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Show moreCollection of over 175 manuscript letters by Darwin, his family, and his contemporaries detailing Darwin's daily life and the struggle of the Victorians to formulate and accept the theory of evolution. Any numbers that appear in the titles of individual collection objects refers to the Calendar of the Darwin Correspondence numbering system.
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![Letter from [Charles Darwin] to Alfred Neafie](https://digital.case.edu/sites/default/files/styles/islandora_imagecache_image_style_medium/public/externals/d6a3276636869570f54cf08dd5c182ef.jpg?itok=BA9YF4X7&pid=ksl:ditalldar00119&iic=true)
Show moreLetter to Alfred Neafie concerning a Christmas gift of a silver knife, and a brief discussion of theory. Transcription: "England, Dec.23;1872 Col Alfred Neafri: My dear Sir: While it gives me much pleasure to hear that you are a convert to my theories, I am in constant terror and anxiety, sir, lest you showed retrograde to your original condition. For, my dear sir, I have heard,(and I say this not in anger but in sorrow of heart,) that you are quite given to "growls" about things in general and some alas in []. Now, Col, if you have read my books all week, you must know that nothing is more indicative of a savage slate than growling. And in my anxiety and distress, lest you should furnish a case of entire reversion, I have counseled your wife to present you this silver fruit knife for your Chistmas Gift. [] Chat if your semi savage slate should increase upon you. This timely and appropriate gift may incline you to use your hands, and thus keep out of sight the claws that generally are well developed in growling animals. It is fair, my dear sid, to assure you that your wife is not privy to these fears of mine, but gives this knife to you because she believes it in a measure [] holical of your wedded union-strong but not sharp: solid but not heavy: both useful and ornamental, brilliant and precious. I am, dear sir, with the Compliments of the Season your true friend Charles Darwin Col. Alfred Neafir Ellenville [] N.Y. U.S. America Darwin A Darwin Letter 1872 Purchased 1946 Was laid in "Animals+Plants under Domestication" Am. ed" Letter, signed by sender [written for Charles Darwin?]. Envelope included. Sent from Ellenville, Ulster County, New York.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreAppreciation for a copy of a translation of his 'Variation under domestication'. Written in pencil is 'F6117, $150.00'. Written on December 20th, no year given. Letter from Down, Beckenham, Kent. Transcription: "Dec 20th F6117 $150.00 Down, Beckenham,Kent Dear Sir I am very much obliged for the copy of the beautifully [set?] translation of my variation when Domestication, received a few days ago; + for your present of the admirable work on the microscopical interaction of [mites?]. Dear Sir yours very faithfully Ch. Darwin"
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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![Letter from Leonard Darwin to [Unknown]](https://digital.case.edu/sites/default/files/styles/islandora_imagecache_image_style_medium/public/externals/92cc3ddd302051e1929365423f80c88d.jpg?itok=uMhtcTre&pid=ksl:ditalldar00095&iic=true)
Show moreLetter to someone verifying a particular photograph as being his father, Charles Darwin. Transcription: "gift of Meredith Colbert April 23 1964 May 30. 1935 Cripps's Corner Forest Row Sussex Dear Sir I am glad to be able to say that the photo, which I return herewith, is certainly of my father. As to the signature, I am also as certain as I can be on such a matter that it is his writing. I see no reason to doubt it. I think it was probably taken somewhere about 1870; but this a mere guess. He always looked old for his age-It might be rather later. yours very truly Leonard Darwin" Letter with photograph, signed by sender. Sent from Cripp's Corner, Forest Row, Sussex.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreAir Letter to Robert Stecher. Transcription: Dear Dr. Stecher, Thank you for your letter of 16th December about Dr. Bruere. I am glad that you took up the subject with him, and I may say I wish you had expressed yourself even more strongly. It seems to me really quite shocking that a man can reach a position of his kind on such an unbelievably deficient upbringing. If I had felt it incumbent on me to write to him as you have done, I think I would have asked him if he also believed that the earth was flat. If I can be any help to you over the projected lecture I hope you will let me know. But I should mention that I expect to be abroad on holiday during February. With kind regards and best wishes for 1960, Yours sincerely, Charles Darwin Letter, signed by sender. Envelope included. Sent from Newnham Grange, Cambridge.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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1995, No. 10
