To T. C. Eyton 12 [May 1861 – April 1863]
Summary
Thanks TCE for telling him of his crossed pigs. When they are grown, he would like to know whether they resemble each other.
Doubts the half-bred Gallus sonnerati will be productive, though he was assured many years ago that such a fertile half-breed once occurred.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Thomas Campbell Eyton |
Date: | 12 [May 1861 - Apr 1863] |
Classmark: | Cadbury Research Library: Special Collections, University of Birmingham (EYT/1/45) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-13804 |
Matches: 27 hits
- … To T. C. Eyton 12 [May 1861 – April 1863] …
- … Special Collections, University of Birmingham (EYT/1/45) Charles Robert Darwin Down 12 May …
- … 1861 12 June …
- … 1861 12 July …
- … 1861 12 Aug …
- … 1861 12 Sept …
- … 1861 12 Oct …
- … 1861 12 Nov …
- … 1861 12 Dec …
- … 1861 12 Jan …
- … 1862 12 Feb …
- … 1862 12 Mar …
- … 1862 12 Apr …
- … 1862 12 May …
- … 1862 12 June …
- … 1862 12 July …
- … 1862 12 Aug …
- … 1862 12 Sept …
- … 1862 12 Oct …
- … 1862 12 Nov …
- … 1862 12 Dec …
- … 1862 12 Jan …
- … 1863 12 Feb …
- … 1863 12 Mar …
- … 1863 12 Apr 1863 Thomas Campbell Eyton …
- … Down. | Bromley. | Kent. S.E. 12 th Dear Eyton I am particularly obliged to you for …
- … sonneratii . In Natural selection , p. 435 n. 12, CD wrote, ‘several years ago I myself …
To ? 12 February [1870–82]
Summary
Send information about the bust of himself by Thomas Woolner and suggests applying to the sculptor himself about a cast.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Unidentified |
Date: | 12 Feb [1870-82] |
Classmark: | Erbengemeinschaft Alberts (private collection) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6611F |
Matches: 15 hits
- … To ? 12 February [1870–82] …
- … Erbengemeinschaft Alberts (private collection) Charles Robert Darwin 12 Feb …
- … 1870 12 Feb …
- … 1871 12 Feb …
- … 1872 12 Feb …
- … 1873 12 Feb …
- … 1874 12 Feb …
- … 1875 12 Feb …
- … 1876 12 Feb …
- … 1877 12 Feb …
- … 1878 12 Feb …
- … 1879 12 Feb …
- … 1880 12 Feb …
- … 1881 12 Feb 1882 Down Unidentified …
- … Down. | Beckenham. Feb 12 Dear Sir, I regret that I cannot give you much assistance, …
To Hermann Müller 12 February [1879]
Summary
Has just heard that HM has been treated shamefully by his Government. What has happened?
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Heinrich Ludwig Hermann (Hermann) Müller |
Date: | 12 Feb [1879] |
Classmark: | DAR 146: 440 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-11876 |
Matches: 5 hits
- … To Hermann Müller 12 February [1879] …
- … DAR 146: 440 Charles Robert Darwin Down 12 Feb [1879] Heinrich Ludwig Hermann (Hermann) …
- … this letter and the letter to Arnold Dodel-Port, 12 February 1879 . The letter from Arnold …
- … has not been found, but see the letter to Arnold Dodel-Port, 12 February 1879 and n. 3. …
- … Down, Beckenham, Kent Feb: 12. My dear Sir I have just heard from D r . Dodel Port of …
To ? 12 July [1872–4]
Summary
Has not strength or time to hunt for Herminium monorchis; has failed to make orchid seeds germinate.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Unidentified |
Date: | 12 July [1872-4] |
Classmark: | National Library of Russia (Collection of P. Waxell (F. 965): no 637) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-8406F |
To G. H. Darwin 12 [December 1874 or January 1875?]
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | George Howard Darwin |
Date: | 12 [Dec 1874 - Jan 1875] |
Classmark: | DAR 210.1: 43 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9221 |
To G. E. Dobson 12 April 1878
Summary
Monstrosity of fuchsia sent by GD not uncommon.
