Here are a number of personal letters written by Charles Darwin. As far as we can tell here at The DNA Store, all letters are original and as described.
These letters are not for sale and not in our possession. We also do not know who presently owns any of the letters. They are here for your scientific interest only.

 

Letter written by Charles Darwin

 

Charles Darwin (1809-1882), English natural scientist. A.L.S., “Charles Darwin”, Down (Bromley, Kent), 27th January [no year], four pages 8vo, double sheet. On the printed letterhead “Down. Bromley. Kent. S.C.”. Interesting letter to a woman who gave him orchids at his disposal for research. His essay for a magazine about orchids is turning into a book: „[…] I will not attempt to thank your Ladyship for all your kindness, for it is beyond my power. I am pleased to hear that my Books have at all interested you: but I fear my little Orchid book will be dry. This summer when at the sea, I meant merely to write a paper for some scientific journal, but the subject grew on me till my M.S. got rather too long for a paper. I am convinced that orchids have a wicked power of witchcraft, for I ought all these months to be working at the dry old bones of poultry, pigeons and rabbits instead of intensely admiring beautiful orchids. - I mention all this, because, though I can hardly bear to write the words, I must beg your Ladyship not to send any more of your treasures; though perhaps at some future period I may indulge myself with the examination of a few more orchids. - I will not forget your Ladyships most generous offer to give me other flowers, if I require them for observation, & I have no doubt that I shall some time be a beggar again […]“ In 1862 he published “On the Various Contrivances by Which British and Foreign Orchids are Fertilised by Insects”.