To W. T. Thiselton-Dyer 12 November [1881]
Summary
Progress of his and Frank Darwin’s work; "all natural science seems now to depend on section-cutting".
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Turner Thiselton-Dyer |
| Date: | 12 Nov [1881] |
| Classmark: | Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Thiselton-Dyer, W. T., Letters from Charles Darwin 1873–81: ff. 228–9) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-13480 |
To Fritz Müller 13 November 1881
Summary
Is experimenting with effect of ammonium carbonate on chlorophyll and roots, but finds the results confusing.
Julius von Wiesner has published a book reinterpreting CD’s observations in Movement in plants [see 13422].
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Johann Friedrich Theodor (Fritz) Müller |
| Date: | 13 Nov 1881 |
| Classmark: | The British Library (Loan MS 10 no 56) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-13481 |
From J. C. Clutterbuck 13 November 1881
Summary
Describes earthworms moving to the surface to escape moles.
| Author: | James Charles Clutterbuck |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 13 Nov 1881 |
| Classmark: | DAR 161: 181 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-13482 |
From J. P. Taylor 14 November 1881
Summary
Thinks CD overestimates earthworms’ role in creating mould. Gives some observations on worms and questions about their breeding habits.
| Author: | John Pitt Taylor |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 14 Nov 1881 |
| Classmark: | DAR 178: 55 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-13483 |
From Archibald Geikie 14 November 1881
Summary
Thanks CD for offer of assistance in exploration of Eskdale beds. Describes finds of scorpions and unusual amphibians.
| Author: | Archibald Geikie |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 14 Nov 1881 |
| Classmark: | DAR 165: 27 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-13484 |
To Francis Darwin 14 November [1881]
Summary
Forwards a letter from W. F. P. Pfeffer, who opposes some of Julius Wiesner’s notions on plant movements.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Francis Darwin |
| Date: | 14 Nov [1881] |
| Classmark: | DAR 211: 90 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-13485 |
From Francis Darwin [after 14 November 1881]
Summary
Thanks for two letters from Pfeffer. Will return translation of Pfeffer and send a letter from Elfring. Looking forward to working on "antiWiesner" experiments. Will return on 26th or 27th.
| Author: | Francis Darwin |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [after 14 Nov 1881] |
| Classmark: | DAR 274.1: 68 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-13485F |
From R. S. Bartleet 15 November 1881
Summary
Has read Earthworms.
Wonders if CD has studied gnats; inquires about their apparently useless hovering over one spot for hours.
| Author: | Robert Smith Bartleet |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 15 Nov 1881 |
| Classmark: | DAR 160: 52 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-13486 |
To S. H. Vines 15 November 1881
Summary
More observations of the radicles of germinating seeds of Euphorbia peplus for appearance of milk-tubes.
Comments on J. v. Wiesner’s and W. F. P. Pfeffer’s views and criticism of his experiments.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Sydney Howard Vines |
| Date: | 15 Nov 1881 |
| Classmark: | DAR 185: 77 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-13486A |
To W. T. Thiselton-Dyer 16 November 1881
Summary
Would be grateful for some Euphorbia species for examination of the roots. "The subject is by no means worth all the labour I am bestowing on it, but I cannot bear to be beaten."
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Turner Thiselton-Dyer |
| Date: | 16 Nov 1881 |
| Classmark: | Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Darwin: Letters to Thiselton-Dyer, 1873–81: ff. 231–2) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-13487 |
To J. P. Taylor 16 November 1881
Summary
Elaborates on the theories propounded in his recently published work [Earthworms], describing the reproductive system of worms and the absorption of organic matter in the soil. [See 13483.]
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Pitt Taylor |
| Date: | 16 Nov 1881 |
| Classmark: | Christie’s (dealers) (28 March 1984) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-13487A |
From G. H. Darwin 17 November 1881
Summary
Sends an agreement for his signature and forwarding to Patterson & Bloxham.
