From Charles John Andersson [6 April 1856]
Summary
European men choose partners for different reasons. Savages select more for bodily attraction than facial beauty.
Author: | Charles John (Carl Johann) Andersson |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | [6 Apr 1856] |
Classmark: | DAR 85: A102 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1850 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … DCP-LETT-1850 …
To Adam Sedgwick 11 October [1850]
Summary
Thanks AS for a copy of his book, Discourse [on the studies of the University, 5th ed.].
Thinking of not sending his eldest son [William] to a classical school.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Adam Sedgwick |
Date: | 11 Oct [1850] |
Classmark: | Gerald M. Friedman (private collection) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1369F |
Matches: 12 hits
- … To Adam Sedgwick 11 October [1850] …
- … M. Friedman (private collection) Charles Robert Darwin Down 11 Oct [1850] Adam Sedgwick …
- … s Discourse on the studies of the University of Cambridge (Sedgwick 1850; see n. …
- … 2, below). Sedgwick 1850. CD’s annotated copy, inscribed ‘From the Author’, is in the …
- … recorded reading this edition on 12 November 1850 ( Correspondence vol. 4, Appendix IV, …
- … Sedgwick 1833. The fifth edition (Sedgwick 1850) was expanded by a preface of 442 pages, …
- … He visited Malvern again from 11 to 18 June 1850 ( ibid. , Appendix I) and had also been …
- … cure at home (see ibid. , letter to J. D. Hooker, 13 June [1850] , and letter to W. …
- … D. Fox, 4 September [1850] and n. 2). See also Browne 1990. …
- … reaching his 11th birthday on 27 December 1850; he entered Rugby School in 1852. On the …
- … 4, letter to W. D. Fox, 10 October [1850] and n. 2. Sedgwick, in the first edition of …
- … The preface to the fifth edition (Sedgwick 1850) expands on the same theme, containing a …
To Charles Lyell [8 June 1850]
Summary
Discusses depths at which ripple-marks appear on sea-floor.
Personal and social comment.
Mentions receiving Agassiz’s Lake Superior [1850].
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Charles Lyell, 1st baronet |
Date: | [8 June 1850] |
Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.94) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1337 |
Matches: 10 hits
- … To Charles Lyell [8 June 1850] …
- … Society (Mss.B.D25.94) Charles Robert Darwin Down [8 June 1850] Charles Lyell, 1st baronet …
- … expecting her first child; Leonard Lyell was born on 21 October 1850. …
- … sea-floor. Personal and social comment. Mentions receiving Agassiz’s Lake Superior [1850]. …
- … Gideon Algernon Mantell recorded on 1 June 1850: ‘to the Zoological Gardens in the Regent’ …
- … 4, Appendix I) a stay at Malvern from 11 to 18 June 1850. Katharine Murray Lyell, who was …
- … Account Book (Down House MS) entry for 6 June 1850. Anne Elizabeth Darwin, then nine years …
- … On British fossil Lepadidae’, read 5 June 1850 at the Geological Society, Collected papers …
- … 1: 251–2. Agassiz 1850. CD’s annotated presentation copy is in the Darwin Library–CUL. …
- … it in his list of books read on 16 August 1850 (DAR 119; Correspondence vol. 4, Appendix …
Carpenter, William Benjamin. 1850. On the mutual relations of the vital and physical forces. [Read 20 June 1850.] Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society (1850): 727–57.
To Richard Owen 10 September [1850]
Summary
About to go to press with "wearyful" Fossil Cirripedia [vol. 1 (1851)];
would like to borrow proof-sheets of Frederick Dixon’s work [The geology and fossils of the Tertiary and Cretaceous formations of Sussex (1850)]. Would also like to borrow a specimen of Balanus glacialis from Royal College of Surgeons. Encloses formal request [see 1356].