Does not recall bats at Galapagos.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | George Edward Dobson |
Date: | 12 Apr 1878 |
Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-11473 |
Matches: 5 hits
- … To G. E. Dobson 12 April 1878 …
- … Society (Mss.B.D25. ) Charles Robert Darwin Down 12 Apr 1878 George Edward Dobson …
- … See letter from G. E. Dobson, 12 April 1878 . Dobson had asked CD about the presence of …
- … Islands (see letter from G. E. Dobson, 12 April 1878 ); he included the information in …
- … Railway Station | Orpington. S.E.R. April 12 th 1878 Dear D r . Dobson. The monstrosity of …
To Leonard Darwin 12 July [1879]
Summary
Will shorten or leave out many parts [of Erasmus Darwin] but cannot agree that it is not worth while to say something about the family.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Leonard Darwin |
Date: | 12 July [1879] |
Classmark: | DAR 153: 93 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-12153 |
Matches: 5 hits
- … To Leonard Darwin 12 July [1879] …
- … DAR 153: 93 Charles Robert Darwin Down 12 July [1879] Leonard Darwin …
- … July 12 My dear old Lenny … I am quite ready to shorten or leave out many parts, but at …
- … between this letter and the letter from Leonard Darwin, [before 12 July] 1879 . …
- … In his letter of [before 12 July] 1879 , Leonard had suggested omitting the text relating …
To J. D. Hooker 12 January [1873]
Summary
Had thrown Geographical Society’s Proceedings in waste-basket, but as Strachey shows such admirable powers of discrimination he will fish it out and read the whole article.
Comments on 3d ed. of Sachs’s work [Lehrbuch der Botanik (1873)]. Wishes he were more controversial.
Has become wonderfully interested in Drosera and Dionaea.
9000 copies of Expression have been printed and most are sold.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
Date: | 12 Jan [1873] |
Classmark: | DAR 94: 251–2 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-8733 |
Matches: 7 hits
- … To J. D. Hooker 12 January [1873] …
- … DAR 94: 251–2 Charles Robert Darwin Down 12 Jan [1873] Joseph Dalton Hooker …
- … this letter and the letter from J. D. Hooker, 12 January 1873 . See letter from J. …
- … D. Hooker, 12 January 1873 and n. 9. CD refers to William Ewart Gladstone . …
- … See letter from J. D. Hooker, 12 January 1873 and n. 7. CD refers to Richard …
- … Down, | Beckenham, Kent. Jan 12 th My dear Hooker I am glad to have seen Gladstone’s …
- … 1873 ). See letter from J. D. Hooker, 12 January 1873 and n. 2. CD’s annotated copy of …
To Arnold Dodel-Port 12 February 1879
Summary
Thanks AD-P for the gift of part of his Atlas [see 11039].
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Arnold Dodel-Port |
Date: | 12 Feb 1879 |
Classmark: | Zentralbibliothek, Zürich (Ms. Z VIII 417.2) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-11877 |
Matches: 5 hits
- … To Arnold Dodel-Port 12 February 1879 …
- … Zürich (Ms. Z VIII 417.2) Charles Robert Darwin Down 12 Feb 1879 Arnold Dodel-Port …
- … Railway Station | Orpington. S.E.R. ) Feb. 12 th 1879 My dear Sir I thank you for your …
- … vol. 26, letter from Arnold Dodel-Port, 12 June 1878 . Dodel-Port taught botany at the …
- … his teaching; see letter to Hermann Müller, 12 February [1879] , and letter from Hermann …
To Rolla Charles Meadows Rouse [after 12 March 1868]
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Rolla Charles Meadows Rouse |
Date: | [after 12 Mar 1868] |
Classmark: | DAR 96: 39-40 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5962 |
Matches: 6 hits
- … To Rolla Charles Meadows Rouse [after 12 March 1868] …
- … 96: 39-40 Charles Robert Darwin unstated [after 12 Mar 1868] Rolla Charles Meadows Rouse …
- … Edited by James A. H. Murray, et al. 12 vols. and supplement. Oxford: Clarendon Press. …
- … this letter and the letter from Alfred Wrigley, 12 March 1868 . According to Emma Darwin’s …
- … left home on 29 April 1868. In his letter of 12 March 1868 , Wrigley had indicated that he …
- … had been ill for much of the period from 1862 to 1864 (see Correspondence vols. 10–12). …
To N. N. Christophe 12 February 1879
Summary
Thanks for birthday greetings.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | N. N. Christophe |
Date: | 12 Feb 1879 |
Classmark: | John Wilson (dealer) (item 26009) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-11874F |
Matches: 4 hits
- … To N. N. Christophe 12 February 1879 …
- … John Wilson (dealer) (item 26009) Charles Robert Darwin Down 12 Feb 1879 N. N. Christophe …
- … Down, | Beckenham, Kent. Feb 12 1879 Dear Sir I beg leave to return you my sincere thanks …
- … it as Herrn Christophe. Christophe has not been identified. CD was 70 on 12 February 1879. …
To Francis Darwin 12 September [1878]
Summary
Julius von Sachs’s views on stomata seem largely correct, but CD cannot understand how leaves can survive submerged for such long periods.
