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The author in the garden at Down House, May, 2004.Charles Darwin - history Books from my library

Right Above: Roy J. Beckemeyer sitting in the garden of Down House, Charles Darwin's home, just outside Downes, England, May 2004.

    A WEB PAGE BY ROY J. BECKEMEYER             LAST UPDATED 3 June 2004

 

Down House - view from the garden of the back of the house. May 2004.Left: Photo taken by Roy Beckemeyer, May, 2004: Down House, Charles Darwin's home.  View from the garden of the back of the house.

I became interested in Charles Darwin when I began to read about biology and ecology in the 1970's.  Our family vacations for many years consisted in backpacking trips in the Rocky Mountains, and I read widely about alpine ecology so that I would know what I was seeing around me.  As I got into biology, it seemed that I should read The Origin of Species; I guess I thought that it was a book that all biologists had to read as part of their education.  I also picked up a copy of The Voyage of the Beagle, and a couple of biographies of Darwin.  My serious interest began when my wife bought me the first four volumes of The Correspondence of Charles Darwin as a Christmas present in 1990 when we were living in Seattle at the beginning of the Boeing 777 development program.  His letters really brought him to life.  I soon found a nice set of Works of Darwin at the premier natural history book store in the northwest, Flora and Fauna Books in Seattle.  I have kept up so far with the Correspondence volumes - the latest, Vol. 13, is coming out soon (Feb. 2003).  The series will likely extend to 30 volumes, so there will be reading material out there for quite a few more years!  In 1998 my wife and I were lucky enough to get to go on a trip to Antarctica, and traveled out of Ushuaia, Argentina, through the Beagle Channel.  Hope that some day we also get to the Galapagos Islands. 

I have added notes to some of the bibliography entries below for the benefit of anyone interested in reading about Darwin.

