Ɛpsilon

From Rudolf Hennig1   28 May 1873

Breslau, Ring 59.

28th. of May 1873.

Sir!

the undersigned, a scholar of Haeckel and Gegenbaur is occupied, to write with some friends a popular “history of the progress of natural sciences since the last 50 years.2

This story will contain with biographical notices of the heroes of science the portraits of these great men.

Now I could not reach any original portrait of yours and it was therefore, that I allowed meself, to beg you, that you might delight me with any (photographical) portrait.

The eternalized Professor, Baron of Liebig at Munich did accept the dedication of the work and has supported me with much kindness in writing it.3

I hope, that you Sir, whose scientifical magnitude cannot be ackknowledged enough will not refuse, to accomplish my entreaty.

I do but regret, that I am not very well-skilled in English language for expressing better my veneration against you.

With greatest respect | I am | yours very affectionate | R. Hennig, apothecary.

1
Hennig has not been further identified.
2
Ernst Haeckel and Carl Gegenbaur taught anatomy and zoology in Jena. Hennig’s history has not been identified.
3
Justus von Liebig was professor of chemistry in Munich. He had died on 18 April 1873.

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-8925,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-8925