Has been observing Drosera and concludes that none of the movement of the tentacles is caused by growth.
Suggests observations to show role of pulvinus in leaf movement.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Francis Darwin |
Date: | 12 Sept [1878] |
Classmark: | DAR 211: 45 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-11690 |
Matches: 7 hits
- … To Francis Darwin 12 September [1878] …
- … DAR 211: 45 Charles Robert Darwin Down 12 Sept [1878] Francis Darwin …
- … s son. See letter from Francis Darwin, [12 September 1878] and n. 2. Francis had sent …
- … Railway Station | Orpington. S.E.R. Sept 12 th . My dear F. I have been very glad to hear …
- … relationship between this letter and the letter from Francis Darwin, [12 September 1878] . …
- … See letter from Francis Darwin, [12 September 1878] . See Origin 6th ed. , pp. 119–20 (‘A …
- … vol. 25, letter from W. E. Darwin, [12 or 19 July 1877] . See Movement in plants , p. 261. …
To J. D. Hooker 12 [April 1859]
Summary
CD agrees cultivated plants may begin to vary after some time and then may vary suddenly, but cautions JDH on lack of evidence. His explanation is that small variations are ignored until they accumulate.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
Date: | 12 [Apr 1859] |
Classmark: | DAR 115: 12 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2453 |
To T. H. Huxley [after 12 January 1875]
Summary
CD has written to Mivart to say that he will never hold any communication with him in future.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Thomas Henry Huxley |
Date: | [after 12 Jan 1875] |
Classmark: | DAR 145: 276 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9813 |
Matches: 4 hits
- … To T. H. Huxley [after 12 January 1875] …
- … DAR 145: 276 Charles Robert Darwin Down [after 12 Jan 1875] Thomas Henry Huxley …
- … letter and the letter to St G. J. Mivart, 12 January 1875 . CD had written to St George …
- … Darwin’s views condoned immorality; see the letter to St G. J. Mivart, 12 January 1875 . …
To ? 12 November 1874
Summary
Is obliged for addressee’s courteous note and is indifferent to how his name is used.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Unidentified |
Date: | 12 Nov 1874 |
Classmark: | Smith College, Mortimer Rare Book Collection (MiscMS 253) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9717F |
To James Samuelson 12 October [1867]
Summary
Thanks for Quarterly Journal of Science 4 (1867). Has just read Wallace’s admirable article in last number ["Creation by law", Q. J. Sci. 4 (1867): 471–88]. He is a master of clear argument.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | James Samuelson |
Date: | 12 Oct [1867] |
Classmark: | Paul V. Galvin Library, Illinois Institute of Technology |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5647 |
Matches: 4 hits
- … To James Samuelson 12 October [1867] …
- … For more on the article, see the letter to A. R. Wallace, 12 and 13 October [1867] . …
- … Illinois Institute of Technology Charles Robert Darwin Down 12 Oct [1867] James Samuelson …
- … Down. | Bromley. | Kent. S.E. Oct 12 My dear Sir I am much obliged for your kind present …
To G. H. Darwin 12 July 1879
Summary
CD thinks nothing had better be done about the deeds at present.