  1. Anonymous.  2002.  A selection of rare and magnificent natural history, scientific and medical books including a significant collection of Darwin related materials...  Catalogue 1327.  Maggs Bros. Ltd. London.
  2. Barrett, P. H.  1977.  The Collected Papers of Charles Darwin.  Two Volumes in One.  University of Chicago Press.  Chicago, Illinois.  [Paperback]
  3. Barrett, P. H., & R. B. Freeman (Editors).  1987.  The Works of Charles Darwin.  Vol. 1.  Diary of the Voyage of H. M. S. Beagle.  Edited by Nora Barlow.  New York University Press.  Washington Square.  New York.   [One of the great accounts of natural history exploration of all time.  All ecotourists should read this, especially those who are about to travel by boat.]
  4. Barrett, P. H., & R. B. Freeman (Editors).  1987.  The Works of Charles Darwin.  Vol. 2.  Journal of Researches.  Part One.  New York University Press.  Washington Square.  New York.
  5. Barrett, P. H., & R. B. Freeman (Editors).  1987.  The Works of Charles Darwin.  Vol. 3.  Journal of Researches.  Part Two.  New York University Press.  Washington Square.  New York.
  6. Barrett, P. H., & R. B. Freeman (Editors).  1987.  The Works of Charles Darwin.  Vol. 4.  The Zoology of the Voyage of H. M. S. Beagle.  Part I: Fossil Mammalia.  Part II: Mammalia.  New York University Press.  Washington Square.  New York.
  7. Marks, R. L.  1991.  Three Men of the Beagle.  Alfred A. Knopf.  New York.  [A well-written and extremely approachable book about the Beagle voyage.  Sheds light on how Europeans thought of other cultures.  Highly recommended.]
  8. Barrett, P. H., & R. B. Freeman (Editors).  1987.  The Works of Charles Darwin.  Vol. 5.  The Zoology of the Voyage of H. M. S. Beagle.  Part III: Birds.  New York University Press.  Washington Square.  New York.
  9. Barrett, P. H., & R. B. Freeman (Editors).  1987.  The Works of Charles Darwin.  Vol. 6.  The Zoology of the Voyage of H. M. S. Beagle.  Part IV: Fish. Part V: Reptiles.  New York University Press.  Washington Square.  New York.
  10. Barrett, P. H., & R. B. Freeman (Editors).  1987.  The Works of Charles Darwin.  Vol. 7.  The Geology of the Voyage of H. M. S. Beagle.  Part I: Structure and Distribution of Coral Reefs.  New York University Press.  Washington Square.  New York.
  11. Barrett, P. H., & R. B. Freeman (Editors).  1987.  The Works of Charles Darwin.  Vol. 8.  The Geology of the Voyage of H. M. S. Beagle.  Part II: Geological Observations on the Volcanic Islands.  New York University Press.  Washington Square.  New York.
  12. Barrett, P. H., & R. B. Freeman (Editors).  1987.  The Works of Charles Darwin.  Vol. 9.  The Geology of the Voyage of H. M. S. Beagle.  Part III: Geological Observations on South America.  New York University Press.  Washington Square.  New York.   [Darwin's geological observations were as important to his development as a thinker as his biological ones.]
  13. Barrett, P. H., & R. B. Freeman (Editors).  1987.  The Works of Charles Darwin.  Vol. 10.  The Foundations of The Origin of Species.  Two Essays Written in 1842 and 1844.  New York University Press.  Washington Square.  New York.
  14. Barrett, P. H., & R. B. Freeman (Editors).  1988.  The Works of Charles Darwin.  Vol. 11.  A Monograph of the Sub-Class Cirripedia: Vol. I. The Lepadidae.  New York University Press.  Washington Square.  New York.
  15. Barrett, P. H., & R. B. Freeman (Editors).  1988.  The Works of Charles Darwin.  Vol. 12.  A Monograph of the Sub-Class Cirripedia: Vol. II. The Balanidae. Part One.  New York University Press.  Washington Square.  New York.
  16. Barrett, P. H., & R. B. Freeman (Editors).  1988.  The Works of Charles Darwin.  Vol. 13.  A Monograph of the Sub-Class Cirripedia: Vol. II. The Balanidae. Part Two.  New York University Press.  Washington Square.  New York.
  17. Barrett, P. H., & R. B. Freeman (Editors).  1988.  The Works of Charles Darwin.  Vol. 14.  Monographs of the Fossil Lepadidae and the Fossil Balanidae.  New York University Press.  Washington Square.  New York.   [Darwin was also an accomplished taxonomist.  Lots of detailed microscopy and dissection work went into these treatises.]
  18. Barrett, P. H., & R. B. Freeman (Editors).  1988.  The Works of Charles Darwin.  Vol. 15.  On The Origin Of Species.  1859.  New York University Press.  Washington Square.  New York.   [Not an easy read - none of Darwin's scientific works are - but should be read by everyone with an interest in science.  His concepts provide the underpinning for all of biology.]
  19. Barrett, P. H., & R. B. Freeman (Editors).  1988.  The Works of Charles Darwin.  Vol. 16.  On The Origin Of Species.  1876.  New York University Press.  Washington Square.  New York.
  20. Barrett, P. H., & R. B. Freeman (Editors).  1988.  The Works of Charles Darwin.  Vol. 17.  The Various Contrivances By Which Orchids Are Fertilized By Insects.  New York University Press.  Washington Square.  New York.