Show moreLetter to Robert Stecher with a transcript of a letter written by Darwin from Down, Beckenham, Kent, England on October 23, 1880 [12771], in which Darwin outlines his writing of the Origin of Species. Transcription: "My Dear Bob: Had I been here when you came to speak on Darwin I would have shown you the original of this letter. Not Important (Altho its mention of his Origin of Species makes it "Desirable") But I thought you would like like to have this copy. My best always. Phil June 1, 1960 For my friend Bob Stecher:- Copy of a Hand-written letter of Charles Darwin In my possession October 23 1880 Dear Sir (Recipient's name not given.) I am much obliged for your courteous letter of Oct 8th.- I have no difficulty in answering your questions; But I cannot see how my answers can be of interest to anyone - I was born on Feb. 12th 1809.- On my return home after the voyage of the beagle, I opened my first note-book for facts .......... (p.2) Bearing on the Origin of Species in July 1837. In June 1842 I wrote a brief sketch of the notions then arrived at;& this was enlarged in 1844 into a sketch of 230 M.S. Pages. The Origin of Species was published near the close of 1859.- Dear Sir Yours Faithfully Charles Darwin" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Rochester, Minnesota.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreLetter to Grant Allen giving intimate information on the wives of Eramus Darwin. Embossed stamp on stationary reads Atheneaum Club, Pall Mall. Transcription: "42 Ratland Gate St. Feb 25/85? Dear Grant Allen Most of what + all that I can tell you want is contained in 1 Ch. Darwin life of [Erasmus] Darwin 2- [Nup] Sewards life of him 3-Metgards life of wedgewood I return your letter with notes that George Darwin (when I knew I was to meet today) has scrawled on it. As regards Erasmus Darwin 2nd-[] [] widow of [] [], her maiden name was [] + there is some [] mystery as to her origin. though entire nouns there is little or no doubt this was an illegitimate daughter of Lord []. Her education + welfare had been carefully looked after by a sedate man of [], who up to after her 2nd-marriage continued to make formal + periodical visits, the topics of which were kept secret to her then young children + step children. I saw her []-only once as a child. She was a bright, active, kindly lady who lived to past 90. Her portrait as a young lady shows regal beauty. I mention all this to you for your own information. Of course understanding that writing of the illegitimate past is publicized. [] was at one time a [] admirer of [] turned savagely around on D-Darwin + was genuinely spiteful because he did not prepare to marry her as the uniform tradition goes, as she wanted D.E. Darwin had a respectable liason with Mrs Hadley before her marriage + his children by her were almost received on equal footing in the family (4) Mrs []'s whcih refer to Erasmnus Darwin here or there, [] are considered by our family as grossly inaccurate. She hoped her mature life + age in devout + seaside []. Her childhood was precocious + unnatural, + her [] was a time of mischief-making + I suppose hysterical perversion of character. She did frightful harm by misrepresentations very faithfully Francis Gallim" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from 42 Rutland Gate SW.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreLetter to Robert Stecher to answer his inquiries about some Darwin prints. Kaynes tells of visit to Harvey vault in Hampsted Church. Transcription: "8 May 1960 Lammas House, Brinkley Neismarket, Suffolk Dear Dr. Stecher, Very many thanks for returning my Darwin prints with interest! I am afraid I can't help you with any of your queries. I have no clue at all as to the origins of my nos. 2 and 3. As to no. 4, I think [] meant the gentleman shaking hands with the gorilla at the top to be a likeness of Darwin; but the likeness is approximate only. It is the original pen drawing that I have, but I know nothing more about it. It carries no identification at all. I am sure Quentin must have been most interested in your collections. He is due here in a few days, + he will tell me about it. And he shall be delighted to see you + your wife here in the autumn if we are at home. We plan to go to Rome for a fortnight Sept-Oct. but dates are not yet fixed. Henry Viets is staying here at the moment. + I took him this afternoon to see Harvey's monument in [Harpsted?] church, not for from here. The Harvey [] happened to be open, having no door owing to repairs that are being made to be wandered in a Harvey [], surrounded by dozens of bodies '[]'. Rather a grisly sight. W.H. Runself is up in the church in a great marble sarcophagus. near the bust. Yours sincerely Geoffrey Keynes" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Lammas House, Brinkley, Newmarket, Suffolk.