To W. D. Fox [11 May 1831]
Summary
CD’s father has given him £200 to settle his debts.
He is delighted by a magnificent anonymous gift of a microscope.
Sees a good deal of the Henslows who are expecting a child soon.
CD still talks of the "Canary scheme"; he is learning Spanish.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
Date: | [11 May 1831] |
Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 40) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-100 |
To W. D. Fox [9 July 1831]
Summary
Poverty keeps him at Shrewsbury.
The Canary scheme still goes, CD is studying Spanish and geology.
Jenyns has started CD on Diptera.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
Date: | [9 July 1831] |
Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 41) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-101 |
To J. S. Henslow [11 July 1831]
Summary
Has been learning to use a clinometer.
Has investigated passage and fares for Canaries trip.
Rereading Humboldt.
Asks JSH to thank Jenyns for present of Diptera.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Stevens Henslow |
Date: | [11 July 1831] |
Classmark: | Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Henslow letters: 1 DAR/1/1/1) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-102 |
To C. T. Whitley [19 July 1831]
Summary
He is "mad about Geology" and plans to ride through Wales in August with a few days at Barmouth.
Some humorous gossip.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Charles Thomas Whitley |
Date: | [19 July 1831] |
Classmark: | Shrewsbury School, Taylor Library |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-102A |
To W. D. Fox 1 August [1831]
Summary
Will send his insects and two or three from Henslow.
The Canary scheme takes place next June.
Is grieved WDF thinks him capable of telling falsehoods.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
Date: | 1 Aug [1831] |
Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 42) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-103 |
From George Peacock to J. S. Henslow [6 or 13 August 1831]
Summary
GP has been asked to recommend a naturalist to sail with Capt. Robert FitzRoy to Tierra del Fuego and the South Sea Islands. If Leonard Jenyns is not available, whom would JSH recommend?
P.S. Urges JHS not to lose this opportunity to have collections made for "our museum".
Author: | George Peacock |
Addressee: | John Stevens Henslow |
Date: | [6 or 13] Aug 1831 |
Classmark: | DAR 97: B1–3 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-104 |
From J. S. Henslow 24 August 1831
Summary
JSH has been asked by Peacock to recommend a naturalist as companion to Capt. FitzRoy on Beagle voyage. CD the best qualified person; not a finished naturalist but amply qualified for collecting, observing, and noting.
Author: | John Stevens Henslow |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 24 Aug 1831 |
Classmark: | DAR 97(ser.2):4–5 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-105 |
From George Peacock [c. 26 August 1831]
Summary
Details about FitzRoy and proposed voyage of Beagle. CD invited to go on the voyage as naturalist.
Author: | George Peacock |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | [c. 26 Aug 1831] |
Classmark: | DAR 97 (ser.2): 11–13 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-106 |
To J. S. Henslow 30 [August 1831]
Summary
Feels he should decline Beagle voyage offer because of his father’s objections, which he lists. Would otherwise have taken all risks.
[Geological] trip with Adam Sedgwick a success.
Grieved at Marmaduke Ramsay’s death.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Stevens Henslow |
Date: | 30 [Aug 1831] |
Classmark: | Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Henslow letters: 2 DAR/1/1/2) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-107 |
From R. W. Darwin to Josiah Wedgwood II 30–1 August 1831
Summary
CD has had an offer to go on a voyage of discovery for two years. RWD objects strongly, but will let CD make his case and if JW agrees with CD, RWD will change his position. In a postscript RWD adds, "Charles has quite given up … the voyage."
Author: | Robert Waring Darwin |
Addressee: | Josiah Wedgwood, II |
Date: | 30–1 Aug 1831 |
Classmark: | V&A / Wedgwood Collection (MS W/M 96) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-108 |
From Josiah Wedgwood II to R. W. Darwin 31 August 1831
Summary
States his views on each of RWD’s objections to the Beagle venture. JW’s overall position is favourable to CD’s acceptance of the offer.
