From E. A. Darwin [1 February 1825]
Summary
Tells CD a bill is all right. Hopes his father will pay it and a wine merchant’s bill as well.
Author: | Erasmus Alvey Darwin |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | [1 Feb 1825] |
Classmark: | DAR 204: 10 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-12 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … DCP-LETT-12 …
From E. A. Darwin 12 November [1860–8]
Author: | Erasmus Alvey Darwin |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 12 Nov [1860-8] |
Classmark: | DAR 105: B11 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-4340 |
Matches: 11 hits
- … From E. A. Darwin 12 November [1860–8] …
- … DAR 105: B11 Erasmus Alvey Darwin London, Queen Anne St, 6 12 Nov …
- … 1860 12 Nov …
- … 1861 12 Nov …
- … 1862 12 Nov …
- … 1863 12 Nov …
- … 1864 12 Nov …
- … 1865 12 Nov …
- … 1866 12 Nov …
- … 1867 12 Nov 1868 Charles Robert Darwin …
- … 6. Queen Anne St 12 Nov Dear Charles. I send you the Tithes. Langton tells me he has …
From J. D. Hooker 1 January 1865
Summary
Forwards H. T. Stainton letter for reply.
Finds many Cucurbita have tendrils with sticking ends.
The "potentiality of so many organs in plants to play so many parts is one of the most wonderful of your discoveries . . . one day it will itself play a prodigious part in the interpretation of both morphological and physiological facts".
Is disgusted with Sabine’s address [see 4708] because of its mutilation of what JDH wrote.
THH’s slashing leader in Reader ["Science and ""Church policy"" ", 4 (1864): 821] – as usual he destroys all in his path.
Encloses letter from G. H. K. Thwaites with a message for CD [see encl].
Author: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 1 Jan 1865 |
Classmark: | DAR 102: 1–3; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Directors’ Correspondence 162: 224 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-4734 |
Matches: 25 hits
- … p. 437. See also Correspondence vol. 12, letter from J. D. Hooker, [19 September …
- … see Guy 1983 and Correspondence vol. 12, letter from E. A. Darwin, 1 February [1864] …
- … nn. 3 and 5; see also Correspondence vol. 12, letter from J. D. Hooker, 16 February …
- … 4 November 1864] ( Correspondence vol. 12; see also letter to J. D. Hooker, [ c. 23 …
- … not undertaken (see Correspondence vol. 12, letters from J. D. Hooker, 16 September …
- … plants’ , p. 78. See Correspondence vol. 12, letter to J. D. Hooker, 10 December [ …
- … conditions (see Correspondence vol. 12, letter to Asa Gray, 28 May [1864] , letter from …
- … Journal for 1864 ( Correspondence vol. 12, Appendix II) that he had finished the paper on …
- … Reader , pp. 708–9 (see Correspondence vol. 12, letter from J. D. Hooker, [6 December …
- … is reproduced in Correspondence vol. 12, Appendix IV. Sabine had contracted influenza …
- … the Royal Society (see Correspondence vol. 12, letter from Elizabeth Juliana Sabine, 7 …
- … 83, 1: 816–41). See Correspondence vol. 12, letter from J. D. Hooker, [6 December …
- … to the book (see Correspondence vol. 12, letter from J. D. Hooker, [26 or 27 April …
- … Hooker of 10 December [1864] ( Correspondence vol. 12), CD reported having seen a foreign …
- … of 10 December [1864] ( Correspondence vol. 12) that he expected to hear of a paper on …
- … in June 1864 (see Correspondence vol. 12, letter from Friedrich Hildebrand, 21 June …
- … December [1864] ( Correspondence vol. 12), CD had asked Daniel Oliver to check Botanische …
- … 10 December [1864] ( Correspondence vol. 12). Hooker and CD had a long-running interest …
- … see, for example, Correspondence vol. 12, letter to J. D. Hooker, 26[–7] March [ …
- … House MS); see also Correspondence vol. 12, letter to John Lubbock, 19 November [1864] ). …
- … plant Nepenthes (see Correspondence vol. 12, letter from J. D. Hooker, 9 [March] 1864 , …
- … of James Veitch (see Correspondence vol. 12, letters to J. D. Hooker, 10 June [1864] …
- … notes on the genus are in DAR 157.1: 111–12 and DAR 187: 1. At some point, CD appears to …
- … Melastomataceae). See Correspondence vol. 12, letter from J. D. Hooker, [26–7 April …
- … in September 1864 (see Correspondence vol. 12, letter from J. D. Hooker, 16 September …
From G. H. Lewes 12 November 1868
Summary
Disappointed that he missed CD. Hopes still to see him in the flesh.
