From John Murray 27 May [1868]
Summary
Will be glad to see Miss Wedgwood’s MS on Wesley.
The clichés of Fritz Müller’s work [Für Darwin] have arrived.
| Author: | John Murray |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 27 May [1868] |
| Classmark: | DAR 171: 359 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6212 |
Matches: 12 hits
- … From John Murray 27 May [1868] …
- … DAR 171: 359 John Murray London, Albemarle St, 50a 27 May [1868] Charles Robert Darwin …
- … F. Müller 1864; Dallas trans. 1869). See letter to John Murray, 25 May 1868 and n. 3. …
- … Murray, John (b) Darwin, C. R. …
- … I am My Dear Sir | Yours very faithfully | John Murray Chas Darwin Esq 0.3 My … her— 1.2] …
- … for life. By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1859. Variation : The variation of …
- … by the relationship between this letter and the letter to John Murray, 25 May 1868 . …
- … See letter to John Murray, 25 May 1868 and n. 1. …
- … and King 1866; see letter to John Murray, 25 May 1868 and n. 3. CD’s instructions …
- … missing letter to Murray (see letter to John Murray, 25 May 1868 and n. 2). Canestrini’s …
- … and plants under domestication. By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1868. …
- … refers to Frances Julia Wedgwood and John Wesley. Murray refers to William Ross King …
From John Murray 22 September [1868]
Summary
Lost copy of Variation sent to B. D. Walsh has been traced as far as New York.
| Author: | John Murray |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 22 Sept [1868] |
| Classmark: | DAR 171: 361 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6385 |
Matches: 8 hits
- … From John Murray 22 September [1868] …
- … DAR 171: 361 John Murray London, Albemarle St, 50a 22 Sept [1868] Charles Robert Darwin …
- … Murray, John (b) Darwin, C. R. …
- … and plants under domestication. By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1868. …
- … between this letter and the letter from John Murray, 18 September [1868] . Murray …
- … to Benjamin Dann Walsh and Variation (see letter to John Murray, 16 September [1868] , …
- … and letter from John Murray, 18 September [1868] ). The enclosure has not been found. …
- … I will not rest until it reaches him Yours very faithfully | John Murray Chas Darwin Esq …
To John Murray 4 March [1868]
Summary
Payment of 400 guineas [Variation royalties] delights CD.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 4 Mar [1868] |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42153 f. 36) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5978 |
Matches: 6 hits
- … To John Murray 4 March [1868] …
- … Darwin, C. R. Murray, John (b) …
- … National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42153 f. 36) Charles …
- … Robert Darwin London, Queen Anne St, 6 4 Mar [1868] John Murray …
- … by the relationship between this letter and the letter from John Murray, 3 March [1868] . …
- … See letter from John Murray, 3 March [1868] . CD refers to Descent. …
To John Murray 6 March 1868
Summary
Acknowledges receipt of bill for £420.
Will try to attend Athenaeum meeting to help elect Clowes’s son.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 6 Mar 1868 |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42153 ff. 37–38) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5989 |
Matches: 6 hits
- … To John Murray 6 March 1868 …
- … Darwin, C. R. Murray, John (b) …
- … National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42153 ff. 37–38) …
- … Charles Robert Darwin London, Queen Anne St, 6 6 Mar 1868 John Murray …
- … printing of Variation. See letter from John Murray, 3 March [1868] and n. 2. Murray had …
- … a member of the Athenaeum Club (see letter from John Murray, 6 March [1868] and n. 3). …
From John Murray 6 March [1868]
Summary
JM sends note for £420.
Asks CD to use his good offices on behalf of William Clowes’s son who is up for election to Athenaeum.
| Author: | John Murray |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 6 Mar [1868] |
| Classmark: | DAR 171: 358 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5988 |
Matches: 6 hits
- … From John Murray 6 March [1868] …
- … he is not undeserving— My Dear Sir | Yours very faithfully | John Murray Chas Darwin Esq …
- … DAR 171: 358 John Murray London, Albemarle St, 50a 6 Mar [1868] Charles Robert Darwin …
- … Murray, John (b) Darwin, C. R. …
- … by the relationship between this letter and the letter to John Murray, 6 March 1868 . …
- … See letter from John Murray, 3 March [1868] and n. 2. Murray refers to William Charles …
To John Murray 25 February [1868]
Summary
Thanks JM for presentation copies [of Variation]. Sends directions and list.
