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The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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 Lord [?], 12237](https://digital.case.edu/sites/default/files/styles/islandora_imagecache_image_style_medium/public/externals/a651eb71b5447a1cbeb53c00a4bb5350.jpg?itok=mJUNYpRd&pid=ksl:ditalldar00162&iic=true)
Show moreLetter pasted on page from a scrapbook which on the other side has autographs of various persons. Requests information on the character of G. Sleigh, and "Whether he is likely to prove a useful gardener". Letter sent from Down, Beckenham, Kent Transcription: "Sept. 26 1879 Down, Beckenham, Kent Railway Station Orpington.S.E.R. My friend I should be much obliged if you would be so good as to inform me with [] to the character of G. Sleight, who has been in your [] service. I wish to learn whether he is sober, honest + industrious, + whether he is likely to [] a useful [], as far as you may [] [] to form an opinion. My name, as a fellow [] in natural science will perhaps be known to your []; + I have the [] to remain your obediant servant Charles Darwin"
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreLetter to autograph collector. Written in pencil: 'F6102 $49.50' Letter from Down, Beckenham, Kent. Transcription: "Dec 21. 1876 Down, Beckenham, Kent. Railway Station Orpington.S.E.R. Dear Sir As you have been so considerate as to send me an addressed envelope, I have the pleasure to send you my signature Dear Sir yours faithfully Charles Darwin"
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreOrders a sheet of gold-beater’s skin for plant experiments. Letter sent from Down, Beckenham, Kent. Transcription: "Jan. 23rd c1880 Down, Beckenham, Kent. Railway Station Orpington.S.E.R. Dear Sir I [] (I believe from you) many years ago a small sheet of "Superior Gold-Beaters Skin: Writings Patent." It is used like [] [], but I want a sheet for [] []. If any other similar sheets are sold which are transparent + thinner + more [], they wd be [] more useful to me. When you send me the sheet of Gold-beaters skin, will you kindly look + see if any sheet is more flexible + thinner than the others, for it has to be [] [] [] [] stem of plants. Dear sir yours faithfully Ch. Darwin"
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreWill not require assistance of correspondent’s cousin in correcting his MS [2d ed. of Descent]. His son [George] will undertake it. Letter from Down, Beckenham, Kent Transcription: "Nov. 28" c.1874 My dear Sir You will remember my consulting you about some one to correct my M.S. + you recommending your []. When I got him, I thought of my second son, who is quite capable of undertaking the work + would like to do 10, 10 [] I shall have no occasion to ask for the [] of your []. Pray excuse the [] + [] yours vy faithfully Ch. Darwin"
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreDarwin states that he has no objection to having his name appear as an honorary member. Letter from Down, Beckenham, Kent Transcription: "Jan 3. 74 Dear Sir, I can of course have us objection, if the committee think fit, for my name to appear as an honorary member; but as I do not pay any subscription, it ought not appear as an ordinary member, in as much as this would imply that I knew something of the affairs of the Club. I have the honour to remain Dear Sir yours faithfully + obliged Ch. Darwin"
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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![Letter from Francis Darwin to [Mme. Jout]](https://digital.case.edu/sites/default/files/styles/islandora_imagecache_image_style_medium/public/externals/b22f45e3d1739ceac527079c355c5be4.jpg?itok=cyBIw37t&pid=ksl:ditalldar00080&iic=true)
Show moreA letter to [Mme. Jout] with a list of novels recommended by Emma Darwin and includes a photograph of Charles Darwin. Transcription: "Strausburg July 16/81 Dear Mme Just. I am glad to be able to send you the most recent photograph of my father; it is I think a very good likeness. I also enclose a list of novels recommended by my mother; she has a good deal of ex= perience in novel reading as she reads alout to my father all the best ones that are published. The three American novels by Howell are extremely pleasant, the name of one which I have corrected so badly ought to be "The Lady of the Aroostook". Please let me thank you + Prof Just for the very pleasant day which I spend at [] yours very truly Francis Darwin"
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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![Letter from Charles Darwin to [Grant Allen], 13055](https://digital.case.edu/sites/default/files/styles/islandora_imagecache_image_style_medium/public/externals/ca9028948d5c75f872d58908a029b040.jpg?itok=r0k5_s7I&pid=ksl:ditalldar00169&iic=true)