Has CD seen August Weismann’s inaugural address [see 6297]?
Author: | George Henry Lewes |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 12 Nov 1868 |
Classmark: | DAR 106: D11–12 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6458 |
Matches: 5 hits
- … From G. H. Lewes 12 November 1868 …
- … DAR 106: D11–12 George Henry Lewes …
- … London, Regents Park 12 Nov 1868 Charles Robert Darwin …
- … The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park. 12 Nov r 1868 My dear M r Darwin It was a …
- … the last German war’, that appeared in the 12 October 1791 issue of the Bee, or Literary …
From Hermann Müller 12 February 1879
Summary
Seventieth birthday greetings.
Author: | Heinrich Ludwig Hermann (Hermann) Müller |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 12 Feb 1879 |
Classmark: | DAR 171: 312 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-11878 |
Matches: 4 hits
- … From Hermann Müller 12 February 1879 …
- … 312 Heinrich Ludwig Hermann (Hermann) Müller Lippstadt 12 Feb 1879 Charles Robert Darwin …
- … CD’s 70th birthday was on 12 February 1879. There is no article by Müller in any Linnean …
- … Lippstadt Febr 12, 1879 My dear Sir I cannot pass this day in which you accomplish the 70 …
From George Varenne Reed 12 January 1863
Summary
Sorry CD considers Horace Darwin unfit for school.
Author: | George Varenne Reed |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 12 Jan 1863 |
Classmark: | DAR 176: 78 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3912 |
Matches: 6 hits
- … From George Varenne Reed 12 January 1863 …
- … DAR 176: 78 George Varenne Reed Hayes Rectory 12 Jan 1863 Charles Robert Darwin …
- … Hayes Rectory | SE Jan 12. 1863 My dear M r Darwin I am much obliged to you for your …
- … best wishes | I remain | yours very sincerely | G V Reed G V R | Jan 12. /63 | £13〃2〃6 …
- … Easter 1864. The next payment to Reed was made on 16 August 1864 when he was paid £ 12 …
- … 12 s. for the period 19 April to 19 July 1864. …
From Karl Beger [c. 12 February 1879]
Author: | Friedrich Theodor Karl (Karl) Beger |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | [c. 12 Feb 1879] |
Classmark: | DAR 160: 121 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-11854 |
Matches: 5 hits
- … From Karl Beger [ c. 12 February 1879] …
- … 121 Friedrich Theodor Karl (Karl) Beger Hamburg [c. 12 Feb 1879] Charles Robert Darwin …
- … this letter and the letter from Karl Beger, [12 February 1877] ( Correspondence vol. 25). …
- … Beger after CD (see Correspondence vol. 25, letter from Karl Beger, [12 February 1877] ). …
- … CD’s 70th birthday was on 12 February 1879. The photograph has not been found. …
From the Naples Zoological Station 12 February 1879
Summary
Seventieth birthday greetings.
Author: | Naples Zoological Station |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 12 Feb 1879 |
Classmark: | DAR 172: 2 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-11874 |
From Benjamin Dann Walsh 1 March 1865
Summary
Sends his paper on "Willow-galls" [Proc. Entomol. Soc. Philadelphia 3 (1864): 543–644].
Lengthy criticism of Agassiz’s views on species as stated in his Essay on classification [1857].
Interested by CD’s trimorphism in Lythrum. Thinks some great mystery may lie in the fact that in some genera, some species are tri-, some di-, and some monomorphic, and in other genera, Apis, Vespa, Bombus, all the known species are dimorphic.