Has been told positively that hostile review in Athenæum was by Berthold Seemann, to whom he once refused a testimonial.
On the whole, reviews have been very good.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 25 Feb [1868] |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff. 182–183) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5931 |
Matches: 9 hits
- … To John Murray 25 February [1868] …
- … Darwin, C. R. Murray, John (b) …
- … National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff. …
- … 182–183) Charles Robert Darwin Down 25 Feb [1868] John Murray …
- … and plants under domestication. By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1868. …
- … the second printing of Variation. See letter from John Murray, 24 February [1868] . Robert …
- … Swinhoe. See letter from John Murray, 24 February [1868] and n. 3. CD refers to the …
- … was by John Edward Gray (see letter from John Murray, 24 February [1868] and n. 4). See …
- … in the Athenæum was by John Robertson ([Robertson] 1868a). Murray had thought the Athenæum …
To John Murray 9 February [1868]
Summary
Heartily glad for JM’s sake at sale [of Variation]. Thinks JM right to publish a smaller second edition, for "the public will soon find out that it is dull" – though scientifically valuable. The index is excellent. CD is "always greedy" for presentation copies.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 9 Feb [1868] |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff. 180–181) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5854 |
Matches: 8 hits
- … To John Murray 9 February [1868] …
- … Darwin, C. R. Murray, John (b) …
- … National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff. …
- … 180–181) Charles Robert Darwin Down 9 Feb [1868] John Murray …
- … £176. —’. George Howard Darwin. See letter from John Murray, 6 February [1868] and n. 6. …
- … and plants under domestication. By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1868. …
- … CD refers to Variation. See letter from John Murray, 6 February [1868] . …
- … See letter from John Murray, 6 February [1868] and n. 3. William Clowes & Sons were the …
From John Murray 18 September [1868]
Summary
JM will send another copy of Variation to B. D. Walsh.
| Author: | John Murray |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 18 Sept [1868] |
| Classmark: | DAR 171: 360 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6376 |
Matches: 9 hits
- … From John Murray 18 September [1868] …
- … DAR 171: 360 John Murray London, Albemarle St, 50a 18 Sept [1868] Charles Robert Darwin …
- … Murray, John (b) Darwin, C. R. …
- … Walsh lived in Rock Island, Illinois (see letter to John Murray, 16 September [1868] ). …
- … the shoulders of Your faithful serv t | John Murray On referring to your letter there is …
- … between this letter and the letter to John Murray, 16 September [1868] . CD had told …
- … January that he had asked his publisher, John Murray, to send a copy of Variation through …
- … London directory 1866). See letter to John Murray, 16 September [1868] . Sampson Low was …
- … and plants under domestication. By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1868. …
From John Murray 12 February [1868]
Summary
CD’s letter encourages Murray to proceed with a new edition of Variation; corrections will cost £176.
First notice has appeared in Pall Mall Gazette [7 (1868): 555].
| Author: | John Murray |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 12 Feb [1868] |
| Classmark: | DAR 171 : 355 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5869 |
Matches: 8 hits
- … From John Murray 12 February [1868] …
- … DAR 171 : 355 John Murray London, Albemarle St, 50a 12 Feb [1868] Charles Robert Darwin …
- … Murray, John (b) Darwin, C. R. …
- … eager for it I remain My Dear Sir | Yours very faithfully | John Murray Chas Darwin Esq …
- … and plants under domestication. By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1868. …
- … by the relationship between this letter and the letter to John Murray, 9 February [1868] . …
- … See letter to John Murray, 9 February [1868] . For CD’s presentation list for the second …
- … vol. 16, Appendix IV. See letter to John Murray, 9 February [1868] and n. 5. William …
From John Murray 3 March [1868]
Summary
JM offers a note for 400 guineas as author’s payment on sale of 1250 copies of 2d issue of Variation.
| Author: | John Murray |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 3 Mar [1868] |
| Classmark: | DAR 171: 357 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5972 |
Matches: 7 hits
- … From John Murray 3 March [1868] …
- … DAR 171: 357 John Murray London, Albemarle St, 50a 3 Mar [1868] Charles Robert Darwin …
- … Murray, John (b) Darwin, C. R. …
- … and plants under domestication. By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1868. …
- … to this I remain My Dear Sir | Yours very faithfully | John Murray Charles Darwin Esq …
- … between this letter and the letter from John Murray, 24 February [1868] . Murray refers to …
- … sold within a month (see letter from John Murray, 6 February [1868] ). Although the title …
From John Murray 24 February [1868]
Summary
Second issue [of Variation] is ready.
