To W. D. Fox 8 [June 1856]
Summary
The responses to his queries on domestic variations are coming in from all over; believes he will make an interesting collection. At present concerned with rabbits and ducks.
Has told Lyell of his views on species and CL urges CD to publish a preliminary essay. Has begun to work on it, with fear and trembling at its inadequacies.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | 8 [June 1856] |
| Classmark: | University of British Columbia Library, Rare Books and Special Collections (Pearce/Darwin Fox collection RBSC-ARC-1721-1-10) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1895 |
Matches: 7 hits
- … 1–2 May 1856 , and letter to Charles Lyell, 3 May [1856] . The manuscript of the first two …
- … written on the back of CD’s letter of 4 June [1856] (see n. 1, above), Ellen Sophia Fox …
- … to Brooke has not been found, but see the letter to Edgar Leopold Layard, 8 June [1856] . …
- … and his wife had visited Down from 13 to 16 April 1856. See letter from Charles Lyell, …
- … CD’s letter to W. D. Fox, 4 June [1856] , was forwarded to Fox at Harrogate, where he had …
- … court of Persia. See letter to W. B. Tegetmeier, 29 November [1856] . Perhaps from S. …
- … 1856. CD and Emma did not go to Tenby in July as planned, judging from an entry of 29 July in Emma’s diary: ‘Willy came home from Tenby’. CD had sent out a letter …
To W. D. Fox 30 October [1857]
Summary
Has come to think his brains were not made for thinking – he immediately feels better when at Moor Park.
News of his family.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | 30 Oct [1857] |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 104) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2161 |
To W. D. Fox 8 February [1857]
Summary
Birth of his sixth son [C. W. Darwin]. It is dreadful "to think of all the sendings to school and the professions afterwards".
CD is not well but has not the courage for water-cure again; trying mineral acids.
Working hard on the book [Natural selection]; is overwhelmed with riches in facts and interested in way facts fall into groups.
To his surprise [Helix pomatia] has withstood 14 days in salt water.
Pigeons’ skins come in from all parts of the world.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | 8 Feb [1857] |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 110) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2049 |
To W. D. Fox 14 June [1856]
Summary
Does not intend to work systematically on cats. Their origin is in doubt and they have been crossed too many ways.
It would be valuable to know whether half-bred ducks are fertile inter se or with a third breed. Is investigating this with pigeons.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | 14 June [1856] |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 98) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1901 |
From W. D. Fox 19 December [1856]
Summary
Informs CD that in his experience with peas he has never found the seed to deteriorate.
| Author: | William Darwin Fox |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 19 Dec [1856] |
| Classmark: | DAR 77: 170 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-11799 |
Matches: 4 hits
- … vol. 6, letter to the Gardeners’ Chronicle , [before 6 December 1856] . See n. 4, above. …
- … October 1856 he underwent treatment on his leg (see Correspondence vol. 6, letters to W. …
- … letter to Edward Cresy, 29 April [1853] ). Gardeners’ Chronicle and Agricultural Gazette , 13 December 1856, …
- … 1856] ). CD had erected a douche in the garden at Down in 1849 to enable him to continue the cold-water treatment that he had begun at Gully’s establishment in Malvern (see Correspondence vol. 4, letter …
To W. D. Fox 15 March [1856]
Summary
Believes WDF’s case of mongrel Scotch deerhound is very valuable for him.
Mentions his work on pigeons and chickens.
Fears sometimes he will break down: "My subject gets bigger and bigger".
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | 15 Mar [1856] |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 97) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1843 |
Matches: 4 hits
- … of pigeons and poultry. See letter to Samuel Birch, [12 March 1856] . The alula is the ‘ …
- … See letter from W. D. Fox, 8 March [1856] , in which Fox related his view that the …
- … Gentleman’s Companion . See letter to W. D. Fox, 8 March [1856] and n. 7. CD’s series of …
- … Peirce Brent (see letter to W. B. Tegetmeier, 20 March [1856] ). The differences in the …
From W. D. Fox 8 March [1856]
Summary
Is trying to procure some cocks for CD.
