To John Murray 12 April [1845]
Summary
CD clarifies his relationship with Henry Colburn with regard to a 2d ed. of the Journal of researches. "I never signed any agreement of any kind; but the separate sale of my Journal in the first edition was with my verbal consent & approval."
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Murray |
Date: | 12 Apr [1845] |
Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42153 ff.4–5) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-856 |
To G. B. Sowerby 12 [November 1845]
Summary
Asks for a meeting in order to go over the shells [which GBS was to describe in the appendix on Tertiary fossil shells in South America].
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | George Brettingham Sowerby |
Date: | 12 [Nov 1845] |
Classmark: | Houghton Library, Harvard University (Autograph File, D) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-926 |
From J. D. Hooker [after 12 July 1845]
Author: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | [after 12 July 1845] |
Classmark: | DAR 100: 43–7 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-883 |
To J. D. Hooker [5 or 12 November 1845]
Summary
Thanks for Antarctic flora [Flora Antarctica (1844–7)].
Agrees geographical distribution will be "the key which will unlock the mystery of species".
Could JDH look over a rough sketch on species?
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
Date: | [5 or 12] Nov 1845 |
Classmark: | DAR 114: 45 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-924 |
To J. D. Hooker [11–12 July 1845]
Summary
A son [George Howard Darwin] was born on Wednesday.
Sends queries on Galapagos flora.
Discusses JDH’s comments on [Journal of researches].
CD feels that with his views on descent "really Nat. Hist. becomes a sublimely grand result-giving subject".
"How differently people view the same subject, for I look at insular Floras … as leading to an opposite view to yours."
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
Date: | [11–12 July 1845] |
Classmark: | DAR 114: 36, 100: 43–7 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-889 |
From J. D. Hooker [28 April 1845]
Summary
First part of "Galapagos flora" ["Plants of the Galapagos Archipelago", Trans. Linn. Soc. Lond. 20 (1851): 163–233] finished but not printed.
Details of distribution of Galapagos flora. Peculiarity of island floras.
Leaves for Edinburgh on Wednesday.
Author: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | [28 Apr 1845] |
Classmark: | DAR 100: 48 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-862 |
Matches: 4 hits
- … enclosure with letter to J. D. Hooker, [11–12 July 1845] , n. 22, and letter from J. …
- … D. Hooker, [after 12 July 1845] , where Hooker corrects this figure to ‘40’. …
- … enclosure with letter to J. D. Hooker, [11–12 July 1845] ). See Hooker’s annotation on …
- … carefully at Edinbro. There are 21 compositæ of 12 genera. all but one species peculiar to …
From Bartholomew James Sulivan 13 January – 12 February 1845
Summary
Describes stratification of cliffs on south shore of Rio Gallegos; fossils found at base of cliffs. Speculates about geological past of the area. Discusses climate of southern Patagonia; navigation problems at the mouth of Rio Gallegos.
Gives results of soundings taken between Falkland Islands and South American mainland. Describes geology of Falklands, especially the dikes found on many islands. Comments on climate of Falklands. Discusses horses and cattle, health of his children in the Falklands. Mentions volutes found in the Falklands.
Passes on report of FitzRoy’s policies as governor of New Zealand.
Author: | Bartholomew James Sulivan |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 13 Jan – 12 Feb 1845 |
Classmark: | DAR 46.1: 75–86 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-730 |
Matches: 7 hits
- … From Bartholomew James Sulivan 13 January – 12 February 1845 …
- … Sulivan HMS Philomel , Rio Gallegos, Patagonia 13 Jan – 12 Feb 1845 Charles Robert Darwin …
- … myself a spell. Stanley (Port William) Feb y 12. 45 we arrived here two days since and …
- … 75. Journal of researches , pp. 611–12. Haematopus leucopodus , the Falkland Islands …
- … Cliffs of the same kind commence at about 12 miles up this River on the North shore (the …
- … shades of colour, but three beds of from 12 to 20 feet wide were of a more compact nature, …
- … of shingle you describe. It was from 6 to 12 feet deep forming a border to all the cliffs …
To J. D. Hooker [25 November 1845]
Summary
Can JDH come to Down on 6 December? If this is convenient, CD will ask Forbes, Falconer, and perhaps Waterhouse.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
Date: | [25 Nov 1845] |
Classmark: | DAR 114: 48 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-930 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … Waterhouse . See letters to G. B. Sowerby, 12 [November 1845] , and to J. D. Hooker, [ …
From J. D. Hooker [19 November 1845]
Summary
Answers CD’s queries arising from Flora Antarctica.
Would like CD to come to town and go over Galapagos plants with him.
Author: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | [19 Nov 1845] |
Classmark: | DAR 100: 57–8 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-928 |
To Hugh Falconer [1845?–7 or 1857–64]
Summary
Arranges a time for visiting HF.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Hugh Falconer |
Date: | 1845-7 or 1857-64 |
Classmark: | DAR 144: 21 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2305 |
From B. J. Sulivan 4 July 1845
Summary
On marking and shipment of fossils.