Murray thinks that the Athenæum review was written by J. E. Gray [see 5931].
| Author: | John Murray |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 24 Feb [1868] |
| Classmark: | DAR 171: 356 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5923 |
Matches: 8 hits
- … From John Murray 24 February [1868] …
- … DAR 171: 356 John Murray London, Albemarle St, 50a 24 Feb [1868] Charles Robert Darwin …
- … Murray, John (b) Darwin, C. R. …
- … informed— I remain | My Dear Sir | Yours very faithfully | John Murray Chas Darwin Esq …
- … and plants under domestication. By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1868. …
- … with a few additions and corrections (see letter to John Murray, 9 February [1868] , …
- … and letter from John Murray, 12 February [1868] ). For CD’s presentation list for the …
- … in the Athenæum ([Robertson] 1868a). Murray refers to John Edward Gray. See letter to J. …
To John Murray 16 September [1868]
Summary
B. D. Walsh has not received his copy of Variation. Several other foreign correspondents have similar complaints.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 16 Sept [1868] |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff.190–191) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6369 |
Matches: 7 hits
- … To John Murray 16 September [1868] …
- … National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff.190–191) Charles …
- … Robert Darwin Down 16 Sept [1868] John Murray …
- … Darwin, C. R. Murray, John (b) …
- … for life. By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1859. Variation : The variation of …
- … ordered him a copy from his publisher (John Murray). Variation was published 30 January …
- … and plants under domestication. By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1868. …
To John Murray 14 April [1868]
Summary
About the advertising and title of a book [the translation of Fritz Müller’s Für Darwin, see 6114].
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 14 Apr [1868] |
| Classmark: | RR Auction (dealers) (June 2006) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6119A |
Matches: 5 hits
- … To John Murray 14 April [1868] …
- … RR Auction (dealers) (June 2006) Charles Robert Darwin 14 Apr [1868] John Murray …
- … Darwin, C. R. Murray, John (b) …
- … between this letter and the letter to John Murray, 13 April [1868] . The reference is to …
- … W. S. Dallas trans. 1869 (see letter to John Murray, 13 April [1868] and n. 3). …
From John Murray 6 February [1868]
Summary
Advance sale of Variation has exhausted the 1500 copies printed. Murray sends note for £300 author’s payment. Wants to print 1250 more immediately.
| Author: | John Murray |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 6 Feb [1868] |
| Classmark: | DAR 171: 354 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5844 |
Matches: 9 hits
- … From John Murray 6 February [1868] …
- … DAR 171: 354 John Murray London, Albemarle St, 50 6 Feb [1868] Charles Robert Darwin …
- … Murray, John (b) Darwin, C. R. …
- … My Dear Sir | Yours very faithfully | John Murray M ess Clowes promise me to get the book …
- … see Correspondence vol. 13, letter to John Murray, 31 March [1865] , n. 2). CD had been …
- … for life. By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1859. Variation : The variation of …
- … and plants under domestication. By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1868. …
- … Correspondence vol. 14, letters from John Murray, 21 February [1866] and 24 February [ …
- … see Correspondence vol. 15, letter from John Murray, 28 January [ 1867] ). CD entered the …
From John Murray 10 January [1868]
Summary
CD’s anxiety about the index [of Variation] will be relieved somewhat when he learns it has at last been set up.
| Author: | John Murray |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 10 Jan [1868] |
| Classmark: | DAR 171: 353 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5782 |
Matches: 5 hits
- … From John Murray 10 January [1868] …
- … DAR 171: 353 John Murray London, Albemarle St, 50a 10 Jan [1868] Charles Robert Darwin …
- … Murray, John (b) Darwin, C. R. …
- … Dallas, 8 January 1868. See letter to John Murray, 9 January [1868] and nn. 2 and 3. The …
- … glad to get it out My Dear Sir | yours very faithfully | John Murray Chas Darwin Esq r …
To John Murray 13 April [1868]
Summary
Asks JM to send Variation to G. Boccardo in Italy.
