Search: Murray, John (b) in addressee 
1850-1859::1859 in date 
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DCP-LETT-2441

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
John Murray
Date:
31 Mar [1859]
Source of text:
National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42153 ff.12–13)
Summary:

CD has heard from Lyell that JM is inclined to publish his work on the origin of species. Will send some chapters as soon as copyist has finished. Sends list of 12 chapters. It will be a popular abstract of more than 20 years’ work. It ought to be popular with scientific and semi-scientific readers.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-2445

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
John Murray
Date:
2 Apr [1859]
Source of text:
National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42153 ff.18–19)
Summary:

Accepts JM’s terms for publication of Origin. If, on reading the MS, JM thinks it will not sell, CD frees him from the offer. Will send chapters soon so he can judge. Though some parts are dry and abstruse, CD thinks it will be interesting to "those who care for the curious problem of the origin of all animate forms".

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-2447

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
John Murray
Date:
5 Apr [1859]
Source of text:
National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff.35–35A)
Summary:

Sends title and first three chapters [of Origin]. Thinks first chapter will interest the public and is sure views are original. If JM thinks otherwise, he should freely reject the work. Chapter 2 is dull and abstruse, chapter 3 is plain and interesting.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-2455

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
John Murray
Date:
29 Apr [1859]
Source of text:
National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff.38–39)
Summary:

Will send first six chapters [of Origin] for the press. Sends data on size of MS and book. His "beau ideal" for type and size is Lyell’s Manual [of geology] 1st ed.

Important to his health to get the work printed quickly. Must leave home soon to stay for months at a water-cure establishment.

Asks printer to send a proof-sheet a day until he gets well ahead.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-2457A

From:
Whitwell Elwin
To:
John Murray
Date:
3 May 1859
Source of text:
National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms. 42197)
Summary:

Charles Lyell has asked WE to pass his opinions on the MS of Origin to CD via Murray. WE is convinced of the value of CD’s researches but "to put forth the theory without the evidence", as in the MS, "would do grievous injustice to his views". The omission of these facts reduces both the philosophical and popular value of the work, by virtue of its dryness.

Supports Charles Lyell’s suggestion that CD should first publish his observations on pigeons with a theoretical outline, for "[e]very body is interested in pigeons". Such a work would generate wider interest and be better understood. A subsequent, larger book would then be approached with impartiality "not to say favour" by a wider public.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-2459

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
John Murray
Date:
6 May [1859]
Source of text:
National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff.57–57A)
Summary:

CD is convinced that the suggestions [for the Origin?] of both Lyell and Whitwell Elwyn are impracticable.

Will send first six chapters of MS next week. Has taken such pains with it that he hopes corrections will not be heavy.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-2460

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
John Murray
Date:
10 May [1859]
Source of text:
National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42153 ff.56–57)
Summary:

Sends first six chapters [of Origin] for the press. Asks JM to urge printer to keep well ahead of CD so as not to waste time. This is important for his health’s sake.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-2462

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
John Murray
Date:
14 May [1859]
Source of text:
National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff.40–40A)
Summary:

Approves specimen sheet [of Origin]. Sorry book will be so long. Has now written half of last chapter; it is as long as his estimate of the entire chapter. Now thinks it will run to 6000 or 7000 words. Will do his utmost to improve his style. Anxious to publish soon; he knows of two men already writing on the subject, starting from his Linnean Society paper ["On the tendency of species to form varieties", Collected papers 2: 3–19]. Will send a diagram for the book.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-2463A

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
John Murray
Date:
18 May [1859]
Source of text:
John Wilson (dealer) (no date)
Summary:

His health has suddenly failed. He is leaving home for one week’s rest.

Has informed William Clowes that he will begin correcting on the 27th.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-2465

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
John Murray
Date:
31 May [1859]
Source of text:
National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff.41–42)
Summary:

CD’s diagram [for chapter on "Divergence of character", Origin] is indispensable.

Finds he will have to make many corrections, his text is so obscure.

A week of hydropathy at Moor Park has done him a world of good.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-2469

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
John Murray
Date:
14 June [1859]
Source of text:
National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff.43–44)
Summary:

Finds style [of Origin] incredibly bad; corrections are very heavy. Supposes it was due to his attention being fixed on general lines of argument and not on detail. Wishes to share expense of corrections.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-2477

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
John Murray
Date:
25 [July 1859]
Source of text:
National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff.36–37)
Summary:

Sends five sheets [of Origin] to printer. Incapable of forming an opinion, but thinks he has the style "fairly good and clear". Cannot conjecture if book will be successful enough to satisfy JM.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-2484

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
John Murray
Date:
31 Aug [1859]
Source of text:
National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff.58–59)
Summary:

Sheets [of Origin] up to p. 240 are ready. Asks how many copies and how soon JM will publish. Hopes as soon as possible because of his health. Bitterly disappointed at delay he has caused.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-2487

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
John Murray
Date:
2 Sept [1859]
Source of text:
National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff.45–46)
Summary:

Delighted with JM’s suggestions. Asks JM to send sheets to Lyell.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-2488

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
John Murray
Date:
10 Sept [1859]
Source of text:
National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42153 ff.20–21)
Summary:

On title of Origin, suggests omitting word "Varieties" altogether if JM does not object. Last proofs corrected, but revises still to do.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-2506

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
John Murray
Date:
15 Oct [1859]
Source of text:
DAR R 143 (with R. F. Cooke correspondence)
Summary:

Discusses presentation copies [of the Origin].

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-2508

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
John Murray
Date:
20 Oct [1859]
Source of text:
National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff.94–95)
Summary:

Cannot suggest an appropriate device or ornament for cover [of Origin].

Will send a list for distribution of author’s copies as soon as JM tells him approximate trade price.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-2514

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
John Murray
Date:
[3 Nov 1859]
Source of text:
National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 f.49)
Summary:

Infinitely pleased and proud of the appearance of his "child" [Origin, 1st ed.]. Thinks JM has been overgenerous in paying for his corrections. Offers to divide cost and regrets sending such badly composed copy.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-2531

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
John Murray
Date:
14 Nov [1859]
Source of text:
National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff.54–56)
Summary:

Mme Belloc wishes to translate CD’s book on species into French. Asks JM to communicate with her. CD anxious to have his views known and discussed. Wishes there could be a German translation.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-2549

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
John Murray
Date:
24 Nov [1859]
Source of text:
National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff.70–71)
Summary:

CD is astonished at sale of Origin [to booksellers].

Arranges to start new edition immediately. Cannot change much [while at Ilkley Wells], nor work rapidly because of health. Relieved that JM has no cause to repent of publishing Origin.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
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