To John Murray 22 December [1859]
Summary
Asa Gray offers to arrange for reprinting Origin in U. S. CD has told him JM would send sheets of 2d ed. by post.
CD thinks he has good scheme for his "larger work" in three volumes, with separate titles and a general title. Will be two years before first volume is ready because of his health.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Murray |
Date: | 22 Dec [1859] |
Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff.68–69) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2594 |
To John Murray [3 November 1859]
Summary
Infinitely pleased and proud of the appearance of his "child" [Origin, 1st ed.]. Thinks JM has been overgenerous in paying for his corrections. Offers to divide cost and regrets sending such badly composed copy.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Murray |
Date: | [3 Nov 1859] |
Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 f.49) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2514 |
To John Murray 15 October [1859]
Summary
Discusses presentation copies [of the Origin].
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Murray |
Date: | 15 Oct [1859] |
Classmark: | DAR R 143 (with R. F. Cooke correspondence) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2506 |
To John Murray 24 November [1859]
Summary
CD is astonished at sale of Origin [to booksellers].
Arranges to start new edition immediately. Cannot change much [while at Ilkley Wells], nor work rapidly because of health. Relieved that JM has no cause to repent of publishing Origin.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Murray |
Date: | 24 Nov [1859] |
Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff.70–71) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2549 |
To John Murray 2 December [1859]
Summary
All sheets [of Origin, 2d ed.] are ready. Has made a few corrections
and inserted Charles Kingsley’s sentence in answer to those who may think the book is irreligious.
Insists page numbering be kept uniform with 1st edition.
Intends to start immediately on the "larger work", with a distinct title.
Fears reviews will be unfavourable but is confident his views will ultimately prevail.
Asks about plans for French edition.
Thanks JM for his exertions on behalf of sales of Origin.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Murray |
Date: | 2 Dec [1859] |
Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff.51–53) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2566 |
To John Murray 31 March [1859]
Summary
CD has heard from Lyell that JM is inclined to publish his work on the origin of species. Will send some chapters as soon as copyist has finished. Sends list of 12 chapters. It will be a popular abstract of more than 20 years’ work. It ought to be popular with scientific and semi-scientific readers.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Murray |
Date: | 31 Mar [1859] |
Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42153 ff.12–13) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2441 |
To John Murray 14 November [1859]
Summary
Mme Belloc wishes to translate CD’s book on species into French. Asks JM to communicate with her. CD anxious to have his views known and discussed. Wishes there could be a German translation.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Murray |
Date: | 14 Nov [1859] |
Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff.54–56) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2531 |
From Whitwell Elwin to John Murray 3 May 1859
Summary
Charles Lyell has asked WE to pass his opinions on the MS of Origin to CD via Murray. WE is convinced of the value of CD’s researches but "to put forth the theory without the evidence", as in the MS, "would do grievous injustice to his views". The omission of these facts reduces both the philosophical and popular value of the work, by virtue of its dryness.
Supports Charles Lyell’s suggestion that CD should first publish his observations on pigeons with a theoretical outline, for "[e]very body is interested in pigeons". Such a work would generate wider interest and be better understood. A subsequent, larger book would then be approached with impartiality "not to say favour" by a wider public.
Author: | Whitwell Elwin |
Addressee: | John Murray |
Date: | 3 May 1859 |
Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms. 42197) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2457A |
letter | (28) |
Darwin, C. R. | (25) |
Murray, John (b) | (2) |
Elwin, Whitwell | (1) |
Murray, John (b) | (26) |
Darwin, C. R. | (2) |
Murray, John (b) | (28) |
Darwin, C. R. | (27) |
Elwin, Whitwell | (1) |