Sends title (suggested by Lyell) for translation of Fritz Müller’s Für Darwin (which Dallas is translating). CD does not wish to go to great expense in advertising it.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 13 Apr [1868] |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff. 184–185) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6114 |
Matches: 5 hits
To John Murray 9 January [1868]
Summary
CD exasperated by Dallas’ delay in finishing index [for Variation]. "I am prepared to throw the Index overboard."
Thinks JM should reconsider publishing a translation of Brehm’s Thierleben. It is excellent and would "sell largely".
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 9 Jan [1868] |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff. 178–179) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5781 |
Matches: 6 hits
- … To John Murray 9 January [1868] …
- … National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff. …
- … 178–179) Charles Robert Darwin Down 9 Jan [1868] John Murray …
- … Darwin, C. R. Murray, John (b) …
- … sex. By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1871. Marginalia : Charles Darwin’s …
- … and plants under domestication. By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1868. …
To John Murray 25 May 1868
Summary
Asks JM to consider publishing a MS on John Wesley by CD’s niece, Frances Julia Wedgwood [John Wesley and the evangelical reaction of the eighteenth century (1870)].
Has received clean sheets for Italian translation [of Variation?].
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 25 May 1868 |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff.186–189) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6207 |
Matches: 6 hits
- … To John Murray 25 May 1868 …
- … National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff.186–189) Charles …
- … Robert Darwin Down 25 May 1868 John Murray …
- … Darwin, C. R. Murray, John (b) …
- … By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1868. Wedgwood, Frances Julia. 1870. John …
- … John Wesley and the evangelical reaction of the eighteenth century , was published by Macmillan & Co in 1870 ( F. J. Wedgwood 1870 ). CD had received a request for translation rights for an Italian translation of Variation (see letter from Giovanni Canestrini, 14 May 1868 ). For the other foreign editions, see the letter to J. D. Hooker, 21 May [1868] , n. 12. CD’s last letter to Murray …
To John Murray [25? March 1868]
Summary
American publishers will not wait for woodcuts, so asks Murray to have a copy of the reprint sent to Asa Gray. Will call soon to talk about Für Darwin and to hear about sale of latest edition of Origin
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | [25? Mar 1868] |
| Classmark: | Bonhams (dealers) (10 November 2009); PBA Galleries (10 May 2012) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6050F |
Matches: 5 hits
- … To John Murray [25? March 1868] …
- … 2009); PBA Galleries (10 May 2012) Charles Robert Darwin London [25? Mar 1868] John Murray …
- … Darwin, C. R. Murray, John (b) …
- … see Correspondence vol. 16, letter to John Murray, 13 April [1868] ). The fourth edition …
- … 1868 ). Variation had been published by John Murray on 30 January 1868 (Freeman 1977), and …
To Robert McLachlan 25 February [1868]
Summary
Is obliged for the facts about the hybrids [see 5910], which permit him to reject the view of B. D. Walsh (and H. W. Bates?) that organs play an important part in keeping incipient species distinct.
