To John Murray 23 February 1871
Summary
Receipt for payment by John Murray of £630 for the first edition, consisting of 2500 copies, of Descent.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 23 Feb 1871 |
| Classmark: | DAR 249: 105 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-7509A |
Matches: 6 hits
- … To John Murray 23 February 1871 …
- … DAR 249: 105 Charles Robert Darwin London, Albemarle St, 50a 23 Feb 1871 John Murray …
- … See also letter from John Murray, 23 February 1871 and nn. 2 and 3. …
- … Darwin, C. R. Murray, John (b) …
- … Receipt for payment by John Murray of £630 for the first edition, consisting of 2500 …
- … Street Feby 23. 1871 Received of Mr John Murray the Sum of Six Hundred and thirty pounds …
From John Murray 26 May [1871]
Summary
Sends two bills [JM’s notes for payments due to CD] for £420 each for 3d issue of Descent.
| Author: | John Murray |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 26 May [1871] |
| Classmark: | DAR 171: 399 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-7769 |
Matches: 8 hits
- … From John Murray 26 May [1871] …
- … DAR 171: 399 John Murray London, Albemarle St, 50 26 May [1871] Charles Robert Darwin …
- … Murray, John (b) Darwin, C. R. …
- … and selection in relation to sex. By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1871. …
- … between this letter and the letter to John Murray, 12 March [1871]. Murray was mistaken. …
- … be sent to Southampton or to Down (see letter to John Murray, 12 May [1871] ). Murray’s …
- … payment was for the third printing of Descent (see letter from John Murray, 10 May 1871 ). …
- … remain My Dear Sir | Yours very faithfully | John Murray Chas Darwin Esq Down | Beckenham …
From John Murray 20 March [1871]
Summary
Demand [for Descent] is such that JM thinks he will have to print 1000 more copies. Does not want to trouble CD for corrections.
| Author: | John Murray |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 20 Mar [1871] |
| Classmark: | DAR 171: 393 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-7604 |
Matches: 8 hits
- … From John Murray 20 March [1871] …
- … DAR 171: 393 John Murray London, Albemarle St, 50 20 Mar [1871] Charles Robert Darwin …
- … Murray, John (b) Darwin, C. R. …
- … But wish you to have notice—beforehand Yours very faithfully | John Murray Ch Darwin Esq …
- … sex. By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1871. Freeman, Richard Broke. 1977. …
- … between this letter and the letter from John Murray, 18 March [1871] . Murray refers to …
- … printing of 2000 copies (see letter from John Murray, 18 March [1871] ). A third printing …
- … copies appeared in April 1871 ( Freeman 1977 ; letter from John Murray, 10 May 1871 ). …
To John Murray 3 June [1871]
Summary
Is disappointed at high price, 7s 6d, being considered for the cheap edition of the Origin [6th ed.]. Has been told that, in Lancashire, workmen club together to buy the Origin.
Little chance that Expression will be done this autumn.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 3 June [1871] |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms. 42152 ff. 246–7) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-7798 |
Matches: 12 hits
- … To John Murray 3 June [1871] …
- … Darwin, C. R. Murray, John (b) …
- … National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms. 42152 ff. …
- … 246–7) Charles Robert Darwin Down 3 June [1871] John Murray …
- … and animals. By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1872. Freeman, Richard Broke. 1977. …
- … between this letter and the letter from John Murray, 31 May [1871] . CD refers to …
- … Robert Francis Cooke. See letter from John Murray, 31 May [1871] and n. …
- … 2. See letter from John Murray, 31 May [1871] and n. 4. No correspondence has been found …
- … corrections. By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1869. Origin 6th ed. : The origin of …
- … and corrections. By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1872. Origin : On the origin of …
- … of favoured races in the struggle for life. By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1859. …
- … ed. William Clowes & Sons were printers to John Murray. CD refers to a substantially new …
To John Murray 22 March [1871]
Summary
Has this day sent off corrections for new issue [of Descent]. Asks whether title-page may read "Sixth Thousand".
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 22 Mar [1871] |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms. 42153 ff. 58–9) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-7610 |
Matches: 9 hits
- … To John Murray 22 March [1871] …
- … Darwin, C. R. Murray, John (b) …
- … National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms. 42153 ff. …
- … 58–9) Charles Robert Darwin Down 22 Mar [1871] John Murray …
- … sex. By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1871. Freeman, Richard Broke. 1977. …
- … by the relationship between this letter and the letter to John Murray, 21 March 1871 . …
- … See letter to John Murray, 21 March 1871 and n. …
- … 2. See letter from John Murray, 20 March [1871] . The title page of …
- … see Freeman 1977 ; see also letter from John Murray, 22 March 1871 ). CD’s letter to the …
To John Murray 21 March 1871
Summary
Is astonished at sale [of Descent]. Will make no additions, but must correct a few misprints and errors [for third issue].