Show moreDarwin thanks [Grant] for Evolutionist at large [1881]. He envies Grant Allen's power of writing, though he find some statements are too bold, but several of the views are new to Darwin and seem “extremely probable”. Letter from Down, Beckenham, Kent. Transcription: "Fed 17th 1887 Down, Beckenham, Kent. Railway Station Orpington.S.E.R. My dear Sir I have this minute read the last word of the "Evolutionist at Large"; + I hope that you will not think me troublesome if I tell you how much the whole has pleased me. Who can tell how many young persons your chapters may bring up to be good working evolutionists! I quite envy your [] power of writing, your words flow so easily, clearly + pleasantly. Some of your statements seemed to me [] too bold; but I do not know that this much signifies in a work of this kind + may perhaps be an advantage. Several of your views are quite new to me + seem extremely []. But I had not intended to scribble so much. One chief object in my writing has been to ask you, [] are your are so send me whenever you can spare time a vy few times, saying how your health is; for I was grieved to hear but wanted a vy poor account of your health. My dear sir yours sincerely Ch.Darwin P.S. I have forgotten your address + have to send this to Publisher"
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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![Letter from Charles Darwin to [Grant Allen], 13594](https://digital.case.edu/sites/default/files/styles/islandora_imagecache_image_style_medium/public/externals/c52cffcfe787bf7d709e119437e2830d.jpg?itok=wrWnLzeo&pid=ksl:ditalldar00166&iic=true)
Show moreThanks Grant Allen for his article, "The daisy's pedigree", Cornhill Mag. 44 (1881): 168–81. Darwin writes that the evolutionary argument that petals are transformed stamens is “striking and apparently valid”. He doubts petals are naturally yellow. A. R. Wallace’s “generalization about much modified parts being splendidly coloured” is also dubious except as both are caused by sexual selection. . Letter from Down, Beckenham, Kent. Transcription: "Jan 2nd 188[9] Down, Beckenham, Kent. Railway Station Orpington.S.E.R. My dear sir I thank you for sending me the [], as your article has interested me much. Many years ago I thought it highly probable that petals were in all cases transformed stamens. I forgot ([] the water-lily) what made me think so; but I am sure that your evolutionary argument never occurred to me, as it is too striking + apparently valid ever to be forgotten. I cannot help [] about petals being naturally yellow. I speak only from vague memory, but I think that the filaments are generally white or almost white, + [surely] it is the filament which is [] with the petal. I remember some [] purple + bright yellow filaments, not [] seemed to me to [] by adding [] to the under []. It is not the pollen alone which renders most [] a [] yellow at a cursory glance? You my pupils like to hear that I have described cases (+ others have been described) where an [] [] has rendered a flower double. I can hardly [] that any great change of conditions (which has so [] a tending to cause []) [] to renders a flower double. [] [] breeding here a slight tendency in this direction, as has according [], a hybrid origin. With many thanks for the pleasure which your article has given me, I remain yours sincerely Ch. Darwin I suppose that you know Hr. Muller's [], as it contains much about colour of flowers + mean of variety insects. I must doubt Wallace's [] about much mobilized parts being splendidly coloured, except"
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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![Letter from Charles Darwin to [H. W. Bates], 12951](https://digital.case.edu/sites/default/files/styles/islandora_imagecache_image_style_medium/public/externals/c97d8c189de1b73f09a45deb8011f4b3.jpg?itok=bNINo_n1&pid=ksl:ditalldar00170&iic=true)
Show moreDarwin informs Henry Walter Bates of arrangements for signing the memorial to W. E. Gladstone [for a civil pension for Wallace]. Darwin has got Duke of Argyll to write to Gladstone in favor of it. Letter from Down, Beckenham, Kent. Transcription: "Private Huxley thinks that the Presidents had better sign in a body, so that the memorial shall be sent to you afterwards for your signature with an envelope addressed to Sir J. [], if you will forward it without delay- C.D. As I do not know [] [] I have not enclosed an envelope: would you write outside the envelope "To be forwarded if not at home"; for it is important that the [] it? read me [] before Parliament meets- I have got the Duke of [] to write a private letter to me G. in form of the []."