Hears that James Challis [Plumian Professor of Astronomy, Cambridge] is on the point of death. Believes he has a good chance to succeed him; sends a list of the electors.
| Author: | George Howard Darwin |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 17 Nov 1881 |
| Classmark: | DAR 210.2: 98 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-13488 |
To G. H. Darwin 19 November [1881]
Summary
Tremendously interested by GHD’s news [about the Plumian Professorship at Cambridge]. Suggests he get William Thomson to write to the electors.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | George Howard Darwin |
| Date: | 19 Nov [1881] |
| Classmark: | DAR 210.1.: 111 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-13489 |
To T. L. Brunton 19 November 1881
Summary
Wishes to contribute to subscription to pay legal expenses of David Ferrier [in vivisection prosecution].
Comments on physiological papers.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Thomas Lauder Brunton, 1st baronet |
| Date: | 19 Nov 1881 |
| Classmark: | DAR 143: 171 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-13490 |
From Adolphe Damseaux 19 November 1881
Summary
AD asks CD’s advice on possible causes of a decline in the Belgian hop crop.
| Author: | Adolphe Damseaux |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 19 Nov 1881 |
| Classmark: | DAR 162: 37 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-13491 |
To J. D. Hooker 4 November [1881]
Summary
Cannot read signature on letter sent via JDH from Lima.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
| Date: | 4 Nov [1881] |
| Classmark: | DAR 95: 544 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-13492 |
To K. M. Lyell 20 November 1881
Summary
Thanks for Life, letters and journals of Sir Charles Lyell, Bart. (K. M. Lyell ed. 1881), but he has already ordered a copy. Can he send the ordered copy to her to give to another, or can he send it on her behalf?
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Katharine Murray Horner; Katharine Murray Lyell |
| Date: | 20 Nov 1881 |
| Classmark: | Kinnordy MS (private collection) (Sold at Sotheby’s (dealers), 9–10 July 2018, lot 375) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-13492F |
To W. T. Thiselton-Dyer 20 November [1881]
Summary
Magnificent supply of Euphorbiae arrived safely.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Turner Thiselton-Dyer |
| Date: | 20 Nov [1881] |
| Classmark: | Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Darwin: Letters to Thiselton-Dyer, 1873–81: f. 230) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-13493 |
From G. H. Darwin [20 November 1881]
Summary
Writes of Challis’ health
and of other matters of family interest.
| Author: | George Howard Darwin |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [20 Nov 1881] |
| Classmark: | DAR 210.2: 99 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-13494 |
From W. P. Snow 21 November 1881
Summary
Is planning a revised edition of his Cruise in Tierra del Fuego [1857], and finds his opinions on the natives the reverse of CD’s.
Hopes he may call some time.
| Author: | William Parker Snow |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 21 Nov 1881 |
| Classmark: | DAR 177: 214 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-13495 |
| letter | (96) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (49) |
| Darwin, G. H. | (3) |
| Brunton, T. L. | (2) |
| Clutterbuck, J. C. | (2) |
| Darwin, Francis | (2) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (46) |
| Vines, S. H. | (5) |
| Darwin, Francis | (3) |
| Thiselton-Dyer, W. T. | (3) |
| Brunton, T. L. | (2) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (95) |
| Vines, S. H. | (7) |
| Darwin, Francis | (5) |
| Darwin, G. H. | (5) |
| Brunton, T. L. | (4) |
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: 16 hits
- … 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 …
- … had done ‘an injustice’ to Falconer and Prestwich. 11 In the same review Lubbock expressed …
- … 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 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 …
- … 1984, pp. 154–9. 7. See Correspondence vol. 11, letter to J. D. Hooker, 24[–5] …
