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Darwin, Charles Robert, 1809-1882 (naturalist)

 Person

Staff Only

Dates

  • Existence: 1809 - 1882

Biography

Charles Robert Darwin (1809-82), naturalist and writer, was born in Shrewsbury and died at Down House, Downe in Kent in. The most celebrated naturalist of the nineteenth century, he graduated from the University of Cambridge in 1831. A grandson of Erasmus Darwin of Lichfied and of Josiah Wedgwood, he early in life showed an interest in collecting and natural history but it was to read medicine that he entered the University of Edinburgh in 1825, intending to follow his father Robert's career as a doctor. However, Darwin found himself uninspired and in some areas repelled by his studies, including that of geology, and left Edinburgh without graduating in 1827. With the intention of entering the church, Darwin came up to Cambridge in 1828, and though not finding the formal studies any more to his taste than those at Edinburgh he formed a friendship with the Professor of Botany, John Stevens Henslow, and enthusiastically began to study the subject. Having graduated, Darwin was recommended by Henslow to Robert Fitzroy, commander of HM Sloop 'Beagle', as a naturalist to sail on a circumnavigational voyage Fitzroy was planning. Returning from the Beagle voyage in 1836, Darwin enjoyed a publishing success with his volume "Journal of Researches" drawn from his collecting and observations undertaken during the Voyage of HMS Beagle. He married his cousin Emma Wedgwood in 1839 and in 1842 moved to the Kent village of Down, where he spent the rest of his life. It was at Down House that Darwin wrote "On the Origin of Species by means of Natural Selection", 1859, and a series of monographs in botany, entomology and anthropology of the greatest importance.

The catalogue to the Charles Darwin Papers: http://darwin.amnh.org/browse.php?mode=uc&pid=72001

Found in 27 Collections and/or Records:

  • 1
  • 2
 Item

Autograph note containing a bibliographic reference in the hand of Charles Robert Darwin, 1866-08-05 - 1866-08-10

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS DAR 185: 160
Scope and Contents

Scrap of paper in Charles Darwin's hand, containing a reference to Edward Hewitt's description of a Sebright hen (Journal of Horticulture and Cottage Gardener n.s. 6 (1864), pp. 37–8).

Dates: 1866-08-05 - 1866-08-10
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Some material in the Darwin archive is not available because it is unfit for production and access to some very fragile material may only be possible with support from specialist conservation staff. Please see descriptions for further details.
Found in: Cambridge University Library / Darwin Archive / Correspondence, largely with Darwin family members, and fragments or drafts relating to 'Origin' and 'Cirripedia'
 Item

Autograph note of queries about pigeons by Charles Robert Darwin, 1858-09

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS DAR 185: 156
Scope and Contents

One page of queries about pigeons written in Charles Darwin's hand, with responses written by W. B. Tegetmeier

Dates: 1858-09
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Some material in the Darwin archive is not available because it is unfit for production and access to some very fragile material may only be possible with support from specialist conservation staff. Please see descriptions for further details.
Found in: Cambridge University Library / Darwin Archive / Correspondence, largely with Darwin family members, and fragments or drafts relating to 'Origin' and 'Cirripedia'
 Item

Cartoon of Charles Robert Darwin, Christ's College, aged 62, 1871-09-30

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0265/UA/CAS Album 2/26
Scope and Contents From the Fonds: The collection comprises chiefly photographic portraits of members of the University or other individuals prominent in the mid to late nineteenth century, particularly clergymen. They were not necessarily members of the Society. A smaller quantity of portraits is in the form of engravings from paintings, drawings cut from books, magazine sketches/cartoons and photographs of paintings. Most items are inscribed with biographical information on the back, not all of which is accurate. Many are...
Dates: 1871-09-30
Conditions Governing Access: From the Management Group: The University Archives are generally freely available to the holder of a reader's ticket for the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library, West Road, Cambridge CB3 9DR. Restrictions on access are imposed on certain categories of sensitive record: financial, governmental and personal, by order of the originating body or under data protection legislation. Access information, including opening hours and how to obtain a reader's ticket, appears as part of the Library's web site (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in: Cambridge University Library / Cambridge University Archives / Student administration and support records / Cambridge Antiquarian Society portrait collection / Albums of portraits / Album of chromo-lithograph cartoons from Vanity Fair
 Item

'Charles Darwin; the Man and His Work' by Charles E. Raven

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/1849/FP/269/8/iii/k
Found in: Christ's College Archives / Fellows' Papers / 269 CHARLES EARLE RAVEN (1885-1964) / 8: SCIENCE AND RELIGION / Offprints and printed pages by Charles Raven
 Fonds

Charles Robert Darwin: Correspondence to J. Gould, Lucy Wedgwood, and Sophia Wedgwood

 Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.4251/329-336
Scope and Contents From the Fonds:

Artificial collection of single item or small collection accessions. Mainly correspondence but includes other papers.

Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in: Cambridge University Library / Miscellaneous Accessions
 Class

Charles Robert Darwin: juvenilia and Darwin family letters, c.1818-1959

 Class
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS DAR 271
Scope and Contents

A collection of juvenilia and Darwin family letters. Includes early letters and school notes from a young Charles Darwin, letters from Charles and Emma Darwin to their son, Francis Darwin, letters to Francis from his first wife, Amy Ruck, and family letters and drawings from Bernard Darwin.

Dates: c.1818-1959
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Some material in the Darwin archive is not available because it is unfit for production and access to some very fragile material may only be possible with support from specialist conservation staff. Please see descriptions for further details.
Found in: Cambridge University Library / Darwin Archive
 Fonds

Charles Robert Darwin: Letter to unidentified correspondent

 Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.4251/337
Scope and Contents From the Fonds:

Artificial collection of single item or small collection accessions. Mainly correspondence but includes other papers.

Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in: Cambridge University Library / Miscellaneous Accessions
 Item

Clipped address label from a parcel containing skulls, sent from Charles Robert Darwin to William Bernhardt Tegetmeier; probably written at Down, Kent, 1864 - 1867

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS DAR 185: 159
Scope and Contents

Scrap of paper cut from blue paper. Addressed to William Bernhard Tegetmeier, it lists the contents of the original enclosure as skulls. In Charles Darwin's hand. Darwin sent Tegetmeier bird skulls in both 1864 and 1876.

Dates: 1864 - 1867
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Some material in the Darwin archive is not available because it is unfit for production and access to some very fragile material may only be possible with support from specialist conservation staff. Please see descriptions for further details.
Found in: Cambridge University Library / Darwin Archive / Correspondence, largely with Darwin family members, and fragments or drafts relating to 'Origin' and 'Cirripedia'
 Fonds

Correspondence of James Dixon (1813-1896), 1849-1884

 Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.6604
Scope and Contents

Correspondence, in various hands. The letters deal for the most part with printers' and other errors discovered by James Dixon in the published works of the various correspondents. The correspondents include J. Dixon; T.B. Macaulay, Lord Macaulay; J.B. Marsden; R. Martineau; Mrs Gaskell; W. Whewell; J. Hutchison; F.O. Morris; W.E.H. Lecky; J. Bigelow; J. Morley, Viscount Morley; M. Pattison; C.R. Darwin; M. Arnold; E. Dowden; A. Austin; G.A. Sala; J.A. Froude; M. Napier; and H.Anstey.

Dates: 1849-1884
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in: Cambridge University Library / James Dixon: correspondence
 File

Correspondence on triangulation and geodesy, 1896 - 1900

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 15/118
Scope and Contents Correspondence regarding Arc of Meridian work, triangulation and geodesy, divided into the following sections:'Correspondence with Surveyor-General's Department Cape Town': letters relating to D. Gill's annual reports and the geodetic survey, 1898-1900.'Completion of African Arc of Meridian': letters of 1898-1899, including D. Gill's application to the Royal Geographical Society for assistance in completing a geodetic survey of South Africa from South to North along the 30th...
Dates: 1896 - 1900
Conditions Governing Access: From the Management Group: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in: Cambridge University Library / Royal Greenwich Observatory Archives / Papers of the Cape Observatory
 Fonds

Darwin Archive

 Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS DAR
Scope and Contents The Darwin archive comprises the personal and scientific working papers of Charles Robert Darwin (1809-1882), together with correspondence and papers of many members of the wider Darwin family. Darwin’s scientific papers include his significant corpus of work on species, evolution and natural selection, and papers relating to the voyage of HMS Beagle, 1831-6. This material consists of: experimental and theoretical notebooks; draft essays; loose notes and scraps of notes, generally...
Dates: [1662- 1980s], bulk 19th century
Conditions Governing Access: Some material in the Darwin archive is not available because it is unfit for production and access to some very fragile material may only be possible with support from specialist conservation staff. Please see descriptions for further details.
Found in: Cambridge University Library
 Fonds

Darwin Correspondence Project Archive

 Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.10447
Scope and Contents

The archive is divided into two sections, covering the Bennington, Vermont, office and the Cambridge, UK, office. There may therefore be some duplication. Most aspects of the DCP's activities are covered, including appeals for funding, the search for letters, editorial policy, early computerisation, reports, publicity, outreach, and correspondence.

