To J. S. Henslow [10 November 1839]
Summary
Urges JSH to describe Galapagos species in a paper on the flora of the islands.
Has been interested in geographical distribution and would be interested to have a paper by JSH on the general character of flora of Tierra del Fuego and Patagonia.
"I keep on steadily collecting every sort of fact which may throw light on the origin & variation of species."
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Stevens Henslow |
| Date: | [10 Nov 1839] |
| Classmark: | The Morgan Library and Museum, New York (Heineman Collection MA 7127) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-543 |
To Emma Wedgwood [20 January 1839]
Summary
Comments on recent visit to Maer. Explains that his notion of happiness as quietness and solitude derives from Beagle experience. Hopes Emma will humanise him. Comments on marriage planned for Tuesday.
Describes recent visit by Lyell and his wife. Talked geology for half an hour "with poor Mrs Lyell sitting by". "I want practice in ill-treating the female sex."
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin |
| Date: | [20 Jan 1839] |
| Classmark: | DAR 210.8: 12 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-489 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … DAR 210.8: 12 Charles Robert Darwin Athenaeum Club [20 Jan 1839] Emma Wedgwood/Emma Darwin …
To Leonard Jenyns 17 October [1839]
Summary
Discusses details of arrangements for descriptions and engravings [for Fish].
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Leonard Jenyns; Leonard Blomefield |
| Date: | 17 Oct [1839] |
| Classmark: | Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-539 |
To Leonard Jenyns 14 October [1839]
Summary
Informs LJ that Yarrell has recommended B. W. Hawkins to do the plates [for Fish]. Discusses arrangements to be made, number of plates, etc. Answers LJ’s questions about several specimens.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Leonard Jenyns; Leonard Blomefield |
| Date: | 14 Oct [1839] |
| Classmark: | Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-538 |
To W. D. Fox 24 October [1839]
Summary
Hopes to publish volume on coral formations in a few months.
He and Emma live quietly, having given up parties.
Asks WDF if he remembers the Darwin family motto. He means to have a "seal solemnly engraved".
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | 24 Oct [1839] |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 58) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-541 |
To Caroline Wedgwood [27 October 1839]
Summary
Describes his routine for a typical day – writing Coral reefs, studying German.
FitzRoy’s "Deluge Chapter" [Narrative 2, ch. 28] will amuse her.
His opinion of Carlyle’s Critical and miscellaneous essays [1839].
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Caroline Sarah (Caroline) Darwin; Caroline Sarah (Caroline) Wedgwood |
| Date: | [27 Oct 1839] |
| Classmark: | DAR 154: 54 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-542 |
To William Herbert [c. 1 April 1839]
Summary
Questions on breeding of plants: variation in established versus new varieties; predominance of wild species and old varieties when crossed with newer forms; predominance of males versus females; correlations between ease of hybridisation and tendency to vary and undergo cultivation; reversion; correlations between hybridisation and geographic distribution.
In WH’s Amaryllidaceae [1837], does he intend to say crossing is inimical to fertility?
[Sent via J. S. Henslow; note to amanuensis Syms Covington.]
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Herbert, dean of Manchester |
| Date: | [c. 1 Apr 1839] |
| Classmark: | DAR 185: 62 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-502 |
To Charles Lyell [c. 9 January 1839]
Summary
Discusses his Glen Roy paper [(1839), Collected papers 1: 87–137], which he is sending to CL.
Remarks on Charles MacLaren’s treatment of alluvium. Comments on alluvial action in Lochaber.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Charles Lyell, 1st baronet |
| Date: | [c. 9 Jan 1839] |
| Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.15) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-480 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … Robert Darwin London, Upper Gower St, 12 [c. 9 Jan 1839] Charles Lyell, 1st baronet …
From J. G. Malcolmson 7 October 1839
Summary
Sends notes on soundings made on coral banks in the China Sea.
His recent geological observations.
Finds a difficulty with CD’s erratic block theory.
| Author: | John Grant Malcolmson |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 7 Oct 1839 |
| Classmark: | DAR 39: 12–14 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-535 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … DAR 39: 12–14 John Grant Malcolmson Forres 7 Oct 1839 Charles Robert Darwin …
To John Maurice Herbert [January 1839 – September 1842]
Summary
Suggests the names of two bird-preservers for JMH’s friend.
In reference to an earlier letter, replies: "As for Birds of Paradise from the West Indies, tell that to the marines, as we used to say on board the Beagle".
