- … one of Descent (see letter from Charles and Emma Darwin to F. J. Wedgwood, [March 1871?], and …
- … period of their courtship. We are grateful to William Darwin for permission to publish the …
- … Had a long talk w Sno on education first in which Sno quoted G. Eliot apropos of fanaticism—that the …
- … be a good wife I have indeed neglected my 10 talents. 11 July 5th. A beautiful day …
- … gone—& then came my telegram & I feared so to find from G. Lushingtons. 12 I think he …
- … . 10 Bradshaw’s railway guide . 11 For the biblical parable of the talents …
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: 20 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 …
- … Women: Letter 1194 - Darwin to Whitby, M. A. T., [12 August 1849] Darwin …
- … peculiarities in inheritance. Letter 3787 - Darwin, H. E. to Darwin, [29 October …
- … garden. Letter 4523 - Wedgwood, L. C. to Darwin, [6 June