Dates: Majority of material found within 1960-2022
Conditions Governing Access: Researchers wishing to consult this collection will be required to complete a data release form. Additionally, some material is closed following the Archive's confidentiality guidelines for sensitive data (in compliance with the Data Protection Act (2018)). Some material is closed under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act, 2000: Section 41 information given in confidence. Please see individual catalogue entries for details.
Found in: Cambridge University Library
 Fonds

Fellows' Papers

 Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/1849/FP
Dates: Accumulation: Majority of material found within 1550 - 2020
Found in: Christ's College Archives
 Item

Final page of an incomplete letter from Charles Robert Darwin to William Bernhardt Tegetmeier, 1868-05-20 - 1868-09-03

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS DAR 185: 162
Scope and Contents

Final page of a letter sent from Charles Robert Darwin to William Bernhard Tegetmeier, probably after mid-May 1868. He asks for information about Hamburgh poultry.

Dates: 1868-05-20 - 1868-09-03
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Some material in the Darwin archive is not available because it is unfit for production and access to some very fragile material may only be possible with support from specialist conservation staff. Please see descriptions for further details.
Found in: Cambridge University Library / Darwin Archive / Correspondence, largely with Darwin family members, and fragments or drafts relating to 'Origin' and 'Cirripedia'
 Item

Letter from Charles Robert Darwin to William Bernhardt Tegetmeier; probably written at Down, Kent, 1855-09

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS DAR 185: 154
Scope and Contents

Incomplete autograph letter from Charles Robert Darwin to William Bernhard Tegetmeier. It lists pigeon varieties Darwin would like to acquire for his research.

Dates: 1855-09
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Some material in the Darwin archive is not available because it is unfit for production and access to some very fragile material may only be possible with support from specialist conservation staff. Please see descriptions for further details.
Found in: Cambridge University Library / Darwin Archive / Correspondence, largely with Darwin family members, and fragments or drafts relating to 'Origin' and 'Cirripedia'
 Item

Letter from Charles Robert Darwin to William Bernhardt Tegetmeier; probably written at Down, Kent, 1875-08-20

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS DAR 185: 164
Scope and Contents

Letter sent from Charles Robert Darwin to William Bernhardt Tegetmeier, thanking Tegetmeier for sending him a copy of Pheasants for Coverts and Aviaries (1873).

Dates: 1875-08-20
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Some material in the Darwin archive is not available because it is unfit for production and access to some very fragile material may only be possible with support from specialist conservation staff. Please see descriptions for further details.
Found in: Cambridge University Library / Darwin Archive / Correspondence, largely with Darwin family members, and fragments or drafts relating to 'Origin' and 'Cirripedia'
 File

Papers on telegraphs and telescopes, 1859 - 1860

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 6/473
Scope and Contents Papers concerned principally with telegraphs and tests on Admiralty telescopes. The material on telegraphs includes tests and observations of deflections by C.F. Varley; a map of telegraph lines; a report on the South Australian telegraph; and a newspaper article on the Atlantic cable. The papers concerning Admiralty tests on telescopes include Airy's reports on his findings and correspondence with R.S. Dundas. Other material includes A. Sedgwick writing on Darwin's Theory in 'The Cambridge...
Dates: 1859 - 1860
Conditions Governing Access: From the Management Group: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in: Cambridge University Library / Royal Greenwich Observatory Archives / Papers of George Airy
 File

Papers on the Cambridge University Association, 1882 - 1927

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 7/250
Scope and Contents Notice of meeting of the Provisional Organizing Committee, 1899.List of members of the Provisional Organizing Committee, 1899.Report of the meeting of the Provisional Organizing Committee, 1899.List of original members of the Cambridge University Association, 1899.Undated list of the benefactors to the University.List of original members, 1900.Statement of the needs of the University, in three booklets, 1900.Notice of the King becoming...
Dates: 1882 - 1927
Conditions Governing Access: From the Management Group: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in: Cambridge University Library / Royal Greenwich Observatory Archives / Papers of William Christie
 Item

Partial envelope addressed to William Berhardt Tegetmeierfrom Charles Robert Darwin, 1868-02-21

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS DAR 185: 161
Scope and Contents

Front of an enveloped addressed to W. B. Tegetmeier at the Field Office, 346 Strand, from Charles Darwin at Down, Kent

Dates: 1868-02-21
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Some material in the Darwin archive is not available because it is unfit for production and access to some very fragile material may only be possible with support from specialist conservation staff. Please see descriptions for further details.
Found in: Cambridge University Library / Darwin Archive / Correspondence, largely with Darwin family members, and fragments or drafts relating to 'Origin' and 'Cirripedia'
 Item

Partial letter sent from Charles Robert Darwin to William Bernhardt Tegetmeier; probably written at Down, Kent, 1861-03-31

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS DAR 185: 157
Scope and Contents

First page of an incomplete letter from Charles Darwin to William Bernhard Tegetmeier discussing the purchase of angora rabbits