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 21 Mar 1871 |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms. 42152 f. 252) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-7608 |
Matches: 7 hits
- … To John Murray 21 March 1871 …
- … Darwin, C. R. Murray, John (b) …
- … National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms. 42152 f. …
- … 252) Charles Robert Darwin Down 21 Mar 1871 John Murray …
- … and selection in relation to sex. By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1871. …
- … CD refers to Descent ; see letter from John Murray, 20 March [1871] . For more on the …
- … 1871 and n. 2. CD refers to the firm William Clowes & Sons, John Murray’s printers. …
From John Murray 9 March [1871]
Summary
JM will print 2000 more copies of Descent as a second edition [issue]. Profits should be large as expenses are small.
| Author: | John Murray |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 9 Mar [1871] |
| Classmark: | DAR 171: 391 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-7559 |
Matches: 10 hits
- … From John Murray 9 March [1871] …
- … DAR 171: 391 John Murray London, Albemarle St, 50 9 Mar [1871] Charles Robert Darwin …
- … Murray, John (b) Darwin, C. R. …
- … and selection in relation to sex. By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1871. …
- … following 9 March was 15 March. See letter to John Murray, 8 March [1871] and n. 3. CD’ …
- … s annotation is a draft of his reply to Murray. See letter to John Murray, 13 March 1871 . …
- … My Dear Sir | Yours very faithfully | John Murray Chas Darwin Esq r 3.1 You shall … as …
- … by the relationship between this letter and the letter to John Murray, 8 March [1871] . …
- … See letter to John Murray, 8 March [1871] . χρύσεα χαλκείων, εκατομβοι’ εννεαβοίων: gold …
- … printing of Descent . See letter to John Murray, 8 March [1871] . In 1871, the Wednesday …
To John Murray 27 May [1871]
Summary
Asks JM for final decision about a cheap edition of Origin. Would like to begin soon to revise and answer recent objections.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 27 May [1871] |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms. 42152 ff. 287–8) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-7772 |
Matches: 9 hits
- … To John Murray 27 May [1871] …
- … Darwin, C. R. Murray, John (b) …
- … National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms. 42152 ff. …
- … 287–8) Charles Robert Darwin Down 27 May [1871] John Murray …
- … sex. By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1871. Freeman, Richard Broke. 1977. …
- … by the relationship between this letter and the letter from John Murray, 26 May [1871] . …
- … Letter from John Murray, 26 May [1871] . CD refers to …
- … Origin 6th ed. See letter to John Murray, 12 May [1871] . CD refers to Expression. CD …
- … 6th edition, with additions and corrections. By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1872. …
To John Murray 12 May [1871]
Summary
Will require at least six weeks’ notice before a new edition of Descent has to go to press because of considerable corrections needed.
Thinks cheap edition of Origin is needed, since he could answer objections in it.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 12 May [1871] |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms. 42152 ff. 244–5) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-7755 |
Matches: 7 hits
- … To John Murray 12 May [1871] …
- … editor of Vanity Fair , Thomas Gibson Bowles. See letter from John Murray, 10 May 1871 . …
- … Darwin, C. R. Murray, John (b) …
- … National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms. 42152 ff. …
- … 244–5) Charles Robert Darwin Bassett 12 May [1871] John Murray …
- … between this letter and the letter from John Murray, 10 May 1871 . The bills were Murray’s …
- … printing of Descent. See letter from John Murray, 10 May 1871 . The Darwins were visiting …
From John Murray 22 March 1871
Summary
Completes payment for 2d issue [of Descent]; has sold 1300 of the 2000 copies printed. Will probably print 2000 more for 3d issue.
| Author: | John Murray |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 22 Mar 1871 |
| Classmark: | DAR 171: 394 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-7611 |
Matches: 7 hits
- … From John Murray 22 March 1871 …
- … DAR 171: 394 John Murray London, Albemarle St, 50 22 Mar 1871 Charles Robert Darwin …
- … Murray, John (b) Darwin, C. R. …
- … and selection in relation to sex. By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1871. …
- … the second printing of Descent (see letter from John Murray, 18 March [1871] and n. 3). …
- … originally planned a further 1000 copies (see letter from John Murray, 20 March [1871] ). …
- … 2,000 will be wanted I am My Dear Sir | Your’s very faithfully | John Murray Ch Darwin Esq …
To John Murray 23 September [1871]
Summary
Has been so unwell that he could do absolutely nothing on Origin [6th ed.]. A new chapter seven has cost much labour.
