Charles Darwin (1809-1882).

Autograph letter signed (‘Ch. Darwin’) to [Henry Nottidge] Moseley, London, 26 November [1878].

Three pages, 203 x 125mm, bifolium, headed notepaper (address cancelled). Provenance: by descent.

‘Nothing whatever gives me so much pleasure as to think that my work has at all encouraged in others a taste for natural history’. Darwin opens his letter to Moseley directly: ‘Your proposal to dedicate your book to me, I look at as a great honour. Nothing whatever gives me so much pleasure as to think that my work has at all encouraged in others a taste for natural history, & to believe that this is so in your case is an especial pleasure to me; for you must allow me to say that your several papers & your conversation have led me to believe that you have a grand career before you in Biology’. While Moseley’s letter had arrived at Down the previous day, the book packet containing proofs had not: Darwin is sure that on his return to Down on 27 November he will find them there, and promises to return them by the next day's post to avoid further inconvenience. He ends his letter with glowing praise for the aforementioned work: ‘I feel a strong conviction that your book will prove very interesting to all naturalists, & I am very glad that it will soon be published’.

Henry Nottidge Moseley wrote to Darwin on 24 November 1878 enclosing revised proofs of Notes by a Naturalist on the Challenger – his report on the ground-breaking work done during that 1872-6 expedition, which was to be published the following year – asking his permission to dedicate the work to him. Darwin’s pleasure in acceding to the younger scientist’s request is evident.

Darwin Correspondence Project 11762

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