He has asked John Murray to send RM a copy of Variation.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Robert McLachlan |
| Date: | 25 Feb [1868] |
| Classmark: | Smithsonian Libraries (Dibner Library of the History of Science and Technology) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5934B |
Matches: 4 hits
- … incipient species distinct. He has asked John Murray to send RM a copy of Variation . …
- … By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1871. Variation : The variation of animals …
- … and plants under domestication. By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1868. …
- … see Correspondence vol. 16, Appendix IV). CD refers to his publisher, John Murray. …
| letter | (472) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (175) |
| Weir, J. J. | (16) |
| Blyth, Edward | (15) |
| Hooker, J. D. | (12) |
| Dallas, W. S. | (11) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (284) |
| Hooker, J. D. | (17) |
| Weir, J. J. | (12) |
| Murray, John (b) | (10) |
| Wallace, A. R. | (10) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (459) |
| Hooker, J. D. | (29) |
| Weir, J. J. | (28) |
| Wallace, A. R. | (20) |
| Murray, John (b) | (19) |
John Murray
Summary
Darwin's most famous book On the origin of species by means of natural selection (Origin) was published on 22 November 1859. The publisher was John Murray, who specialised in non-fiction, particularly politics, travel and science, and had published…
Matches: 11 hits
- … was published on 22 November 1859. The publisher was John Murray, who specialised in non-fiction, …
- … his name and in 1768 acquired a publishing house. The third John Murray, who followed his father as …
- … house; the seventh sold the business in 2002. The John Murray Archive was acquired by the …
- … University Library a similar number of letters from John Murray and Robert Cooke, his cousin and …
- … had proved to be a scientific best-seller for the second John Murray, to open negotiations with his …
- … began the business relationship between Charles Darwin and John Murray. Darwin’s next …
- … . Again he asked Lyell to act as his intermediary with John Murray ( Letter 2437 ), who, without …
- … had paid Darwin profits of nearly £3000. The third John Murray made a successful business …
- … ). Darwin’s next publishing project with John Murray in 1869 was a translation into English …
- … in the Quarterly Review , a magazine published by John Murray.The pamphlets were not primarily …
- … his orders ( Letter 8616 ). However, when Robert Cooke, John Murray’s cousin, went round to …
List of correspondents
Summary
Below is a list of Darwin's correspondents with the number of letters for each one. Click on a name to see the letters Darwin exchanged with that correspondent. "A child of God" (1) Abberley,…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Job, R. A. (1) John Murray (181) …
Darwin in letters, 1865: Delays and disappointments
Summary
The year was marked by three deaths of personal significance to Darwin: Hugh Falconer, a friend and supporter; Robert FitzRoy, captain of the Beagle; and William Jackson Hooker, director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and father of Darwin’s friend…
Matches: 4 hits
- … Variation . In March Darwin wrote to his publisher, John Murray, ‘Of present book I have 7 …
- … forward, except the last & concluding one’ ( letter to John Murray, 31 March [1865] ). In …
- … will be ready for the press in the autumn’ ( letter to John Murray, 4 April [1865] ). In early …
- … ‘I am never idle when I can do anything’ ( letter to John Murray, 2 June [1865] ). It was not …
Darwin in letters, 1867: A civilised dispute
Summary
Charles Darwin’s major achievement in 1867 was the completion of his large work, The variation of animals and plants under domestication (Variation). The importance of Darwin’s network of correspondents becomes vividly apparent in his work on expression in…
Matches: 4 hits
- … of the size of the two-volume work from his publisher, John Murray, he wrote to Murray on 3 …
- … is as good as praise for selling a Book’ ( letter to John Murray, 31 January [1867] ). A …
- … to translate Variation . Indeed, he told his publisher, John Murray, in a letter of 4 April …
- … time it took William Sweetland Dallas to prepare the index. John Murray had engaged Dallas and …
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: 4 hits
- … to spread my views’, he wrote to his publisher, John Murray, on 30 January , shortly after …
- … photographic plates with his overseas publishers, and with John Murray’s assistant, the excitable …
- … of the booksellers, encouraged an originally cautious John Murray to gamble on the book’s success: & …
- … attractive dishes in his `Literary Banquet’ (letters from John Murray, 6 November [1872] and 9 …
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: 5 hits
- … of anonymous reviews. Its proprietor was none other than John Murray, Darwin’s publisher. So …
- … to review me in a hostile spirit’ ( letter to John Murray, 11 August 1874 ). Darwin was …
- … number of the Review & in the same type’ ( letter from John Murray, 12 August 1874 ). George …
- … from E. A. Darwin, 17 [March 1874] ). He tried to persuade John Murray to publish a second edition …
- … authority on marriage customs in Descent ( see letter John Murray, 9 May [1874] ). He …