Author: | Benjamin Dann Walsh |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 1 Mar 1865 |
Classmark: | Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-4778 |
Matches: 22 hits
- … See Correspondence vol. 12, letters to B. D. Walsh, 4 December [1864] and [4 December …
- … John Obadiah Westwood (see Correspondence vol. 12, letter from B. D. Walsh, 7 November …
- … as the frontispiece to Correspondence vol. 12; see also letter from W. E. Darwin, [19 …
- … Edited by James A. H. Murray, et al. 12 vols. and supplement. Oxford: Clarendon Press. …
- … Cantab. ; see also Correspondence vol. 12, letter from B. D. Walsh, 29 April – 19 May …
- … and nn. 1 and 3). See Correspondence vol. 12, letter from J. O. Westwood, 2 December …
- … 30 November 1864 (see Correspondence vol. 12 and Appendix IV). The award was announced in …
- … ici dans cet ordre d’insectes. 11 vols. in 12. Paris: Librairie encyclopédique de Roret. …
- … 4 December 1864? ] ( Correspondence vol. 12). Thomas Say . Thaddeus William Harris was …
- … for this paper (see Correspondence vol. 12, Appendix III). See ‘Three forms of Lythrum …
- … occasionally cross together. See also n. 12, below. Hugo von Mohl had argued ( Mohl …
- … 2: A44a–b); see also Correspondence vol. 12, letter to Asa Gray, 28 May [1864] . There is …
- … and Oxalis , see Correspondence vols. 10–12. In ‘Three forms of Lythrum salicaria ’ , …
- … pp. 333–5. See also Correspondence vol. 12, letter to J. D. Hooker, 13 April [1864] , …
- … generations’ ( OED ). See Correspondence vol. 12, letter to B. D. Walsh, 4 December [ …
- … Review , pp. 138–41 (see Correspondence vol. 12, letter from B. D. Walsh, 29 April [– …
- … of Walsh 1864c (see Correspondence vol. 12, letter from B. D. Walsh, 7 November 1864 ); …
- … and 19, above, and Correspondence vol. 12, letter from B. D. Walsh, 4 December [1864] …
- … p. 341). See also Correspondence vol. 12, letter from B. D. Walsh, 7 November 1864 . …
- … 4 December [1864] ( Correspondence vol. 12). CD wrote an unsigned review of Bates’s paper …
- … Bombus copulation in Correspondence vol. 12, letter to B. D. Walsh, 4 December [1864] . …
- … Wollaston, 2 March [1855] and nn. 11 and 12, and Wollaston 1856 , pp. 81–7, 186–94). CD’ …
From the masters of Greiz College 12 February 1879
Author: | Greiz College |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 12 Feb 1879 |
Classmark: | DAR 99: 94r |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-11879 |
Matches: 4 hits
- … From the masters of Greiz College 12 February 1879 …
- … DAR 99: 94r Greiz College Greiz 12 Feb 1879 Charles Robert Darwin …
- … E. Dillner ] | O. [ Hertzsch ] Greiz, Thuringia | Germany. | February 12 th 1879. …
- … CD was 70 on 12 February 1879. Friedrich Ludwig had written to CD with observations on the …
From Jacob Heinrich Schmick 12 November 1870
Summary
Sends CD two books outlining a new geological theory. Believes his theory explains the discontinuities in the fossil record.
Author: | Jacob Heinrich Schmick |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 12 Nov 1870 |
Classmark: | DAR 177: 55 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-7368 |
From Fritz Müller 31 August 1865
Summary
Hopes CD has received his letter of 12 August.
Sends some new observations on climbing plants. [The observations are part of "Notes on some of the climbing-plants, near Desterro, in South Brazil", J. Linn. Soc. (Bot.) 9 (1867): 344–9.]
