Charles Darwin Superb Letter About Mentor Charles Lyell

DARWIN, CHARLES. Letter Signed, “Charles Darwin”, with autograph additions, 3 pp., on Down letterhead, December 26, [1876].

A LETTER ABOUT DARWIN’S MENTOR. Darwin here responds to Katharine Murray Lyell’s request for any correspondence that may have that passed between him and Charles Lyell. Mrs. Lyell was Lyell’s daughter-in-law, and she was organizing material for the projected biography of Charles Lyell, “Life, Letters, and Journals of Sir Charles Lyell,” which ultimately appeared in 1881. Lyell was Darwin’s mentor and later his good friend. Lyell’s writings on geology heavily influenced him, and Darwin himself began his scientific life as a geologist (on board the Beagle).

In responding, Darwin states: “I used formerly to burn all letters excepting a few, and such as I have kept from Lyell I now send. From the year 1862 I preserved all letters, and wish I had done so earlier. I am thus enabled to send all the letters from Lyell from 1862 to 1869 inclusive.” In an autograph postscript Darwin indicates that he is sending the letters in 2 parcels (“P.S. The letters are so heavy that I have been forced to put them in 2 parcels.”) Despite being willing to send the letters, Darwin expresses concern in this letter that their content may be too specialized (i.e. scientific) for the general public.

Excellent letter with significant content and a desirable full signature.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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