Ɛpsilon

From Frederic Harrison to G. H. Darwin   13 June [1877]1

Reform Club, | Pall Mall. S. W.

June 13.

Dear Darwin,

Madame Michelet, widow of the French historian Jules Michelet, writes to me to try if there are not some readers of his in England who would contribute to the tomb she is raising over his grave in Père la Chaise.2 And she mentions your father as the Englishman whom Michelet most venerated, & of whom he oftenest spoke.3 She is very desirous that I should try to get his cooperation in the tribute of respect. Can you tell me if your father at all reciprocated the admiration of the old poet.

Carlyle,4 whom I have seen, approves of the scheme & will contribute

Yours ever truly Frederic Harrison

1
The year is established by the date of CD’s contribution to the Michelet memorial as recorded in his account books (see letter from Frederic Harrison to G. H. Darwin, 27 June [1877] and n. 2).
2
Jules Michelet’s widow was Athénaïs Michelet. Le Père Lachaise cemetery is in Paris.
3
See Correspondence vol. 20, letter from Jules Michelet, 15 November 1872. CD had also corresponded with Athénaïs Michelet in 1872 and 1873 about cats and her husband’s health (Correspondence vols. 20 and 21).

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-10999F,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-10999F