Darwin (Charles) Autograph Letter signed to William

Darwin (Charles, naturalist, geologist, and originator of the theory of natural selection, 1809-82) Autograph Letter signed to William Lonsdale, 1p., 8vo, n.p., n.d. [1839], "My dear Lonsdale I return Mr Whewell's address the word rules should be changed into customs I think", folds, laid in margins.

⁂ Darwin tones down criticism of the Royal Navy and Captain Fitzroy.

The context of the above letter to Lonsdale was that William Whewell, President of the Geological Society, gave an address in February 1839 in which he expressed disappointment that the publication of Darwin's Voyage of the Beagle was being delayed due to the navy's rules. Darwin wrote to Whewell asking him to tone down his criticism of the navy and Captain Fitzroy. At the same time Darwin wrote the above letter to William Lonsdale, assistant librarian at the Geological Society, asking him to change Whewell's reference to the "rules" of the navy to "customs" in the published address.

William Lonsdale (1794-1871), geologist; William Whewell (1794-1866), college head and writer on the history and philosophy of science.