Rewriting Origin - the later editions
Summary
For such an iconic work, the text of Origin was far from static. It was a living thing that Darwin continued to shape for the rest of his life, refining his ‘one long argument’ through a further five English editions. Many of his changes were made in…
Matches: 1 hits
- … a larger target audience were also made. Darwin persuaded John Murray to include a glossary of …
Women as a scientific audience
Summary
Target audience? | Female readership | Reading Variation Darwin's letters, in particular those exchanged with his editors and publisher, reveal a lot about his intended audience. Regardless of whether or not women were deliberately targeted as a…
Matches: 1 hits
- … chapters of Origin of Species to his publisher, John Murray. He hopes that his views are …
Darwin in letters, 1871: An emptying nest
Summary
The year 1871 was an extremely busy and productive one for Darwin, with the publication in February of his long-awaited book on human evolution, Descent of man. The other main preoccupation of the year was the preparation of his manuscript on expression.…
Matches: 2 hits
- … ‘a windbag full of metaphysics & classics’ ( letter to John Murray, 13 April [1871] ). …
- … he suspected that very few would actually sell (letters to John Murray, 17 August [1871] and …
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
- … In late March, Lyell had a word with his own publisher, John Murray, who had already published …
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: 4 hits
- … Lyell, 28 March [1859] ). Lyell suggested the firm of John Murray, publishers of the second edition …
- … letter from Elwin to Murray, 3 May 1859 , and letter to John Murray, 6 May [1859] ). The …
- … (letters to Charles Lyell, 28 March [1859] , and to John Murray, 10 September [1859] ), but …
- … would change their minds without good cause.’ ( letter to John Murray, 2 December [1859] ). …
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: 2 hits
- … buy it. When he submitted the manuscript to his publisher, John Murray, he boasted: ‘I can say with …
- … in the least , whether the Book will sell’ ( letter to John Murray, 9 [February 1862] ). To his …
St George Jackson Mivart
Summary
In the second half of 1874, Darwin’s peace was disturbed by an anonymous article in the Quarterly Review suggesting that his son George was opposed to the institution of marriage and in favour of ‘unrestrained licentiousness’. Darwin suspected, correctly,…
Matches: 3 hits
- … also wondering whether he should break off relations with John Murray, his own publisher and also …
- … courteous response, agreeing to all he asked ( letter from John Murray, 12 August 1874 ). …
- … having been used in a Pickwickian sense’ ( letter to John Murray, 18 October 1874 ). In other …
Darwin in letters, 1868: Studying sex
Summary
The quantity of Darwin’s correspondence increased dramatically in 1868 due largely to his ever-widening research on human evolution and sexual selection.Darwin’s theory of sexual selection as applied to human descent led him to investigate aspects of the…
Matches: 3 hits
- … domestication . Having been advertised by the publisher John Murray as early as 1865, the two …
- … in the British Museum, agreed about the authorship. John Murray thought it was by Gray himself, but …
- … me in the face, but not behind my back’ ( letter to John Murray, 25 February [1868] ). Wallace …
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: 2 hits
- … .’ Hooker also directed some of his anger toward John Murray, the publisher of the …
- … to pay the costs for printing an additional 250 ( letter to John Murray, 3 May 1875 ). In …
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 …
John Lort Stokes
Summary
John Lort Stokes, naval officer, was Charles Darwin’s cabinmate on the Beagle voyage – not always an enviable position. After Darwin’s death, Stokes penned a description of their evenings spent working at the large table at the centre, Stokes at his…
Matches: 1 hits
- … John Lort Stokes, naval officer, was Charles Darwin’s cabinmate on the Beagle voyage – not …
Darwin in letters,1866: Survival of the fittest
Summary
The year 1866 began well for Charles Darwin, as his health, after several years of illness, was now considerably improved. In February, Darwin received a request from his publisher, John Murray, for a new edition of Origin. Darwin got the fourth…
Matches: 4 hits
- … In February, Darwin received a request from his publisher, John Murray, for a new edition of On …
- … On 21 February Darwin received notification from John Murray that stocks of the third edition of …
- … out, ‘business would be totally paralysed’. Similarly, John Murray gave as a reason for his decision …
- … ‘gaieties travelling & War Bulletins’ ( letter from John Murray, 18 July 1866 ). I …
John Maurice Herbert
Summary
John Maurice Herbert was a close friend of Darwin’s at Cambridge University. He was affectionately called ‘Cherbury’ by Darwin, a reference to the seventeenth-century philosopher Edward Herbert, Baron Cherbury, who, like John Herbert, hailed from…
Matches: 1 hits
- … chapter. Edited by Francis Darwin. 3 vols. London: John Murray. 1887–8. …
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: 1 hits
- … “for Heaven knows when it will be ready” ( letter to John Murray, 4 May [1873] ). Keeping …