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreLetter to Thomas Edward Keys (Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota) to say that Keynes will have photographed for Dr. Stecher some caricatures of Darwin. Transcription: "120 Regent's Park Road Lammas House, Brinkley London NW1 Newmarket, Suffolk Primrose 4693 Stetchworth 268 25 Feb 1960 Dear Tom, I have been enjoying a month's break in tropical sunshine in Nigeria. No letters were forwarded which explains this dilatory answer to yours of 26 January. I have several Danish caricatures which I will have photographed for Dr Stecher. You say his lecture is due next March, which I am afraid means next month so it is urgent. Last year I acquired A.R.Wallis's copy of the first edition of the Origin given by Darwin. With Wallis's signature + notes + his inscription to another botanist friend. That seems to me to be the best association possible! As regards the new history of the Mayo Clinic, I don't feel that I am in a position to give advice of any value about a possible author. It should surely be done by an American who would have to spend many months on the spot so as to have access to the archives. He should also be medical if possible. Have you seen the new History of the Royal College of Surgeons by Sir Zachary Cope? It's to be had from the Libraria of the College for 3-3-0 [pounds]. Also the new catalogue of portraits & Hantenan paintings at 301 - Both very good! Yours sincerely Geoffrey Keynes" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Lammas House, Brinkley, Newmarket, Suffolk.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreLetter to Grant Allen to say how much Wallace enjoyed Allen's article "Natural inequality", an article in defense of socialism. Transcription: "Parkstone, Dorset April 21, 1897 My dear Grant Allen I must send you a line to say how much I have enjoyed your "Natural Inequality". It is a most admirable answer to one of the commonest but most stupid objections to Socialism. I only wish it were published in some colume or periodical more likely to be read by our opponents. With very best wishes Believe me yours very sincerely Alfred R. Wallace" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Parkstone, Dorest.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreLetter to E. S. Marsh recommending several books that describe "vegetable evolution" including Darwin's Origin of Species, Grant Allen's "Flowers and their pedigrees" and "Evolutionist at large", and G. H. Lewis' articles on Darwinism in the Fortnightly Review. Includes typewritten transcription. Transcription: "Cambridge, June 10/88 Dear Sir: In my terrible [arrears] of correspondence I have just reached March 1st, the date of your letter. No one has treated the subject of vegetable evolution more fully than Darwin himself. both in his Origin of Species and in his numerous books on plants and their peculiarities. Such a little book as Grant Allen's "Flowers + their Pedigrees" and his "Evolutionist at Large" would have interest for you. It is not necessary to suppose that all organic forms have come from a single organic form, not is it likely. More probably there were at first many (perhaps) myriads) of exceedingly low forms --- too low and too little specialized to be called either animal or vegetal --- from among which only some few were able to [] + give rise to [] types of offspring. There were some suggestive remarks on this by G.H.Lewes in a series of articles as Darwinism in the Fortnightly Review somewhere between 1867 and 1871 Very truly yours John Fiske To E.S. march, Esq." Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Cambridge.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreLetter to John Brodie Innes on a variety of topics, like the church. Transciption: "Lady is not for sale. [Land??] us some good or fair [Churchman??] to buy it and reside with us. The Rectory, [Keston??] Beckenham, Kent 13 Oct. 1874 Dear Innes I hope you + Mrs. Innes are quite well enjoying this mild autumn + the fruits + fowls of the season. We are at [Keston??] without much change or will to report, and with all the blessings [connected] with my [alarm] and harvest we out to be [] + grateful. I have been hearing both sides of the great questions by being present first [at] the meeting of the British ass, at [] where [Tyndall] + [Huxley] [] [] and hearing enough [] "Materialism" and [] pretty well paid off by professors + preachers there, and Sir John Lubbock whose [mobilisation??] [] beautifully illustrated by his daugher and no doubt largely drawn from Darwin showed the correlation of flowers + insects intensify and only a little [] aside to air [Darwinism??]/ This last week I have for 4 days been a listener for some 6 hours a day at the Church Congress. I go to see while I hear the men and compare the [product??] with the [product??] in my own half [filter-ological] way. It explains much to me + the more the longer I live. Comparing those leading men named of the B. [] and the big men on the C. Congress such as Pr. Pritchard [filter] [firstborn??] Bp Woodford [] Barry []. I am somewhat comforted in being able [] to say that the [] in our generation as in many before, has conquered the giants of mind. But we had also babies "up" they were bearable [howard??] acting naturally - as babies, and were not [very] perverse children as the man of [] wanting proportionally strong powers of Moral judgement becomes, Both meet?ins were highly []. I suppose you have not been to London this past summer or I might have hoped to have seen you. Our communications are far between and I have some fear that in this case it is my fault. Is your son in London + quite well? At [] the church is firm the vicar + [] are well - he gives it resolutely - Has got Darwin in the wrong socially-chastised firm + cut them - He told me to remind you of his love - for your [money???] I []... [Last] Thompson" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from The Rectory, Keston, Beckenham, Kent.