To J. D. Hooker   11 September [1876]1

Down, | Beckenham, Kent. | Railway Station | Orpington. S.E.R.

Sept 11th

My dear old Friend

I am sure you will pity us, when you hear that Amy, Frank’s wife, was safely confined & was going on apparently quite well, when she was seized with convulsion which lasted for several hours, she then sunk into a stupor & I saw her expire at 7 oclock this morning.2 She was a most sweet gentle creature, with plenty of mind beneath, & they were most happy together. No pair could have been happier. Thank God she had no suffering & never knew that she was leaving Frank & all of us for ever. I cannot think what will become of Frank. She helped & encouraged him in his scientific work & whether he will ever have heart to go on again or what he will do I cannot conceive. My dear old Friend I know that you will forgive me pouring out my grief.

Yours affectionately | Ch. Darwin

1
The year is established by the reference to the death of Amy Darwin, Francis Darwin’s wife (ODNB s.v. Darwin, Francis).
2
Amy Darwin had given birth to a son, Bernard Darwin, on 7 September 1876 (ODNB).

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-10592,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-10592