Author: | Johann Friedrich Theodor (Fritz) Müller |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 31 Aug 1865 |
Classmark: | Möller ed. 1915–21, 2: 73–4. |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-4885A |
Matches: 6 hits
- … of the letter, see the letter from Fritz Müller, [12 and 31 August, and 10 October 1865] . …
- … See also letter from Fritz Müller, 12 August 1865 , n. 11. …
- … Hopes CD has received his letter of 12 August. Sends some new observations on climbing …
- … I. See also letter from Fritz Müller, 12 August 1865 , n. 1. For a transcription of this …
- … vol. 13, p. 227. See also letter from Fritz Müller, 12 August 1865 , n. 1. ‘ …
- … Climbing plants’ . See letter from Fritz Müller, 12 August 1865 . For the missing …
From B. J. Sulivan 12 May 1840
Summary
Gives CD the results of some calculations for "dip" over different distances, as requested.
Author: | Bartholomew James Sulivan |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 12 May 1840 |
Classmark: | DAR 177: 274 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-566 |
Matches: 8 hits
- … From B. J. Sulivan 12 May 1840 …
- … DAR 177: 274 Bartholomew James Sulivan Totnes 12 May 1840 Charles Robert Darwin …
- … for short distances almost nothing, the usual allowance is 1 12 of the distance. …
- … thus at 12 miles it would be 1 minute and the …
- … height subtended by an angle of 1 minute at 12 miles distance would be the amount of …
- … have to be subtracted from the dip for 12 miles that is the point you saw Level would be …
- … your level to the amount, thus of distance 12 miles you could elevate the level 1 minute …
- … from the constant changes I believe 1 12 of the distance is about the avarage allowance— …
From George Bentham [after 12 July 1877]
Summary
Answers CD’s query on "bloom".
Author: | George Bentham |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | [after 12 July 1877] |
Classmark: | DAR 160: 169 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-11051 |
Matches: 5 hits
- … From George Bentham [after 12 July 1877] …
- … DAR 160: 169 George Bentham unstated [after 12 July 1877] Charles Robert Darwin …
- … Edited by James A. H. Murray, et al. 12 vols. and supplement. Oxford: Clarendon Press. …
- … letter and the letter to George Bentham, 12 July 1877 . CD had asked Bentham about bloom, …
- … plants; see letter to George Bentham, 12 July 1877 . In apricis et maritimis : exposed to …
From Max Steffen 12 February 1882
Summary
Seven German students drink to CD’s health on his 75th [sic] birthday.
Author: | Maximilian Alexander (Max) Steffen |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 12 Feb 1882 |
Classmark: | DAR 177: 253 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-13678 |
Matches: 4 hits
- … From Max Steffen 12 February 1882 …
- … Maximilian Alexander (Max) Steffen Halle an der Saale 12 Feb 1882 Charles Robert Darwin …
- … Halle a /Saale Febr. 12 th . 1882. Sir! On the 75 th . return of your birth-day seven …
- … In fact, CD turned 73 on 12 February 1882. Bockelmann was a student of natural sciences ( …
From Ernst Haeckel 12 May 1867
Summary
Thanks CD for new edition of Origin [4th ed. (1866)].
Comments on CD’s criticism of the harsh tone of Generelle Morphologie. Thinks he may have harmed himself but not the cause. Believes a radical reform of the science necessary, and since most scientists take a prejudiced view of the matter, a vigorous attack is essential.
Describes his travels in Canaries, Spain, and France.
Author: | Ernst Philipp August (Ernst) Haeckel |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 12 May 1867 |
Classmark: | DAR 166: 44 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5533 |
Matches: 11 hits
- … From Ernst Haeckel 12 May 1867 …
- … DAR 166: 44 Ernst Philipp August (Ernst) Haeckel Jena 12 May 1867 Charles Robert Darwin …
- … Jena 12. Mai 1867 Mein theurer, hochverehrter Freund! …
- … zurückgekehrt, fand ich Ihren lieben Brief vom 12. April vor, sowie die neue Ausgabe Ihres …
- … Jena 12. May 1867 My dear, most admired friend! …
- … a few days, I found your kind letter of 12. April along with the new edition of your …
- … Haeckel also refers to the letter from CD of 12 April [1867] , and the fourth edition of …
- … CUL. A report was also published on 12 September 1867 in the Jenaische Zeitschrift für …
- … and Jahn 1959–60. Haeckel wrote to Huxley on 12 May 1867 (Uschmann and Jahn 1959–60, …
- … pp. 11–12; the letter is at the Imperial College of Science and Technology), mentioning …
- … 1991, pp. 539–40. See letter to Ernst Haeckel, 12 April [1867] and n. 6. Carl Gegenbaur. …
From T. H. Farrer 12 August [1873]
Summary
Further observations concerning the fertilisation of Coronilla by bees.