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreLetter to Professor John Stevens about an upcoming visit from Joseph Hooker. Transcription: "Hoolher Dr. Kew March 27/87 Dear Henslow, I am here again all [] several + may [] [] to [] as even as [] to all your party that receives me. If possible I should like to return my admirably gray [] which would be something in hand to begin with, + as the matter is very complicated I quite expect to be called by the [] to a talk which could not be before Friday + Saturday. I shall be in [] all this day + tomorrow + would therefore propose going down to [] on [] (spending [] with my Mother here) any train will suit me + I suppose I can get [] at []. With [] regards Ever yrs Josh Hoolher" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Kew.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreLetter to Robert Stecher to request list of Darwin's Letters in the Stecher collection. Transcription: "By Air Mail Par Avion Air Letter Aerogramme Dr. Robert M. Stecher Metropolitan General Hospital 3395 Scranton Road Cleveland 9 Ohio U.S.A. Sir Gavin de Beer 39 Shrewsbury House Cheyne Walk London SW3 England The Royal Society Burlington House, London, W.1 Regent 3335 As from 39 Shrewbury House, Cheyne Walk, London S W 3 28 October 1960 Dear Dr Stecher, I am writing to thank you again for your kindness in taking time and trouble to telephone to me on your way through London when you only had so very little time to spare. I look forward very much to a meeting and longer conversation next time. In one of the letters which you wrote to me earlier, you very kindly offered to let me have a list of the Darwin letters in your magnificent collection. I should be extremely grateful if you could do this, because I am about to stack up me card- index of every dateable event in Darwin's life, and letters with their dates and the places from which they were written, the names of their addressees, and a very brief statement of the subject treated, are the material from which the man's running thoughts can be followed better than from any other source, If dates, place, addressee, and brief statement of subject, I think that I could make a real contribution to Darwinian studies, thanks to you. I might also be able to date undated letters for you, and to find the names of addressees where no specified. Even trivia are very valuable for these purposes With best wishes Yours sincerely [Cravin du Bur??]" Air letter, signed by sender. Sent from The Royalty Society, Burlington House, London.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreLetter to Robert Stecher discussing possible reasons for Charles Darwin's bad health. Transcription: "15/3/1948 Dear Dr. Stecher, It was a great pleasure to get your letter + to read the interesting excerpt from Dr. Alvarez's work. How good of you to have it typed, so that I can keep it with other reports I have of me grandfather's ill-health. Very many thanks. The doctors do not yet agree on this topic; Dr. Douglas Hubble (The Lancet Jan. 30-1943) considers that Charles' fear of his father, Robert, was an important factor in the neurosis to which he attributes his 40 years of ill-health. Dr. Buckstone Browne considers it a simple matter of stomach trouble which could have been cured by dieting! I think Dr. Alvarez's approach the right one; + have always seen in Rom Wedgwood (who, by the way was Emma's uncle, not brother) a neurotic state which together with the Darwin contribution through Dr. Erasmus, could be made to account too much. But without much more work it is impossible to say very definitely, + there are almost always stray uncles + aunts in every family tree to account for oddities! But if it is true that a poor nervous heredity came in on both sides of the family, it is indeed remarkable that with the frequent cousin marriages that took place for three generations, no more cases of nervous instability occurred. It is curious too to consider, that Tom Wedgwood, A brilliant mental endowment well above the average, infused into hopeless inertia, as did C.O's brother, Erasmus. But in C.O himself + two of his sons + one daughter. any nervous trouble that existed seems to have affected the stomach, + not to have impaired the will to work. I hope you will get your collection of caricatures + cartoons together; + what about the baldness? Perhaps you will be visiting England [], in which case I trust you will let us know, as it would be a great pleasure to see you again Yours Sincerely Nora Barlow Dr. Robert M. Stecher City Hospital Cleveland USA" Letter, signed by sender. Envelope included. Sent from Boswells, Wendover, Aylesbury.