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreAlarm over Wallace’s memorial. Darwin asks Henry Walter Bates if he has received it and forwarded it to Hooker. Wanted to get it to Gladstone before Parliament met. Letter from Down, Beckenham, Kent. Transcription: "Jan. 3rd 1887 (After our 2nd Post) Down, Beckenham, Kent. Railway Station Orpington.S.E.R. My dear Bates I am rather alarmed about the memorial for Wallace. Mr [] wrote that he had forwarded it to you. Have you received it + on what day did you forward it to Sir J. []? Pray forgive me troubling you. I am much disappointed in not having been able to just [] M. into [] [] hands some days before [] of Parliament. yours vy sincerely Ch. Darwin"
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreGladstone has recommended yearly pension of £200 for Wallace. Letter from Down, Beckenham, Kent. Transcription: "Jan 7" 1881 Down, Beckenham, Kent. Railway Station Orpington.S.E.R. My dear Bates I write one line, as I am sure that this news will please you, [] that I have just received a note from [] himself, [] that he "will recommend Mr. Wallace for a [] of 200 pounds a year." The memorial was send in very on to 5" + answer received today! Wonderfully kind of [filter]. I am of writing notes, though beyond measure pleased. Ever yours Ch. Darwin"
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreDarwin asks Henry Walter Bates to sign and return F.R.S. certificate for Raphael Meldola; if he objects to signing, Darwin will not mention the fact. Letter from Down, Beckenham, Kent. Transcription: "Feb. 17" 1882 Down, Beckenham, Kent. Railway Station Orpington.S.E.R. My dear bates Will you be so good as to sign the enclosed certificate for Mr. [], who does not expect to be elected until 2 or 3 years have elapsed? Please return in enclosed envelope. But if for any reason you object, I will mention this past to no one. I shall ask Sir J. [] if he [] sign _ then send it in to []. My dear Bates, yours very sincerely Ch. Darwin"
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreDarwin thanks for assistance. He will write fully to Wallace tomorrow. Letter from Down, Beckenham, Kent. Transcription: "?29A Down, Beckenham, Kent. [] 16 My dear Bates Very many thanks your all your kind []. I will write [] in full detail to Wallace + I hope all will go smooethly. yours very sincerely Ch. Darwin"
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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![Letter from Charles Darwin to [H.G. Bronn], 2940](https://digital.case.edu/sites/default/files/styles/islandora_imagecache_image_style_medium/public/externals/4cd1555c6203c6cd8f42ef52ce9527f2.jpg?itok=4ELZETEx&pid=ksl:ditalldar00175&iic=true)
Show moreDear & much respected Sir I ought to apologise for troubling you; but I have at last carefully read your excellent criticisms on my Book. I agree with much of them, & wholly with your final sentence. The objections & difficulties, which may be urged against my view, are indeed heavy enough almost to break my back; but it is not yet broken! You put very well & very fairly that I can in no one instance explain the course of modification in any particular instance. I could make some sort of answer to your case of the two Rats; & might I not turn round, & ask him, who believes in the separate creation of each species, why one Rat has a longer tail or shorter ears than another? I presume that most people would say that these characters were of some use or stood in some connection with other parts; & if so, natural selection could act on them. But as you put the case, it tells well against me. You argue most justly against my question, whether the many species were created as eggs or as mature; I certainly had no right to ask that question. I fully agree that there might have been as well 100,000 creations as 8 or 10, or only one. But then on the view of 8 or 10 creations, (i.e. as many as there are distinct types of structure) we can on my view understand the homological & embryological resemblances of all the organisms of each type; & on this ground almost alone I disbelieve in the innumerable acts of creation. There are only two points on which, I think, you have misunderstood me: I refer only to one Glacial period as affecting the distribution of organic beings: I did not wish even to allude to the doubtful evidence of Glacial action in the Permian & Carboniferous periods. Secondly, I do not believe that the process of development has always been carried on at the same rate in all different parts of the world. Australia is opposed to such belief. The nearly contemporaneous equal development in past periods I attribute to the slow migration of the higher & more dominant forms over the whole world; & not to independent acts of development in different parts. Lastly, permit me to add that I cannot see the force of your objection, that nothing is effected until the origin of life is explained: surely it is worth while to attempt to follow out the action of Electricity, though we know not what electricity is. If you should at any time do me the favour of writing to me, I should be very much obliged if you would inform me, whether you have yourself examined Brehm’s sub-species of Birds; for I have looked through some of his writings, but have never met an Ornithologist who believed in his works. Are these sub-species really characteristic of certain different regions of Germany? Should you write, I should much like to hear how the German Edition sells. With my once more sincerely expressed gratitude & with entire respect I beg leave to remain Dear & Honoured Sir Yours sincerely & respectfully Charles Darwin Letter from Down, Beckenham, Kent.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreDarwin asks Grant Allen if he has seen an article in 'Revue Scientifique' (dated May 24, 1879) which discusses Allen's book 'Colour-sense' favorably. Postcard from Down, Beckenham, Kent. Transcription: "Grant Allen Esq 22. Bonchard [Pl.] New Kensington London Have you seen an article on you by a [] man, [], in Revue Scientifique no. 17" May 24" 79?- It has pleased me greatly on your account. I suppose you [] easily see it in London; [] I could [] it you. No answer necessary C.D. May 26"
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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