- … Bartholomew 1973. 8. See Correspondence vol. 11, letter to Charles Lyell, 6 March …
- … 18 April [1863 ]. 10. Correspondence vol. 11, letter to J. D. Hooker, 17 March …
- … (rough draft of letter from T. H. Huxley to Charles Lyell, 11 June 1865, Imperial College, Huxley …
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: 7 hits
- … German edition (see letter from H. G. Bronn, [before 11 March 1862] ). Since the publication of …
- … & a few of importance’ (see letter to H. G. Bronn, 11 March [1862] ). Darwin had sent Bronn …
- … letter from E. Schweizerbart’sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, 11 July 1862 ). (No American edition …
- … 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 …
1.1 Ellen Sharples pastel
Summary
< Back to Introduction The earliest surviving portrayal of Darwin, who was born on 12 February 1809, is this pastel or chalk drawing by Ellen Wallace Sharples. He is shown kneeling chivalrously before his sister Catherine (born in 1810), in the kind…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Art Journal , 16:1 (Spring–Summer 1995), pp. 3–11. Julius Bryant (ed.), English Heritage …
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: 8 hits
- … backwards much more than forwards’ ( letter to W. D. Fox, 11 May [1874] ). I feel …
- … review me in a hostile spirit’ ( letter to John Murray, 11 August 1874 ). Darwin was …
- … Correspondence vol. 20, letter to St G. J. Mivart, 11 January [1872] ). To Darwin’s relief, …
- … 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: 7 hits
- … gave him the commission ( see letter to John Scott, 11 December [1862] ). Darwin was altogether …
- … on Linum ‘at once’ ( letter to John Scott, 11 December [1862] ), writing up his experiments in …
- … of Natural History’ ( letter to Armand de Quatrefages, 11 July [1862] ). She had had assistance …
- … for a second edition ( letter from H. G. Bronn, [before 11 March 1862] ), Darwin asked him to use …
- … 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 …
- … from one parent’ ( letter to Armand de Quatrefages, 11 July [1862] ). really good …
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: 8 hits
- … Blair, R.H. 11 July 1871 Worcester College for the …
- … Chaumont, F.S.B.F. de 11 March 1871 Woolston, …
- … 9 Nov 1870 11 St Mary Abbot's Terrace, London, England …
- … 1 Feb 1871 11 St Mary Abbot's Terrace, London, England …
- … 7 Sept 1872 11 St Mary Abbot's Terrace, London, England …
- … 1 Feb. 1871 11 Saint Mary Abbot's Terrace, Kensington. W., London, …
- … Sulivan, B.J. 11 Jan 1867 Bournemouth, England …
- … Wallace, A. R. 11 March [1867] 9 St. Mark’s Crescent …
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: 11 hits
- … 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 …
- … 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 …
- … [9 May 1863] , and memorandum from G. H. Darwin, [before 11 May 1863]) . As he struggled …
- … to drive the quietest man mad’ ( letter to Asa Gray, 11 May [1863] ). Hooker and Gray agreed …
- … tropical plants than before (see Correspondence vol. 11, Appendix VI). He was fascinated with …
- … 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 …
- … animal suffering caused by them (see Correspondence vol. 11, Appendix IX). Francis Darwin later …
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…
Race, Civilization, and Progress
Summary
Darwin's first reflections on human progress were prompted by his experiences in the slave-owning colony of Brazil, and by his encounters with the Yahgan peoples of Tierra del Fuego. Harsh conditions, privation, poor climate, bondage and servitude,…
Matches: 4 hits
- … man in his most "primitive wildness" ( letter to Henslow, 11 April 1833 ). They …
- … Letter 204 : Darwin to Henslow, J. S., 11 April 1833 "The Fuegians are in a more …
- … 98). Letter 2503 : Darwin, C. R. to Lyell, C., 11 October [1859] "the …
- … Letter 2503 : Darwin, C. R. to Lyell, C., 11 October [1859] I suppose that you do not …
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: 4 hits
- … St George Jackson Mivart ( letter to St G. J. Mivart, 11 January [1872] ). A worsening …
- … Mivart not to acknowledge it ( letter to St G. J. Mivart, 11 January [1872] ). 'I hate …