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreLetter to Grant Allen asking if there is any room in the theory of evolution for "designing mind... behind the first steps..." Transcription: "[filter] of Temperance Movement from Albert Wilberforce The Deanery, Southampton Aug 16 (1881), 20 [Dennis yard?] Mr Allen [] During my long spell of illness I have read among other things your quite delightful volume of articles under the title of "[The] Evolutionary at large" I have no [filter] to learn your writs a question + shall not be surprised if you are too busy to reply to me but it would interest me to know whether in your work of proving that the beauty order + [] of nature are due to other [] interaction of a vast number of natural laws and not to any distinct aesthetic intention on the part of nature you mean to exclude any aesthetic intention on the part of some initiating mind behind Nature. I have considered [] evolution if satisfactory, proved [] added to [] [] [] the [] are a majority of the [] [] that never have been [] the first steps and [] [] make out whether your conclusions leave room for the designer in other words where the [] excludes the idea of god, how does he get on [] [] With many apologies for my intrusion I am faithfully yours Albert Wilberforce" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from The Deanery, Southampton.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreLetter to Sir Crookes praising him for his papers on psychic force defending spiritualism. Wallace hopes that Crookes can soon exhibit his "self registering" experiments at the Royal Institution. Crookes wrote that Psychic force and modern spiritualism, a reply to the "Quarterly Review" and other critics, London 1872. Transcription: "1616. Hoolly House, Barkery, R. Oct. 8th. 1871 Dear Mr. Crookes Many thanks for the espy of your papers on Psychic Face. The 2nd is most admirable, both in the tone + spirit with which it answers [], + the irresistible force of its new facts. Spiritualists are greatly indebted to you for furnishing them, in your self registered experiments, with a formal answer to the "[]" objection, recently put forth by Balfour Stewart + still more recently made the subject of a book supposed to crush spiritualism, by []. I hope you may soon be able to exhibit these self registering experiments in the theatre of the Royal Listihition. yours very faithfully N. Crookes Esq. Alfred R. Wallace" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Holly House, Barking, E.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreLetter to Robert Mallet to say that the political impediments must be overcome to carry through his project of geologizing in the area of Naples, Italy. Transcription: "53 Harley St London [] 4.1058 My dear [sir] I have spoken with the Pres. I will a [] of the [] in favour of your proposition provided you can get Government countenance + help - I have said all I can The difficulties must be looked in the face - [Tim?] is of no value in the eyes of Neapoli- tans - To get competant interpreters [is] no easy matter - The first idea to be overcome is to show that you do not go to produce a political [court?] -quarter of which they, the authorities, live in dread. I was advised when there a month ago [] attempt to [geoligize?] south of Naples because of the state of the county, he I suspect that they alluded to California. S. of where you would have to go Difficulties may disappear when boldly confronted but I fear official + po- litical impediments where [] is so limited - However I thank the object so food + on that I only state the obstacles in the hope of their being overcome [] [] Cha Lyell R. Matthew Esq." Letter, signed by sender. Sent from 53 Harley St, London.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreLetter to John Brodie Innes thanking him for a donation of 10 pounds toward the church restoration fund. Transcription: "The Vicarage, Downe, Beckenham, Augt. 27. 1873 Dear Mr. Innes, I beg you will accept my best thanks for your Cheque of ten pounds to wards our Chutch res -toration fund, which I received today. Your counsel as to modifying the Choral Elemint in our Services has been followed + I trust the [] is appreciated. There is a sculptor [] [] of [] here, which which renders any high flights in this direction impossible. A family is coming to [] from Orpington-Church people, who will, I hope set a good example. I fancy there is a rather bitter attendance since the restoration, + I am glad that Mrs Smith's chil dren have been Christened +[] + they come to Churc. Thank you, the Vicarage house is comfortable, but we have already [] [] of what we may expect by way of wind in in less genial seasons. un fortunately, trees do not grow up in a day. I hope we shall be spared the in fliction of a Schoolboard which is quite unnecessa ry, besides being both troublesome + expensive. If we continue to raise 100 pounds [] by rate coluntarily, we may do so. We now get a [] grand of 33 pounds a yr which, will, of course, reduce our rate W 5. or 6. in the pound. I remain, yrs truly G.S. Ffinden" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from The Vicarage, Down, Beckenham, Kent.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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