The Correspondence of Charles Darwin: Volume 12, 1864

The full, authoritative texts of all known and available letters to and from Charles Darwin during 1864.

Charles Darwin (Author), Frederick Burkhardt (Edited by), Duncan M. Porter (Edited by), Sheila Ann Dean (Edited by), Paul S. White (Edited by), Sarah Wilmot (Edited by)

9780521590341, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 12 July 2001

734 pages, 48 b/w illus.
24.2 x 16.7 x 4.6 cm, 1.18 kg

'… readers … not already familiar with this magnificent and monumental publication will find this volume and its predecessors a rare treasure. Not only does its scholarship show in its completeness, detailed background notes, and biographical summaries but it also makes fascinating reading.' P. Harper, Human Genetics

The Correspondence of Charles Darwin provides, for the first time, the full, authoritative texts of all known and available letters to and from Charles Darwin, the originator of the theory of evolution by natural selection. The letters are accompanied by detailed explanatory footnotes and relevant supplementary materials, and offer unparalleled insight into Darwin's experiments, thoughts, friendships, and family life. Volume 12 of this continuing series contains letters for 1864, when Darwin, despite continuing illness, was carrying out botanical experiments and working on his book, The Variation of Plants and Animals under Domestication. The volume also sheds light on the worldwide reception of Darwin's theory, with letters from correspondents in the United States and Germany, and also on the continuing controversy in Britain, especially with the award of the Royal Society's prestigious Copley Medal to Darwin at the end of the year.

List of illustrations
List of letters
Acknowledgements
List of provenances
Note on editorial policy
Darwin/Wedgewood genealogy
Abbreviations and symbols
The correspondence, 1864
Appendix I. Translations
Appendix II. Chronology
Appendix III. Presentation list for 'Three forms of Lythrum salicaria'
Appendix IV. Darwin and the Copley Medal
Manuscript alterations and comments
Biographical register and index to correspondents
Bibliography
Notes on manuscript sources
Index.

Subject Areas: Evolution [PSAJ], Biology, life sciences [PS], History of science [PDX]