Has met the artist, J. M. Rugendas.
Discusses British and French relations with Rosas government [of Argentina].
Author: | Bartholomew James Sulivan |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 4 July 1845 |
Classmark: | DAR 46.1: 87–8 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-886 |
From J. D. Hooker 5 July 1845
Summary
Raises some points for revision of CD’s Journal of researches.
Southern island floras. "The more I ponder upon Insular Floras the less inclined I am to admit the mutation of species to any very great amount."
Author: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 5 July 1845 |
Classmark: | DAR 100: 51–4 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-887 |
To John Murray [3 July 1845]
Summary
Thanks JM for present of 12 copies [of first part of Journal of researches, 2d ed.]. MS [of second part] will be sent to printer Monday or Tuesday.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Murray |
Date: | [3 July 1845] |
Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff. 27–28) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-885 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … Thanks JM for present of 12 copies [of first part of Journal of researches , 2d ed. ]. …
To J. D. Hooker [22 July – 19 August 1845]
Summary
Thanks for facts on solitary islands having several species of peculiar genera; "it knocks on the head some analogies of mine".
Has long been trying to discover in how many flowers crossing is probable, but finds it difficult to show "even a vague probability of this".
Will JDH proof-read Galapagos chapter of Journal of researches?
Gives information on his Galapagos collection; explains why it differs from others.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
Date: | [22 July – 19 Aug 1845] |
Classmark: | DAR 114: 37 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-892 |
To Charles Hamilton Smith 14 January [1845]
Summary
Has read CHS’s paper, "Original population of America" [Edinburgh New Philos. J. 38 (1844–5): 1–20], and is eager to know reference for the account of a "ruined city in the Caroline Group", indicating that the land has subsided. Refers to his own subsidence hypothesis in his work [Coral reefs].
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Charles Hamilton Smith |
Date: | 14 Jan [1845] |
Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-815 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … vol. 1, letter to Caroline Darwin, 12 November [1831] . C. H. Smith 1845 . Coral reefs , …
To John Murray [5 April 1845]
Summary
Thanks for note. Believes agreement with Henry Colburn does not cover 2d ed. of Journal of researches. Regrets Murray’s Colonial Library series will require one-fifth reduction of text; will consult Lyell on how to reduce scientific part. Prefers that JM consult with Colburn, but in case he declines, encloses draft of letter he would send to Colburn. Anticipates co-operation of Colburn, as he has paid CD nothing for 1st ed. of Journal.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Murray |
Date: | [5 Apr 1845] |
Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff.3–7) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-851 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … letters to John Murray , [10 April 1845] , 12 April [1845] , and 17 [April 1845] , n. 1. …
To C. G. Ehrenberg 29 October [1845]
Summary
Sends specimens. Asks for information about specimens from Rio Gallegos.
What does CGE mean by the term "Fluthgebiete"?
French translation gives impression that Ehrenberg attributes Pampas deposit to debacle.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg |
Date: | 29 Oct [1845] |
Classmark: | Museum für Naturkunde Berlin (MfN/HBSB, N005 NL Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg Nr. 43) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-923 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … letters from B. J. Sulivan, 13 January – 12 February 1845 and 4 July 1845 . See letter …
To J. D. Hooker [4 June 1845]
Summary
JDH’s books have arrived safely.
Is sending him corrected MS of first part of Journal of researches [2d ed.].
Lyells have just visited.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
Date: | [4 June 1845] |
Classmark: | DAR 114: 34 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-864 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … May 1845] and [6 June 1845] . Letter from B. J. Sulivan, 13 January – 12 February 1845 . …
To Charles Lyell 25 August [1845]
Summary
Discusses the power of land covered with snow to radiate heat.
Criticises CL’s discussion of slavery [in Travels in North America (1845)]. A review of CL’s book is in Gardeners’ Chronicle.
Mentions John Lindley’s views on carbonic acid gas and extinction;
refers to the discussion of multiple and single creations in Humboldt’s Kosmos.
The origin of volcanic craters of elevation.
There is a popular demand for a new edition of Principles.
Praises palaeobotanical work of C. J. F. Bunbury.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Charles Lyell, 1st baronet |
Date: | 25 Aug [1845] |
Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.45) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-905 |
From J. D. Hooker [22–30 January 1845]
Author: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | [22–30 Jan 1845] |
Classmark: | DAR 104: 247–8 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-818 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … common. — Of Lycopodiæ Soc & Sandwich have each 12 with 5 in common. — (DAR 104: 248). On …
letter | (38) |
Darwin, C. R. | (25) |
Hooker, J. D. | (6) |
Higgins, John | (2) |
Sulivan, B. J. | (2) |
Carpenter, W. B. | (1) |
Darwin, C. R. | (13) |
Murray, John (b) | (9) |
Hooker, J. D. | (6) |
Henslow, J. S. | (2) |
Darwin, Emma | (1) |
Darwin, C. R. | (38) |
Hooker, J. D. | (12) |
Murray, John (b) | (9) |
Henslow, J. S. | (2) |
Higgins, John | (2) |

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…