Sorry to hear R. I. Murchison is ill.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 23 Sept [1871] |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms. 42152 ff. 234–5) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-7964 |
Matches: 9 hits
- … To John Murray 23 September [1871] …
- … Darwin, C. R. Murray, John (b) …
- … National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms. 42152 ff. …
- … 234–5) Charles Robert Darwin Down 23 Sept [1871] John Murray …
- … refers to Origin 6th ed. ; see letter to John Murray, 17 August [1871] and n. 7. William …
- … to Roderick Impey Murchison; see letter from John Murray, 22 September [1871] and n. 4. …
- … 6th edition, with additions and corrections. By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1872. …
- … between this letter and the letter to John Murray, 22 September [1871]. CD refers to …
- … Anatomy and Physiology (see letter from John Murray, 22 September [1871] and n. 2). The …
To John Murray 13 April [1871]
Summary
Has no idea who wrote the Times review [of Descent]. Writer has no knowledge of science and "seems a windbag full of metaphysics & classics".
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 13 Apr [1871] |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms. 42152 ff. 220–1) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-7680 |
Matches: 7 hits
- … To John Murray 13 April [1871] …
- … Darwin, C. R. Murray, John (b) …
- … National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms. 42152 ff. …
- … 220–1) Charles Robert Darwin Down 13 Apr [1871] John Murray …
- … by the relationship between this letter and the letter from John Murray, 12 April [1871] . …
- … See letter from John Murray, 12 April [1871] and nn. 2 and 3. CD’ …
- … in Turin has not been found. See letter from John Murray, 12 April [1871] and n. 4. …
To John Murray 17 August [1871]
Summary
Asks JM whether he will publish 750 copies of a pamphlet [Chauncey Wright’s review of Mivart’s Genesis of species, North Am. Rev. 113 (1871): 63–103] at CD’s expense.
Has been ill so cannot say when he will finish new edition of Origin.
Asks about sales and printing of Descent.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 17 Aug [1871] |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms. 42152 ff. 226–7) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-7907 |
Matches: 11 hits
- … To John Murray 17 August [1871] …
- … Darwin, C. R. Murray, John (b) …
- … National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms. 42152 ff. …
- … 226–7) Charles Robert Darwin Haredene, Albury Surrey 17 Aug [1871] John Murray …
- … sex. By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1871. Freeman, Richard Broke. 1977. …
- … 1871 (CD’s ‘Journal’ (Appendix II)). John Murray’s firm had published the second edition …
- … 1871b). Wright’s review was republished by John Murray as a pamphlet (Wright 1871b). No …
- … of intercrossing. By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1862. Origin : On the origin of …
- … 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. …
- … p. 500. Descent had been published by John Murray on 24 February 1871 ( Freeman 1977 ). …
To John Murray 23 March 1871
Summary
Amount received from 2d issue of Descent now stands at £840. Would be glad to have 2000 more copies printed because he wants time to collect information for a corrected edition.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 23 Mar 1871 |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms. 42153 ff. 44–5) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-7613 |
Matches: 6 hits
- … To John Murray 23 March 1871 …
- … Darwin, C. R. Murray, John (b) …
- … National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms. 42153 ff. …
- … 44–5) Charles Robert Darwin Down 23 Mar 1871 John Murray …
- … to the second printing of Descent (see letter from John Murray, 22 March 1871 and n. 1). …
- … and selection in relation to sex. By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1871. …
From John Murray 20 February [1871]
Summary
A second edition [issue] of Descent may be needed in short time; preparations should be made, and corrections sent to Clowes. Wallace, Mivart, and F. P. Cobbe have been sent copies of both volumes.
| Author: | John Murray |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 20 Feb [1871] |
| Classmark: | DAR 171: 388 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-7496 |
Matches: 8 hits
- … From John Murray 20 February [1871] …
- … DAR 171: 388 John Murray London, Albemarle St, 50 20 Feb [1871] Charles Robert Darwin …
- … Murray, John (b) Darwin, C. R. …
- … Cap My dear Sir | yours very sincerely | John Murray I hope to see you Thursday or Friday. …
- … sex. By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1871. Freeman, Richard Broke. 1977. …
- … to the publication of Descent. See letter to John Murray, 19 February [1871] . Descent was …
- … 24 February 1871 ( Freeman 1977 ). See letter from John Murray, 18 February [1871] , …
- … and letter to John Murray, 19 February [1871] . CD was in London from 23 February to 2 …
To John Murray 19 February [1871]
Summary
Discusses publication of Descent. Orders copies of vol. 2 sent to Wallace, Mivart, and F. P. Cobbe.
