Ɛpsilon

From Henry Wilson   28 November 1876

29 Baggot Street | Dublin.

28 Nov 1876

Dear Sir

I beg to forward you representations of one of the most remarkable human faces which has come under my notice knowing that you are interested in such subjects1

The man was a patient under my care in St Mark’s Ophthalmic Hospital suffering from Cataract in both eyes— Unfortunately there was no photograph done prior to operation when he was quite blind— the pictures I send you were done after he recovered the sight of both eyes & the expression of the face became much less animal. His age was 60 & he was considerably curved at the upper part of the spine & shoulders. The Brows were very prominent & also the under lip, he was 6 feet high

The measurements were taken by the late Sir Wm. Wilde2 who was much interested in the man’s appearance

FromMeatusto Glabella 5 inches
——to Vertex 534
""to occipitae Protuberariae 412
Between tips of auricles 5143

His father presented a similar appearance.

I am yours truly | H. Wilson

I should mention the man exhibits the ordinary intelligence of the Irish peasant

1
The photographs have not been found in the Darwin Archive–CUL; CD probably returned them. CD had written on human expression in Expression.
2
William Robert Wills Wilde, Wilson’s father, was the founder of St Mark’s Ophthalmic Hospital; he died in April 1876 (ODNB).
3
Meatus: the measurements suggest this is the opening of the ear. Glabella: the part of the forehead between the eyebrows and just above their level. Vertex: crown of the head. Occipitae protuberariae: the protuberances on the back of the head. Auricle: the external ear.

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-10691,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-10691