Reflections concerning the influence of cultivation (i.e., ploughing) upon variation.
Author: | Thomas Henry Farrer, 1st baronet and 1st Baron Farrer |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 12 Aug [1873] |
Classmark: | DAR 164: 76a–76b |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9005A |
Matches: 6 hits
- … From T. H. Farrer 12 August [1873] …
- … Farrer, 1st baronet and 1st Baron Farrer Abinger Hall 12 Aug [1873] Charles Robert Darwin …
- … bee. See letter from T. H. Farrer, 12 August 1873 . Farrer refers to George Payne . …
- … Surrey (Post Town) | Gomshall (Station) S.E.R. 12 August | 11. am. 2. My dear Mr Darwin I …
- … letter and the letter from T. H. Farrer, 12 August 1873 . See letter to T. H. Farrer, …
- … question Sincerely yours | T H Farrer (3)—12 Aug. 1.30 pm I have just been to the garden …
From Karl Beger [12 February 1877]
Author: | Friedrich Theodor Karl (Karl) Beger |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | [12 Feb 1877] |
Classmark: | DAR 201: 3 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-10824 |
From Leonard Blomefield 12 March 1877
Summary
Congratulates CD on testimonials from the savants of Germany and the Netherlands [Nature 15 (1877): 356, 410–12] and generally on his contributions to biology.
Asks if and when CD’s "Variability of organic beings in a state of nature", as projected in 1868 [see Variation 1: 4] is to appear.
Author: | Leonard Jenyns; Leonard Blomefield |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 12 Mar 1877 |
Classmark: | DAR 168: 59 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-10889 |
Matches: 5 hits
- … From Leonard Blomefield 12 March 1877 …
- … DAR 168: 59 Leonard Jenyns/Leonard Blomefield Bath 12 Mar 1877 Charles Robert Darwin …
- … and the Netherlands [ Nature 15 (1877): 356, 410–12] and generally on his contributions to …
- … lovers of science from Holland. CD was 68 on 12 February 1877. The German album was sent …
- … Belmont | Bath. March 12 th | 1877. — My dear Darwin, I cannot refrain from writing you a …
From John Scott 20 January 1865
Summary
Comments on his Primula paper [see 4213].
Describes his situation in Calcutta.