Henrietta thinks Erasmus Darwin almost too dull to publish.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | George Howard Darwin |
Date: | 12 July 1879 |
Classmark: | DAR 210.1: 87; unknown |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-12149 |
Matches: 5 hits
- … To G. H. Darwin 12 July 1879 …
- … DAR 210.1: 87; unknown Charles Robert Darwin Down 12 July 1879 George Howard Darwin …
- … Down, 12 th July 79 My dear G. I have written to thank Col. Chester & told him that …
- … Chester ; see letter to J. L. Chester, 12 July 1879 and n. 1. Emma Darwin was probably …
- … liked it (see letter to Francis Darwin, 12 July [1879] and n. 9). This postscript was …
To John Andrews [before 12 March 1877]
Summary
Asks when his waggonette will be finished.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Andrews |
Date: | [before 12 Mar 1877] |
Classmark: | Haslemere Educational Museum (HAEEM.LD.5.729) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-10890A |
Matches: 5 hits
- … To John Andrews [before 12 March 1877] …
- … Museum (HAEEM.LD.5.729) Charles Robert Darwin Down [before 12 Mar 1877] John Andrews …
- … Edited by James A. H. Murray, et al. 12 vols. and supplement. Oxford: Clarendon Press. …
- … In his Account books–cash account (Down House MS), CD recorded paying Andrews £128 12 s. 6 …
- … d. on 12 March 1877 for ‘New Carriage less old one £14’. …
To J. T. Moggridge 12 June [1874]
Summary
Did not know Duval-Jouve was an evolutionist.
Delighted at JTM’s success with spiders.
On JTM’s experiments with acids on seeds.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Traherne Moggridge |
Date: | 12 June [1874] |
Classmark: | DAR 146: 382 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9490 |
Matches: 5 hits
- … To J. T. Moggridge 12 June [1874] …
- … DAR 146: 382 Charles Robert Darwin Down 12 June [1874] John Traherne Moggridge …
- … to CD in 1864 (see Correspondence vol. 12, letter to J. T. Moggridge, 19 June [1864] , …
- … Bulletin de la Société botanique de France , 12: 196–211. Flahault, Charles. 1884. Notice …
- … Down Beckenham June 12 th . My dear Sir It is very good of you to write me so interesting …
To Philip Lutley Sclater 12 May [1862]
Summary
Asks for information about japanned peacocks from Hudson [John Henry?] Gurney’s flock.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Philip Lutley Sclater |
Date: | 12 May [1862] |
Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.276) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3543 |
Matches: 5 hits
- … To Philip Lutley Sclater 12 May [1862] …
- … Society (Mss.B.D25.276) Charles Robert Darwin Down 12 May [1862] Philip Lutley Sclater …
- … Down. | Bromley. | Kent. S.E. May 12 th Dear Sclater M r Bartlett told me at the Gardens …
- … Variation (see letter to William Darwin Fox, 12 May [1862] , n. 6). In Variation 1: 291, …
- … CD’s view (see letter to William Darwin Fox, 12 May [1862] , n. 6), that the ‘japanned’ …
letter | (1911) |
Darwin, C. R. | |
Darwin, Emma | (4) |
Wedgwood, Emma | (4) |
Darwin, Francis | (2) |
Darwin, E. A. | (1) |
Darwin, W. E. | (1) |
Hooker, J. D. | (273) |
Lyell, Charles | (60) |
Darwin, W. E. | (53) |
Gray, Asa | (53) |
Huxley, T. H. | (53) |
Darwin, C. R. | (1911) |
Hooker, J. D. | (273) |
Lyell, Charles | (60) |
Darwin, W. E. | (54) |
Gray, Asa | (53) |
1822 | (3) |
1826 | (1) |
1828 | (1) |
1829 | (5) |
1830 | (2) |
1831 | (9) |
1832 | (6) |
1833 | (5) |
1834 | (5) |
1835 | (6) |
1836 | (2) |
1837 | (10) |
1838 | (6) |
1839 | (51) |
1840 | (33) |
1841 | (18) |
1842 | (33) |
1843 | (15) |
1844 | (15) |
1845 | (25) |
1846 | (15) |
1847 | (31) |
1848 | (15) |
1849 | (22) |
1850 | (19) |
1851 | (17) |
1852 | (8) |
1853 | (11) |
1854 | (12) |
1855 | (25) |
1856 | (40) |
1857 | (43) |
1858 | (34) |
1859 | (35) |
1860 | (77) |
1861 | (56) |
1862 | (89) |
1863 | (99) |
1864 | (80) |
1865 | (62) |
1866 | (60) |
1867 | (67) |
1868 | (52) |
1869 | (45) |
1870 | (24) |
1871 | (63) |
1872 | (43) |
1873 | (39) |
1874 | (79) |
1875 | (52) |
1876 | (35) |
1877 | (42) |
1878 | (68) |
1879 | (65) |
1880 | (44) |
1881 | (70) |
1882 | (22) |

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…
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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…
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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…