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Richard Owen |
Date: | 10 Sept [1850] |
Classmark: | Natural History Museum (General Special Collections Owen correspondence 9/198) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1355 |
Matches: 8 hits
- … To Richard Owen 10 September [1850] …
- … Owen correspondence 9/198) Charles Robert Darwin Down 10 Sept [1850] Richard Owen …
- … present species. See letter to Richard Owen, 10 September [1850] (calendar number 1356). …
- … and Cretaceous formations of Sussex (1850)]. Would also like to borrow a specimen of …
- … F. Dixon 1850 . Following the death of Frederick Dixon in 1849, Owen undertook to edit …
- … volume was published the end of December 1850 ( Publishers’ Circular , 1 January 1851). …
- … Sowerby made the drawings for F. Dixon 1850 ( Fossil Cirripedia (1851): 38). Listed in …
- … Bibliography Dixon, Frederick. 1850. The geology and fossils of the Tertiary and …
To Mr Downie? 14 July [1850]
Summary
An enquiry about the availability, size, and cost of cork-lined boxes for entomological collections.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Mr Downie |
Date: | 14 July [1850] |
Classmark: | Autos & Autos (dealers) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1343A |
Matches: 5 hits
- … to W. D. Fox, 4 September [1850] . …
- … To Mr Downie? 14 July [1850] …
- … Autos & Autos (dealers) Charles Robert Darwin Down 14 July [1850] Mr Downie …
- … book (Down House MS), dated 20 August 1850, that reads: ‘Entomological Box for Willy. …
- … a ‘passion for collecting Lepidoptera’ in 1850. See Correspondence vol. 4, letter …
To Robert Fitch [13? April 1850]
Summary
Illustration of RF’s fossil cirripede specimens by J. de C. Sowerby.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Robert Fitch |
Date: | [13? Apr 1850] |
Classmark: | Norwich Castle |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1315 |
Matches: 6 hits
- … To Robert Fitch [13? April 1850] …
- … Norwich Castle Charles Robert Darwin Down [13? Apr 1850] Robert Fitch …
- … given to James de Carle Sowerby (see letter to J. de C. Sowerby, 4 May [ 1850] ). CD ‘ …
- … systematic Sessilia’ on 28 April 1850, as recorded in his ‘Journal’ ( Correspondence …
- … James de Carle Sowerby (see letter to J. de C. Sowerby, [13 April 1850] ). See letter …
- … to James de Carle Sowerby, [13 April 1850]. CD experienced protracted delays with the …
To J. J. S. Steenstrup 1 September [1850]
Summary
Fossil cirripede specimens have arrived.
Describes progress on his monograph [Fossil Cirripedia].
Would be grateful for the paper on Lithotrya. Asks for information.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Johannes Japetus Smith (Japetus) Steenstrup |
Date: | 1 Sept [1850] |
Classmark: | Det Kongelige Bibliotek, Copenhagen (NKS 3460 4to) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1351 |
Matches: 6 hits
- … To J. J. S. Steenstrup 1 September [1850] …
- … greatest use to me in illustrating the British species. ’ (pp. v–vi). Reinhardt 1850 . See …
- … letter to Albany Hancock, 25 December [1850] . See Fossil Cirripedia (1854): 25 n. …
- … 4to) Charles Robert Darwin Down 1 Sept [1850] Johannes Japetus Smith (Japetus) Steenstrup …
- … Society. 1854. Reinhardt, Johannes Theodor. 1850. Om slægten Lithotryas Evne til at bore …
- … letter to J. J. S. Steenstrup, 15 June [1850] . CD had apparently misread Steenstrup’s …
To James de Carle Sowerby 12 February [1850]
Summary
Because of health, CD will postpone coming to London until all drawings are finished.
Asks JdeCS, if he is able "with any honesty", to "purloin" for him a proof-sheet of Frederick Dixon’s plate with cirripedes [in Geology and fossils … of Sussex (1850)].
Requests statement of total owed to JdeCS as a guide to the future.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | James de Carle Sowerby |
Date: | 12 Feb [1850] |
Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1303 |
Matches: 7 hits
- … To James de Carle Sowerby 12 February [1850] …
- … Society (Mss.B.D25. ) Charles Robert Darwin Down 12 Feb [1850] James de Carle Sowerby …
- … Bibliography Dixon, Frederick. 1850. The geology and fossils of the Tertiary and …
- … in Geology and fossils … of Sussex (1850)]. Requests statement of total owed to JdeCS as a …
- … The anniversary meeting of the Geological Society was on Friday, 15 February 1850. F. …
- … Dixon 1850 , Tab. xxviii. …
- … See letter to Richard Owen, 10 September [1850] . Fossil Cirripedia (1851): Tab. I (fig. …
From the Ray Society [4–6 November 1850]
Summary
In response to CD’s letter [see 1364] the Secretary is instructed to request that he send a specimen plate to James de Carle Sowerby for estimate of cost.