Author: | John Scott |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 20 Jan 1865 |
Classmark: | DAR 177: 114 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-4751 |
Matches: 13 hits
- … to seek employment in India (see Correspondence vol. 12). He departed for Calcutta on …
- … 28 August 1864 (see Correspondence vol. 12, letter from J. D. Hooker, 30 August 1864 , …
- … employment for Scott (see Correspondence vol. 12, letters from J. D. Hooker, [4 June …
- … of 16 May [1864] ( Correspondence vol. 12), Scott remarked: ‘the degree of sterility of …
- … alterations (see Correspondence vol. 12, letter from John Scott, 7 January [1864] , and …
- … to Asa Gray (see Correspondence vol. 12, letter to Asa Gray, 13 September [1864] ). Gray …
- … read the paper (see Correspondence vol. 12, letter to J. D. Hooker, [20–]22 February [ …
- … Oliver to review it (see Correspondence vol. 12, letter to J. D. Hooker, 13 September [ …
- … 3 June 1863] , and Correspondence vol. 12, letter from John Scott, 28 May 1864 ). CD and …
- … 10 June 1863 , and Correspondence vol. 12, letter to J. D. Hooker, 5 April [1864] , and …
- … practical duties (see Correspondence vol. 12, enclosure to letter from J. D. Hooker, 6 …
- … him financial support (see Correspondence vol. 12, letter to John Scott, 9 April 1864 ). …
- … Scott at Down (see Correspondence vol. 12, letter to J. D. Hooker, 7 April [1864] ). He …
letter | (1827) |
Hooker, J. D. | (220) |
Darwin, W. E. | (53) |
Gray, Asa | (49) |
Müller, Fritz | (33) |
Wallace, A. R. | (33) |
Darwin, C. R. | |
Darwin, Emma | (1) |
Wedgwood, Emma | (1) |
Darwin, C. R. | (1827) |
Hooker, J. D. | (220) |
Darwin, W. E. | (53) |
Gray, Asa | (49) |
Müller, Fritz | (33) |
1821 | (1) |
1822 | (1) |
1823 | (1) |
1825 | (3) |
1826 | (4) |
1827 | (1) |
1828 | (1) |
1829 | (1) |
1831 | (3) |
1832 | (11) |
1833 | (5) |
1834 | (6) |
1835 | (5) |
1836 | (4) |
1837 | (4) |
1838 | (2) |
1839 | (10) |
1840 | (3) |
1841 | (3) |
1842 | (1) |
1843 | (6) |
1844 | (9) |
1845 | (13) |
1846 | (4) |
1847 | (2) |
1848 | (7) |
1849 | (2) |
1850 | (2) |
1851 | (3) |
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1855 | (13) |
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1861 | (10) |
1862 | (87) |
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Lost in translation: From Auguste Forel, 12 November 1874
Summary
You receive a gift from your scientific hero Charles Darwin. It is a book that contains sections on your favourite topic—ants. If only you had paid attention when your mother tried to teach you English you might be able to read it. But you didn’t, and you…
Matches: 1 hits
- … barely understand a word. Writing in French on 12 November 1874 to thank Darwin for the …

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, 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 …
1.2 George Richmond, marriage portrait
Summary
< Back to Introduction Few likenesses of Darwin in his youth survive, although more may once have existed. In a letter of 1873 an old Shrewsbury friend, Arthur Mostyn Owen, offered to send Darwin a watercolour sketch of him, painted many years…
Matches: 1 hits
- … < Back to Introduction Few likenesses of Darwin in his youth survive, although more …

Darwin in letters, 1881: Old friends and new admirers
Summary
In May 1881, Darwin, one of the best-known celebrities in England if not the world, began writing about all the eminent men he had met. He embarked on this task, which formed an addition to his autobiography, because he had nothing else to do. He had…
Matches: 6 hits
- … made a small omission ’. Stephen’s reply on 12 January was flattering, reassuring, and …
- … books being ‘a game of chance’ ( letter to R. F. Cooke, 12 April 1881 ). On 18 May he described …
- … Darwin had difficulty in obtaining mature plants. On 12 April, he reported to Müller , ‘I have …
- … to make me happy & contented,’ he told Wallace on 12 July , ‘but life has become very …
- … fight’ (letters to J. D. Hooker, 6 August 1881 and 12 August 1881 ). Darwin may have …
- … else’s judgment on the subject ( letter to A. R. Wallace, 12 July 1881 ). However, some requests …

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 …
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, 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 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

Diagrams and drawings in letters
Summary
Over 850 illustrations from the printed volumes of The Correspondence of Charles Darwin have been added to the online transcripts of the letters. The contents include maps, diagrams, drawings, sketches and photographs, covering geological, botanical,…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Rubiaceae with enclosures containing bud samples, 12 May 1878 G. H. Darwin's …

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…

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…

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…

Cross and self fertilisation
Summary
The effects of cross and self fertilisation in the vegetable kingdom, published on 10 November 1876, was the result of a decade-long project to provide evidence for Darwin’s belief that ‘‘Nature thus tells us, in the most emphatic manner, that she abhors…
Matches: 3 hits

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 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…