Believes Scotch deerhounds are mongrels.
| Author: | William Darwin Fox |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 8 Mar [1856] |
| Classmark: | DAR 164: 174 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1646 |
To W. D. Fox 20 October [1856]
Summary
Has taken birds with seeds in crops to Zoological Society and fed them to eagles and owls. Pellets with seeds in perfect condition were "thrown up" in 18 and 16 hours, showing an effective means of distribution.
Asks WDF to write to his nephew in Jamaica to try experiments with floating lizards’ and snakes’ eggs in sea-water, to see if they survive.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | 20 Oct [1856] |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 99) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1978 |
To W. D. Fox 4 June [1856]
Summary
Thanks WDF for specimen of Dorking cock.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | 4 June [1856] |
| Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.130) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1887 |
From W. D. Fox 16 August [1875]
Summary
Discusses deafness in white cats. Every blue-eyed, white cat WDF has known has been deaf.
| Author: | William Darwin Fox |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 16 Aug [1875] |
| Classmark: | DAR 164: 188 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6319 |
Matches: 2 hits
- … fur and eyes in cats in 1856 (see Correspondence vol. 6, letter to W. D. Fox, 8 [June …
- … 1856 and dealing with ‘Variation under domestication’, are not extant, but CD later used much of the material for Variation. He wrote: ‘The Rev. W. Darwin Fox informs me that he has seen more than a dozen instances of this correlation in English, Persian, and Danish cats’ ( Variation 2: 329). See also Variation 2d ed. 2: 322 n. 24, where CD cited Fox’s remarks in this letter. …
To W. D. Fox 4 [September 1863]
Summary
His bad health has caused him to return to Malvern.
Emma cannot find the gravestone of their child, Anne. Asks WDF whether he can remember its location.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | 4 [Sept 1863] |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 140) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-4292 |
To W. D. Fox 28 February [1858]
Summary
WDF’s nephew has forgotten to mention the most important element, whether the lizards’ eggs floated and stayed alive on sea-water.
Thanks for facts about turkeys and terrier [see Natural selection, p. 481 n.].
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | 28 Feb [1858] |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 112) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2229 |
To W. D. Fox 9 March [1863]
Summary
Has quoted WDF on crossing white and slate muscovy ducks [Variation 2: 40]. When not crossed, do these breed true?
Will also quote him on Mr Woodd’s white ewes that produced black lambs by a ram with only black spots [Variation 2: 30].
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | 9 Mar [1863] |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 138) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-4033 |
To W. D. Fox 18 June 1874
Summary
Asks for living plant of Utricularia and information on Pinguicula lusitanica. Gives notes on habitats.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | 18 June 1874 |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 154) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9499 |
To W. D. Fox [30 April 1857]
Summary
His impressions of the hydropathic establishment and E. W. Lane. Is convinced the only thing for "chronic cases" is the water-cure.
Asks if WDF knows of any breed of pig that originated or was modified by a cross with a Chinese or Neapolitan pig, and whether the crossbreed bred true.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | [30 Apr 1857] |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 103) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2085 |
To W. D. Fox 22 February [1857]
Summary
Helix pomatia is quite healthy after 20 days’ submersion in salt water.
On peas, the evidence is on WDF’s side, but CD cannot see how they can avoid being crossed.
He is working hard, wishes he "could set less value on the bauble fame"; would work as hard, but with less gusto, if he knew his book would be published forever anonymously.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | 22 Feb [1857] |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 101–2) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2057 |
To W. D. Fox 6 February [1867]
Summary
Has just sent MS of Variation off to printer. Is in darkness about its merits.