Author: | Ray Society |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | [4–6 Nov 1850] |
Classmark: | Natural History Museum (General Library MSS RAY) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1366A |
Matches: 5 hits
- … From the Ray Society [4–6 November 1850] …
- … History Museum (General Library MSS RAY) Ray Society [4–6 Nov 1850] Charles Robert Darwin …
- … Dated on the basis of the council meeting of 4 November 1850 and on CD’s reply …
- … to Edwin Lankester, 7 November [1850]. See …
- … letter to Edwin Lankester, 27 October [1850]. The letter has not been found. …
To Richard Owen [before 28 April 1850]
Summary
Asks to borrow a cirripede specimen from collection of Frederick Dixon.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Richard Owen |
Date: | [before 28 Apr 1850] |
Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.89) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1357 |
Matches: 6 hits
- … To Richard Owen [before 28 April 1850] …
- … Society (Mss.B.D25.89) Charles Robert Darwin Down [before 28 Apr 1850] Richard Owen …
- … the relationship to the letter to Richard Owen, 28 April [1850] (see n. 2, below). Tab. …
- … XXVIII, fig. 9, refers to F. Dixon 1850 . The plate is reproduced in Fossil Cirripedia ( …
- … CD (see letter to Richard Owen, 28 April [1850] ). Tab. XIV, figs. 3 and 4, are in Sowerby …
- … Bibliography Dixon, Frederick. 1850. The geology and fossils of the Tertiary and …
McLaren, C. B. B. (1850–1934)
Matches: 1 hit
- … Charles Benjamin Bright McLaren 1850–1934 Politician. …
To John Higgins 9 May [1850]
Summary
Agrees to reduce rent on farm because of bad times.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Higgins |
Date: | 9 May [1850] |
Classmark: | Lincolnshire Archives (HIG/4/2/1/32) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1326 |
Matches: 6 hits
- … To John Higgins 9 May [1850] …
- … Lincolnshire Archives (HIG/4/2/1/32) Charles Robert Darwin Down 9 May [1850] John Higgins …
- … income from the farm remained at the reduced rate during 1850, 1851, and 1852 (see letter …
- … to John Higgins, 13 December [1850] , and Correspondence vol. 5, letters to John Higgins, …
- … in Parliament and at public meetings during the first few months of 1850 ( Annual …
- … Register 1850, History, p. 2). Some wished a return to protectionism, others a remission …
To J. S. Bowerbank 17 March [1850]
Summary
Thanks JSB for information regarding Sylvanus Hanley’s residence.
Sends stamps for specimen.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | James Scott Bowerbank |
Date: | 17 Mar [1850] |
Classmark: | University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1312 |
To W. D. Fox 10 October [1850]
Summary
Is concerned about the education of his boys and is undecided between Rugby and Bruce Castle schools; is inclined toward the latter, but afraid to experiment on so important a subject.
Reports on his pear-trees.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
Date: | 10 Oct [1850] |
Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 78) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1362 |
Matches: 7 hits
- … To W. D. Fox 10 October [1850] …
- … Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 78) Charles Robert Darwin Down 10 Oct [1850] William Darwin Fox …
- … s diary records that ‘Willy went to school’ on 28 January 1850. Probably A. Hill 1833 . …
- … See letter to W. D. Fox, 4 September [1850] . The final decision was to send William to …
- … old stereotyped stupid classical education’. See letter to W. D. Fox, [May 1850] . See …
- … letter to Syms Covington, 23 November 1850 , n. 4. See letter to W. D. Fox, 6 February [ …
- … Down House MS) has an entry for 19 August 1850: ‘Whartton Rev d . — Willy School 74 3 6. ’ …
To Josiah Wedgwood III 1 December [1850]
Summary
Discusses share dealings and investment matters.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Josiah Wedgwood, III |
Date: | 1 Dec [1850] |
Classmark: | DAR 210.10: 15 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1373 |
From J. D. Hooker 6 and 7 April 1850
Summary
Spoke too harshly about CD’s involvement in nomenclatural reform.
JDH used to think CD "too prone to theoretical considerations about species", hence was pleased CD took up a difficult group like barnacles. CD’s theories have progressed but JDH not converted. Sikkim has not cleared up his doubts about CD’s doctrines.
Argument with Falconer.
Author: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 6 and 7 Apr 1850 |
Classmark: | Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (India Letters 1847–51: 274–6 JDH/1/10) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1319 |
Matches: 9 hits
- … From J. D. Hooker 6 and 7 April 1850 …
- … Kew (India Letters 1847–51: 274–6 JDH/1/10) Joseph Dalton Hooker Calcutta 6 Apr 1850 7 …
- … Apr 1850 Charles Robert Darwin …
- … set out on this expedition on 1 May 1850. Lack of time prevented the exploration of the …
- … note: Hooker in Letter. Ap. 6 th . — 1850. — Says in Sikkim the floras of tropical, …
- … to Nepal in 1848 (J. D. Hooker 1854, 1: 178). He visited England in 1850–1. Hooker …
- … Govt. House Calcutta April 6. 1850 My dear Darwin Here at last I take up my pen to write …
- … I forget HC. Bot Gardens. April 7 th . 1850 Dear Darwin Here I am staying with Falconer! …
- … joined Hooker in Darjeeling in February 1850, prior to their expedition to the Khasia …
people | (693) |
letter | (501) |
bibliography | (99) |
Darwin, C. R. | (170) |
Hooker, J. D. | (32) |
Fox, W. D. | (19) |
Lyell, Charles | (18) |
Sowerby, J. de C. | (17) |
Darwin, C. R. | (488) |
Hooker, J. D. | (67) |
Lyell, Charles | (22) |
Fox, W. D. | (20) |
Sowerby, J. de C. | (17) |
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Origin in Commentary

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: 1 hits
- … to have discovered the principle of natural selection in 1850: ‘This belief in Professor Owen that …