Will attend Athenaeum and vote for RC.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 19 Feb [1871] |
| Classmark: | DAR 143: 280 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-7489 |
Matches: 8 hits
- … To John Murray 19 February [1871] …
- … DAR 143: 280 Charles Robert Darwin Down 19 Feb [1871] John Murray …
- … Darwin, C. R. Murray, John (b) …
- … sex. By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1871. Freeman, Richard Broke. 1977. …
- … Albemarle Street’ and dated 23 February 1871 ( letter to John Murray, 23 February 1871 ). …
- … See letter from John Murray, 18 February [1871] . CD refers to Alfred Russel Wallace, St …
- … and 30 January [1871] ). See letter from John Murray, 18 February [1871] . CD’s letter to …
- … between this letter and the letter from John Murray, 18 February [1871] . Robert Francis …
From John Murray 31 May [1871]
Summary
On photographic illustrations [for Expression].
Estimates 7s 6d price for a cheap edition of Origin [6th].
| Author: | John Murray |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 31 May [1871] |
| Classmark: | DAR 171: 400 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-7784 |
Matches: 8 hits
- … From John Murray 31 May [1871] …
- … DAR 171: 400 John Murray London, Albemarle St, 50a 31 May [1871] Charles Robert Darwin …
- … Murray, John (b) Darwin, C. R. …
- … My Dear Sir | Yours very sincerely | John Murray Chas Darwin Esq Top of letter : ‘(Copy of …
- … animals. By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1872. Lyell, Charles. 1871. The student’s …
- … Origin 6th ed. ), see the letter to John Murray, 12 May [1871] . The reference is to …
- … and corrections. By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1872. Origin : On the origin of …
- … of favoured races in the struggle for life. By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1859. …
From John Murray 23 February [1871]
Summary
Descent publication costs, "including a heavy item of £126 for corrections" have been received. JM can now offer CD 600 guineas for the edition of 2500 copies.
| Author: | John Murray |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 23 Feb [1871] |
| Classmark: | DAR 171: 389 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-7507 |
Matches: 6 hits
- … From John Murray 23 February [1871] …
- … DAR 171: 389 John Murray London, Albemarle St, 50 23 Feb [1871] Charles Robert Darwin …
- … Murray, John (b) Darwin, C. R. …
- … a call from you I am My Dear Sir | Your faithful servant | John Murray Chas Darwin Esq r …
- … sex. By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1871. Freeman, Richard Broke. 1977. …
- … 1871 (CD’s ‘Journal’ (Appendix II)). See also letter to John Murray, 23 February 1871 . …
From John Murray 22 September [1871]
Summary
The pamphlet [Chauncey Wright’s review of Mivart, see 7940] has been distributed to friends and to the press.
| Author: | John Murray |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 22 Sept [1871] |
| Classmark: | DAR 171: 402 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-7962 |
Matches: 6 hits
- … From John Murray 22 September [1871] …
- … DAR 171: 402 John Murray London, Albemarle St, 50 22 Sept [1871] Charles Robert Darwin …
- … Murray, John (b) Darwin, C. R. …
- … better | My Dear Sir | Yours very faithfully John Murray Charles Darwin Esq &c &c | Down …
- … by the relationship between this letter and the letter to John Murray, 13 September 1871 . …
- … See letter to John Murray, 13 September 1871 and nn. 1 and 2. Chauncey Wright’s review …
To John Murray 20 March 1871
Summary
Pleased with sum the reprint [of Descent] has produced. Terms of payment accepted.
Thanks JM for Nonconformist [review of Descent, 32 (1871): 240–1].
Would like to see other out-of-way reviews – especially religious.
Other reviews favourable, including Wallace’s [see 7569], which is admirable.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Murray |
| Date: | 20 Mar 1871 |
| Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms. 42152 ff. 250–1) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-7603 |
Matches: 6 hits
- … To John Murray 20 March 1871 …
- … Darwin, C. R. Murray, John (b) …
- … National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms. 42152 ff. …
- … 250–1) Charles Robert Darwin Down 20 Mar 1871 John Murray …
- … By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1871. North, John S. 1997. The Waterloo …
- … See letter from John Murray, 18 March [1871] and n. 3. CD had banked with the Charing …
| letter | (531) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (226) |
| Murray, John (b) | (13) |
| Reade, W. W. | (12) |
| Cooke, R. F. | (10) |
| John Murray | (10) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (290) |
| Murray, John (b) | (20) |
| Cooke, R. F. | (15) |
| John Murray | (13) |
| Darwin, W. E. | (10) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (516) |
| Murray, John (b) | (33) |
| Cooke, R. F. | (25) |
| John Murray | (23) |
| Hooker, J. D. | (16) |
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 …