News of family and their health. Riding seems to help him.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | 6 Feb [1867] |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 147) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5392 |
To W. D. Fox 17 December [1857]
Summary
Thanks WDF for his letter about a rabbit breed that he thinks is the Himalaya. He is particularly glad to hear of it because it breeds so true.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | 17 Dec [1857] |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 105) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2187 |
To W. D. Fox 3 January [1856]
Summary
Thanks WDF for his help and reports on progress in "the Cock and Hen line of business". Has written to every quarter of the world for skins of poultry and pigeons.
As for seeds, Hooker and Bentham obstinately refuse to believe they can live even a few years in the ground.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | 3 Jan [1856] |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 86) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1815 |
To W. D. Fox 24 [October 1852]
Summary
News of his health; has been well of late, but cannot stand excitement. Hereditary weakness is another of his bugbears.
At work on cirripedes – "I hate a Barnacle as no man ever did before."
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | 24 [Oct 1852] |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 81) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1489 |
| letter | (24) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (20) |
| Fox, W. D. | (3) |
| Darwin, Emma | (1) |
| Wedgwood, Emma | (1) |
| Fox, W. D. | (21) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (3) |
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: 1 hits
- … On 14 May 1856, Charles Darwin recorded in his journal that he ‘Began by Lyell’s advice writing …
Darwin and Fatherhood
Summary
Charles Darwin married Emma Wedgwood in 1839 and over the next seventeen years the couple had ten children. It is often assumed that Darwin was an exceptional Victorian father. But how extraordinary was he? The Correspondence Project allows an unusually…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Charles Darwin married Emma Wedgwood in 1839 and over the next seventeen years the couple had ten …
Dramatisation script
Summary
Re: Design – Adaptation of the Correspondence of Charles Darwin, Asa Gray and others… by Craig Baxter – as performed 25 March 2007
Matches: 1 hits
- … Re: Design – performance version – 25 March 2007 – 1 Re: Design – Adaptation of the …
Origin
Summary
Darwin’s most famous work, Origin, had an inauspicious beginning. It grew out of his wish to establish priority for the species theory he had spent over twenty years researching. Darwin never intended to write Origin, and had resisted suggestions in 1856…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Darwin’s most famous work, Origin, had an inauspicious beginning. It grew out of his wish to …
Six things Darwin never said – and one he did
Summary
Spot the fakes! Darwin is often quoted – and as often misquoted. Here are some sayings regularly attributed to Darwin that never flowed from his pen.
Matches: 1 hits
- … Spot the fakes! Darwin is often quoted – and as often misquoted. Here are some sayings regularly …
Dates of composition of Darwin's manuscript on species
Summary
Many of the dates of letters in 1856 and 1857 were based on or confirmed by reference to Darwin’s manuscript on species (DAR 8--15.1, inclusive; transcribed and published as Natural selection). This manuscript, begun in May 1856, was nearly completed by…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Many of the dates of letters in 1856 and 1857 were based on or confirmed by reference to Darwin’s …
Women’s scientific participation
Summary
Observers | Fieldwork | Experimentation | Editors and critics | Assistants Darwin’s correspondence helps bring to light a community of women who participated, often actively and routinely, in the nineteenth-century scientific community. Here is a…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Observers | Fieldwork | Experimentation | Editors and critics | Assistants …
Descent
Summary
There are more than five hundred letters associated with the research and writing of Darwin’s book, Descent of man and selection in relation to sex (Descent). They trace not only the tortuous route to eventual publication, but the development of Darwin’s…
Matches: 1 hits
- … ‘ Our ancestor was an animal which breathed water, had a swim-bladder, a great swimming …
Species and varieties
Summary
On the origin of species by means of natural selection …so begins the title of Darwin’s most famous book, and the reader would rightly assume that such a thing as ‘species’ must therefore exist and be subject to description. But the title continues, …or…