Dates: 1861-03-31
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Some material in the Darwin archive is not available because it is unfit for production and access to some very fragile material may only be possible with support from specialist conservation staff. Please see descriptions for further details.
Found in: Cambridge University Library / Darwin Archive / Correspondence, largely with Darwin family members, and fragments or drafts relating to 'Origin' and 'Cirripedia'
 Item

Photograph of Charles Robert Darwin, Christ's College, aged about 70, 1879

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0265/UA/CAS I6
Scope and Contents From the Fonds: The collection comprises chiefly photographic portraits of members of the University or other individuals prominent in the mid to late nineteenth century, particularly clergymen. They were not necessarily members of the Society. A smaller quantity of portraits is in the form of engravings from paintings, drawings cut from books, magazine sketches/cartoons and photographs of paintings. Most items are inscribed with biographical information on the back, not all of which is accurate. Many are...
Dates: 1879
Conditions Governing Access: From the Management Group: The University Archives are generally freely available to the holder of a reader's ticket for the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library, West Road, Cambridge CB3 9DR. Restrictions on access are imposed on certain categories of sensitive record: financial, governmental and personal, by order of the originating body or under data protection legislation. Access information, including opening hours and how to obtain a reader's ticket, appears as part of the Library's web site (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in: Cambridge University Library / Cambridge University Archives / Student administration and support records / Cambridge Antiquarian Society portrait collection / Portraits sized 4 x 2 1/2 inches
 Item

Postcard sent from Charles Robert Darwin to William Bernhardt Tegetmeier, 1872-08-27

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS DAR 185: 163
Scope and Contents

Postcard sent from Charles Robert Darwin to William Bernhardt Tegetmeier

Dates: 1872-08-27
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Some material in the Darwin archive is not available because it is unfit for production and access to some very fragile material may only be possible with support from specialist conservation staff. Please see descriptions for further details.
Found in: Cambridge University Library / Darwin Archive / Correspondence, largely with Darwin family members, and fragments or drafts relating to 'Origin' and 'Cirripedia'
 Item

Postscript to a letter from Charles Robert Darwin to William Bernhardt Tegetmeier; probably written at Down, Kent, 1857-05-18 - 1857-06-18

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS DAR 185: 155
Scope and Contents

Postscript to an autograph letter from Charles Robert Darwin to William Bernhard Tegetmeier listing varieties of pigeon that Darwin could send to Tegetmeier.

Dates: 1857-05-18 - 1857-06-18
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Some material in the Darwin archive is not available because it is unfit for production and access to some very fragile material may only be possible with support from specialist conservation staff. Please see descriptions for further details.
Found in: Cambridge University Library / Darwin Archive / Correspondence, largely with Darwin family members, and fragments or drafts relating to 'Origin' and 'Cirripedia'
 Item

Printed Darwin memorial subcription appeal, 1882

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS DAR 185: 170
Scope and Contents

Printed subscription appeal for the Darwin Memorial Fund, circulated by the Hon. Secretaries Thomas George Bonney and Patrick Edward Dove.

Dates: 1882
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Some material in the Darwin archive is not available because it is unfit for production and access to some very fragile material may only be possible with support from specialist conservation staff. Please see descriptions for further details.
Found in: Cambridge University Library / Darwin Archive / Correspondence, largely with Darwin family members, and fragments or drafts relating to 'Origin' and 'Cirripedia'
 Item

Privately printed pamphlet protesting the cruelty of steel vermin-traps, 1863-07

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS DAR 185: 165
Scope and Contents

Four page printed pamphlet circulated by Emma Darwin criticising the use by gamekeepers of steel traps to catch vermin. Privately printed by E. Strong of Bromley. The same text appeared as a letter to Gardeners Chronicle from Charles Darwin on 29 August 1863.

Dates: 1863-07
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Some material in the Darwin archive is not available because it is unfit for production and access to some very fragile material may only be possible with support from specialist conservation staff. Please see descriptions for further details.
Found in: Cambridge University Library / Darwin Archive / Correspondence, largely with Darwin family members, and fragments or drafts relating to 'Origin' and 'Cirripedia'
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Additional filters:

ARCHON code (for CUL materials)
Archives and MSS Dept. (GBR/0012) 20
Royal Greenwich Observatory (GBR/0180) 3
University Archives (GBR/0265) 2
 
Type
Archival Object 24
Collection 3
 
Subject
Pigeons 4
Poultry (birds) 2
Anatomical specimens 1
Animal welfare 1
Ashford 1
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Atlantic Ocean 1
Beckenham 1
Birmingham 1
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Downe, Kent 1
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History of science 1
London 1
Longitude 1
Lowestoft 1
Manchester 1
New York 1
Nunburnholme 1
Oxford 1
Printing 1
Proofreading 1
Publishing 1
Rabbits 1
South Australia 1
Telegraphy 1
Telescopes 1
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