- … attacks on Darwin became notorious, had written on 11 May expressing concern that his recently, …
- … well informed: `The die is cast’, he wrote excitedly on 11 May , when the matter was first raised …
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: 6 hits
- … the popularity of his book, writing to Robert Cooke on 11 April , ‘though I believe it is of …
- … 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 …
- … that they become quite tipsy’ ( letter to W. M. Moorsom, 11 September [1877] ). Moorsom replied …
Charles Harrison Blackley
Summary
You may not have heard of Charles Harrison Blackley (1820–1900), but if you are one of the 15 million people in the UK who suffer from hay fever, you are indebted to him. For it was he who identified pollen as the cause of the allergy. Darwin was…
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: 5 hits
- … to think of the future’, Darwin confessed to William on 11 September just hours after Amy’s …
- … naturalist Thomas Edward ( letter from F. M. Balfour, 11 December 1876 ; letter to Samuel Smiles …
- … 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] ). …
- … do I cannot conceive’, Darwin wrote anxiously to Hooker on 11 September. By the time Darwin …
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: 10 hits
- … in that little sheet of note-paper! DARWIN: 11 My dear Hooker… What a remarkably …
- … 1 OCTOBER 1846 7 C DARWIN TO JD HOOKER 11 JANUARY 1844 8 C DARWIN TO A …
- … 10 C DARWIN TO A GRAY, 24 AUGUST 1855 11 C DARWIN TO JD HOOKER, 5 JUNE 1855 …
- … 22 NOVEMBER 1856 29 C DARWIN TO A GRAY, 11 APRIL 1861 30 A GRAY TO C …
- … A GRAY, 23 SEPTEMBER 1858 58 A GRAY TO JD HOOKER, 11 OCTOBER 1858 59 A GRAY TO …
- … HOOKER, 18 OCTOBER 1859 63 C DARWIN TO A GRAY, 11 NOVEMBER 1859 64 JD …
- … 13 NOVEMBER 1859 66 C DARWIN TO R OWEN, 11 NOVEMBER 1859 67 C DARWIN …
- … 17 FEBRUARY 1861 111 C DARWIN TO A GRAY, 11 DECEMBER 1861 112 C DARWIN …
- … DARWIN TO A GRAY 28 MAY 1864 159 FROM A GRAY 11 JULY 1864 160 C DARWIN …
- … TO A GRAY 28 JANUARY 1876 204 FROM A GRAY 11 DECEMBER 1874 205 TO A …
Darwin in letters, 1864: Failing health
Summary
On receiving a photograph from Charles Darwin, the American botanist Asa Gray wrote on 11 July 1864: ‘the venerable beard gives the look of your having suffered, and … of having grown older’. Because of poor health, Because of poor health, Darwin…
Matches: 4 hits
- … Charles Darwin, the American botanist Asa Gray wrote on 11 July 1864 : ‘the venerable beard gives …
- … continue his observations indoors ( Correspondence vol. 11). In a letter of [27 January 1864] …
- … two letters to the Athenæum ( Correspondence vol. 11). Darwin’s anxiety about the matter was …
- … and the question of human origins ( Correspondence vol. 11). Wallace, however, traced a possible …
Thomas Rivers
Summary
Rivers and Darwin exchanged around 30 letters, most in 1863 when Darwin was hard at work on the manuscript of Variation of plants and animals under domestication, the lengthy and detailed sequel to Origin of species. Rivers, an experienced plant breeder…
Darwin and Religion
Summary
When Darwin published On the Origin of Species, was there a clear cut division between those who supported science and those who supported God? Find out how Darwin’s letters reveal a complex reaction from all sides and a desire from Darwin to keep his…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Pupils explore the reaction to Darwin’s findings as evidenced through his letters. Activities …
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…
Darwin's bad days
Summary
Despite being a prolific worker who had many successes with his scientific theorising and experimenting, even Darwin had some bad days. These times when nothing appeared to be going right are well illustrated by the following quotations from his letters:
Matches: 1 hits
- … Despite being a prolific worker who had many successes with his scientific theorising and …
Darwin on race and gender
Summary
Darwin’s views on race and gender are intertwined, and mingled also with those of class. In Descent of man, he tried to explain the origin of human races, and many of the differences between the sexes, with a single theory: sexual selection. Sexual…