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Maurice Herbert |
| Date: | [Jan 1839 – Sept 1842] |
| Classmark: | Bonhams, New York (dealers) (11 December 2013) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-476A |
To William Lonsdale [27 April 1839 or earlier]
Summary
Returns Whewell’s presidential address to the Geological Society of London (Whewell 1839), and suggests that ‘rules’ be changed to ‘customs’.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Lonsdale |
| Date: | [27 Apr 1839 or earlier] |
| Classmark: | University Archives (dealers) (3 March 2021, lot 73) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-496F |
Matches: 1 hit
- … into customs I think. — Yours very truly | Chas. Darwin 12, Upper Gower St | Saturday …
From J. S. Henslow 7 February 1839
Summary
Writes to CD as "Brother Benedick" and sends hearty good wishes for health and happiness in marriage. They are sending a little silver candlestick for a wax taper.
| Author: | John Stevens Henslow |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 7 Feb 1839 |
| Classmark: | DAR 204: 167 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-495 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … Edited by James A. H. Murray, et al. 12 vols. and supplement. Oxford: Clarendon Press. …
From William Lonsdale 15 June 1839
Summary
Acknowledges Journal of researches.
| Author: | William Lonsdale |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 15 June 1839 |
| Classmark: | DAR 204: 182 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-521 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … near the island of Juan Fernandez on 12 February 1839 ( Proceedings of the Geological …
From Emma Wedgwood [3 January 1839]
Summary
Emma is surprised how quickly CD has moved into the new house and understands his feeling of triumph. Wants him and Fanny [Mrs Hensleigh] Wedgwood to settle on hiring a cook.
Is reading Mansfield Park [Jane Austen (1814)], which she finds "very suitable".
| Author: | Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [3 Jan 1839] |
| Classmark: | DAR 204: 158 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-482 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … address on the cover has the ‘1’ of 12 Upper Gower Street written over the beginning of …
From Emma Wedgwood [7 January 1839]
Summary
Still rejoices in having found the house they like.
Thinks he might enjoy Jenny [Jane Welsh] Carlyle’s company more away from Carlyle "as she must have her full swing in talking".
Says the wedding must be fixed for the 29th instead of the 24th.
Hopes he will look better than on his last visit.
| Author: | Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [7 Jan 1839] |
| Classmark: | DAR 204: 159 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-485 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … Edited by James A. H. Murray, et al. 12 vols. and supplement. Oxford: Clarendon Press. …
From G. R. Waterhouse [1839 – 10 February 1840]
Summary
Sends John Blackwall’s book [Researches in zoology (1834)]. Discusses his reasons for doubting that there are any marsupials in Java or Sumatra.
| Author: | George Robert Waterhouse |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [1839 – 10 Feb 1840] |
| Classmark: | DAR 205.3: 295 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-475 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … The letter is addressed to ‘12 Upper Gower St’, CD’s residence from January 1839 to …
From William Herbert [c. 27 June 1839]
Summary
Rejects necessity of outbreeding and any general law of reversion.
Describes further experiments with Hippeastrum showing greater fertility with foreign pollen than with individual’s own pollen or with pollen from another individual of same species.
Does not believe CD’s questions about reversion can be answered in present state of knowledge.
| Author: | William Herbert, dean of Manchester |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [c. 27 June 1839] |
| Classmark: | DAR 185: 67 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-524 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … See paragraph 12 of the letter from William Herbert to J. S. Henslow, 5 April 1839 . W. …
From Alexander von Humboldt 18 September 1839
Summary
Praises CD’s Journal of researches and comments on some of CD’s observations and conclusions. Considers volcanic activity and its effect on past climate and changes in climate over time. Discusses glacial phenomena. Believes the climate of the coast of Peru is modified by cold sea-currents.
| Author: | Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich Alexander (Alexander) von Humboldt |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 18 Sept 1839 |
| Classmark: | DAR 204: 180 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-534 |
To Emma Wedgwood 2 [–3 January 1839]
Summary
His dinner with the Carlyles. "He is the best worth listening to of any man" – but CD cannot get up much admiration for Mrs C, partly because of her Scots accent, which makes her difficult to understand.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin |
| Date: | 2 [–3 Jan 1839] |
| Classmark: | DAR 210.8: 10 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-481 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … Albert Way called on me to day at N o . 12, & after looking about him sometime said, “I …
From Richard Sutton Ford 6 May 1839
Summary
Answers to [Questions about breeding].
| Author: | Richard Sutton Ford |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 6 May 1839 |
| Classmark: | DAR 186: 44 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-509 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … at all rare instances of the kind. Q y . 12. The sexual passion of the males, in cattle …
| letter | (61) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (51) |
| Darwin, Emma | (3) |
| Wedgwood, Emma | (3) |
| Malcolmson, J. G. | (2) |
| Ford, R. S. | (1) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (10) |
| Royal Geographical Society | (5) |
| Spearman, A. Y. | (5) |
| Babbage, Charles | (4) |
| Blomefield, Leonard | (4) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (61) |
| Darwin, Emma | (6) |
| Wedgwood, Emma | (6) |
| Royal Geographical Society | (5) |
| Spearman, A. Y. | (5) |
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…