Matches: 1 hits
- … On the origin of species by means of natural selection …so begins the title of Darwin’s most …
Darwin’s reading notebooks
Summary
In April 1838, Darwin began recording the titles of books he had read and the books he wished to read in Notebook C (Notebooks, pp. 319–28). In 1839, these lists were copied and continued in separate notebooks. The first of these reading notebooks (DAR 119…
Matches: 1 hits
- … In April 1838, Darwin began recording the titles of books he had read and the books he wished to …
Darwin in letters, 1882: Nothing too great or too small
Summary
In 1882, Darwin reached his 74th year Earthworms had been published the previous October, and for the first time in decades he was not working on another book. He remained active in botanical research, however. Building on his recent studies in plant…
Matches: 1 hits
- … In 1882, Darwin reached his 74th year Earthworms had been published the previous October, and …
Before Origin: the ‘big book’
Summary
Darwin began ‘sorting notes for Species Theory’ on 9 September 1854, the very day he concluded his eight-year study of barnacles (Darwin's Journal). He had long considered the question of species. In 1842, he outlined a theory of transmutation in a…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Darwin began ‘sorting notes for Species Theory’ on 9 September 1854, the very day he concluded his …
Scientific Networks
Summary
Friendship|Mentors|Class|Gender In its broadest sense, a scientific network is a set of connections between people, places, and things that channel the communication of knowledge, and that substantially determine both its intellectual form and content,…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Friendship | Mentors | Class | Gender In its broadest sense, a scientific …
Thomas Henry Huxley
Summary
Dubbed “Darwin’s bulldog” for his combative role in controversies over evolution, Huxley was a leading Victorian zoologist, science popularizer, and education reformer. He was born in Ealing, a small village west of London, in 1825. With only two years of…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Dubbed “Darwin’s bulldog” for his combative role in controversies over evolution, Huxley was a …
Darwin in letters, 1863: Quarrels at home, honours abroad
Summary
At the start of 1863, Charles Darwin was actively working on the manuscript of The variation of animals and plants under domestication, anticipating with excitement the construction of a hothouse to accommodate his increasingly varied botanical experiments…
Matches: 1 hits
- … At the start of 1863, Charles Darwin was actively working on the manuscript of The variation of …
Darwin in letters, 1872: Job done?
Summary
'My career’, Darwin wrote towards the end of 1872, 'is so nearly closed. . . What little more I can do, shall be chiefly new work’, and the tenor of his correspondence throughout the year is one of wistful reminiscence, coupled with a keen eye…
Matches: 1 hits
- … ‘My career’, Darwin wrote towards the end of 1872, ‘is so nearly closed. . . What little more I …
4.16 Joseph Simms, physiognomy
Summary
< Back to Introduction In September 1874, the American doctor Joseph Simms, then on a three-year lecture tour of Britain, sent Darwin a copy of his book, Nature’s Revelations of Character; Or, Physiognomy Illustrated. He was seeking a public…
Matches: 1 hits
- … < Back to Introduction In September 1874, the American doctor Joseph Simms, then on a …
Language: key letters
Summary
How and why language evolved bears on larger questions about the evolution of the human species, and the relationship between man and animals. Darwin presented his views on the development of human speech from animal sounds in The Descent of Man (1871),…
Matches: 1 hits
- … The origin of language was investigated in a wide range of disciplines in the nineteenth century. …
Hermann Müller
Summary
Hermann (Heinrich Ludwig Hermann) Müller, was born in Mühlberg near Erfurt in 1829. He was the younger brother of Fritz Müller (1822–97). Following the completion of his secondary education at Erfurt in 1848, he studied natural sciences at Halle and Berlin…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Hermann (Heinrich Ludwig Hermann) Müller, was born in Mühlberg near Erfurt in 1829. He was the …
Darwin in letters, 1858-1859: Origin
Summary
The years 1858 and 1859 were, without doubt, the most momentous of Darwin’s life. From a quiet rural existence filled with steady work on his ‘big book’ on species, he was jolted into action by the arrival of an unexpected letter from Alfred Russel Wallace…
Matches: 1 hits
- … The years 1858 and 1859 were, without doubt, the most momentous of Darwin’s life. From a quiet …