Author: | Josiah Wedgwood, II |
Addressee: | Robert Waring Darwin |
Date: | 31 Aug 1831 |
Classmark: | DAR 97(ser.2): 6–8 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-109 |
To R. W. Darwin 31 August [1831]
Summary
CD asks his father to consider the offer of the Beagle voyage once more. He encloses his list of RWD’s objections and Josiah Wedgwood’s responses [see 109]. Asks his father to give him a decided answer: if "no" he will never again mention the subject.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Robert Waring Darwin |
Date: | 31 Aug [1831] |
Classmark: | DAR 223: 1; DAR 97: B10 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-110 |
From R. W. Darwin to Josiah Wedgwood II 1 September 1831
Summary
RWD had made up his mind to give up his objection to the Beagle voyage if JW did not take the same view. If Charles continues to want to go after further inquiry, will give him every assistance.
Author: | Robert Waring Darwin |
Addressee: | Josiah Wedgwood, II |
Date: | 1 Sept 1831 |
Classmark: | V&A / Wedgwood Collection (MS W/M 96) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-111 |
To Francis Beaufort 1 September [1831]
Summary
CD accepts going with Capt. FitzRoy. Explains earlier refusal as owing to his father’s disapproval.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Francis Beaufort |
Date: | 1 Sept [1831] |
Classmark: | The National Archives (TNA) (ADM 1/4541 PRO D 262) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-112 |
From Francis Beaufort to Robert FitzRoy 1 September [1831]
Summary
Believes he has found a "savant" for FitzRoy in CD, whom he describes as grandson of Erasmus Darwin and "full of zeal and enterprize".
Author: | Francis Beaufort |
Addressee: | Robert FitzRoy |
Date: | 1 Sept [1831] |
Classmark: | United Kingdom Hydrographic Office Archive (Letter Book no. 3, p. 233) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-113 |
To J. S. Henslow [2 September 1831]
Summary
Has just arrived in Cambridge; his father has changed his mind. Asks to see JSH.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Stevens Henslow |
Date: | [2 Sept 1831] |
Classmark: | Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Henslow letters: 3 DAR/1/1/3) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-114 |
To Susan Darwin [4 September 1831]
Summary
Spent preceding day with Henslow; much to be done. A friend, Alexander Charles Wood, has written to Capt. FitzRoy about CD. Peacock offered appointment as Beagle naturalist first to Leonard Jenyns, who almost accepted, as did Henslow himself. CD will talk to Capt. Francis Beaufort [Hydrographer] and FitzRoy. Thanks all his family.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Susan Elizabeth Darwin |
Date: | [4 Sept 1831] |
Classmark: | DAR 223 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-115 |
From Adam Sedgwick 4 September 1831
Summary
Reports on his geological work in N. Wales since he and CD parted. Answers CD’s queries.
Author: | Adam Sedgwick |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 4 Sept 1831 |
Classmark: | DAR 204: 65 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-116 |
To Susan Darwin [5 September 1831]
Summary
Wood has heard from FitzRoy, who seemed so much against CD’s going that CD and Henslow gave up. CD is in London; has seen FitzRoy, who is now ready to invite him. CD remains undecided. He likes FitzRoy. Gives details of prospective arrangements. They probably will be gone three years; "round the world" is not certain. Want of room is a serious objection.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Susan Elizabeth Darwin |
Date: | [5 Sept 1831] |
Classmark: | DAR 223 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-117 |
To J. S. Henslow [5 September 1831]
Summary
Has met FitzRoy, who has now offered him the post of naturalist on board the Beagle. Other details about the voyage arrangements – mess, CD’s status, route, books.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Stevens Henslow |
Date: | [5 Sept 1831] |
Classmark: | Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Henslow letters: 4 DAR/1/1/4) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-118 |
Darwin, C. R. | (40) |
Mostyn Owen, Fanny | (5) |
Myddelton Biddulph, Fanny | (5) |
Henslow, J. S. | (3) |
Matthew, Henry | (3) |
Darwin, C. R. | (23) |
Henslow, J. S. | (13) |
Fox, W. D. | (10) |
Darwin, S. E. | (6) |
FitzRoy, Robert | (4) |
Darwin, C. R. | (63) |
Henslow, J. S. | (16) |
Fox, W. D. | (10) |
Darwin, S. E. | (7) |
FitzRoy, Robert | (5) |