  21. Barrett, P. H., & R. B. Freeman (Editors).  1988.  The Works of Charles Darwin.  Vol. 18.  The Movements and Habits of Climbing Plants.  New York University Press.  Washington Square.  New York.
  22. Barrett, P. H., & R. B. Freeman (Editors).  1988.  The Works of Charles Darwin.  Vol. 19.  Variation of Animals and Plants Under Domestication.  Volume I.  New York University Press.  Washington Square.  New York.
  23. Barrett, P. H., & R. B. Freeman (Editors).  1988.  The Works of Charles Darwin.  Vol. 20.  Variation of Animals and Plants Under Domestication.  Volume II.  New York University Press.  Washington Square.  New York.
  24. Barrett, P. H., & R. B. Freeman (Editors).  1989.  The Works of Charles Darwin.  Vol. 21.  The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex.  New York University Press.  Washington Square.  New York.
  25. Barrett, P. H., & R. B. Freeman (Editors).  1989.  The Works of Charles Darwin.  Vol. 22.  The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex. Part Two.  New York University Press.  Washington Square.  New York.
  26. Barrett, P. H., & R. B. Freeman (Editors).  1989.  The Works of Charles Darwin.  Vol. 23.  The Expression of Emotions in Man and Animals.  New York University Press.  Washington Square.  New York.
  27. Barrett, P. H., & R. B. Freeman (Editors).  1989.  The Works of Charles Darwin.  Vol. 24.  Insectivorous Plants.  Revised by Francis Darwin.  New York University Press.  Washington Square.  New York.Darwin's greenhouse - behind Down House. Photo by Roy Beckemeyer, May 2004.
  28. Barrett, P. H., & R. B. Freeman (Editors).  1989.  The Works of Charles Darwin.  Vol. 25.  The Effects of Cross and Self Fertilization in the Vegetable Kingdom.  New York University Press.  Washington Square.  New York.
  29. Barrett, P. H., & R. B. Freeman (Editors).  1989.  The Works of Charles Darwin.  Vol. 26.  The Different Forms of Flowers on Plants of the Same Species.  Preface by Francis Darwin.  New York University Press.  Washington Square.  New York.
  30. Barrett, P. H., & R. B. Freeman (Editors).  1989.  The Works of Charles Darwin.  Vol. 27.  The Power of Movement in Plants.  New York University Press.  Washington Square.  New York.
  31. Barrett, P. H., & R. B. Freeman (Editors).  1989.  The Works of Charles Darwin.  Vol. 28.  The Formation of Vegetable Mould Through the Action of Worms with Observations on Their Habits.  New York University Press.  Washington Square.  New York.   [Notice the breadth of topics covered by this true Renaissance man; any of these works would be a major contribution - taken together they are astounding.]
  32. Barrett, P. H., & R. B. Freeman (Editors).  1989.  The Works of Charles Darwin.  Vol. 29.  Erasmus Darwin by Ernest Krause with a Preliminary Notice by Charles Darwin.  The Autobiography of Charles Darwin edited by Nora Barlow.  Consolidated Index compiled by Richard Raper.  New York University Press.  Washington Square.  New York.
  33. Bowlby, J.  1990.  Charles Darwin: A New Life.  W. W. Norton & Company.  New York.
  34. Browne, J.  1995.  Charles Darwin: Voyaging. [Vol. I of a Biography].  Alfred A. Knopf.  New York.
  35. Browne, J.  2002.  Charles Darwin: The Power of Place. [Vol. II of a Biography].  Alfred A. Knopf.  New York.  [Perhaps the definitive biography of the man.  Certainly a powerful and readable set of books.  Highly recommended.]
  36. Burkhardt, F., & S. Smith.  1985.  The Correspondence of Charles Darwin.  Volume 1.  1821-1836.  Cambridge University Press.  Cambridge, England.
  37. Burkhardt, F., & S. Smith.  1986.  The Correspondence of Charles Darwin.  Volume 2.  1837-1843.  Cambridge University Press.  Cambridge, England.
  38. Burkhardt, F., & S. Smith.  1987.  The Correspondence of Charles Darwin.  Volume 3.  1844-1846.  Cambridge University Press.  Cambridge, England.
  39. Burkhardt, F., & S. Smith.  1988.  The Correspondence of Charles Darwin.  Volume 4.  1847-1850.  Cambridge University Press.  Cambridge, England.
  40. Burkhardt, F., & S. Smith.  1989.  The Correspondence of Charles Darwin.  Volume 5.  1851-1855.  Cambridge University Press.  Cambridge, England.
  41. Burkhardt, F., & S. Smith.  1990.  The Correspondence of Charles Darwin.  Volume 6.  1856-1857.  Cambridge University Press.  Cambridge, England.
  42. Burkhardt, F., & S. Smith.  1991.  The Correspondence of Charles Darwin.  Volume 7.  1858-1859. Supplement 1821-1857. Cambridge University Press.  Cambridge, England.
  43. Burkhardt, F., D. M. Porter, J. Browne, & M. Richmond.  1993.  The Correspondence of Charles Darwin.  Volume 8.  1860.  Cambridge University Press.  Cambridge, England.
  44. Burkhardt, F., D. M. Porter, J. Harvey, & M. Richmond.  1994.  The Correspondence of Charles Darwin.  Volume 9.  1861.  Cambridge University Press.  Cambridge, England.
  45. Burkhardt, F., D. M. Porter, J. Harvey, & J. R. Topham.  1997.  The Correspondence of Charles Darwin.  Volume 10.  1862.  Cambridge University Press.  Cambridge, England.
  46. Burkhardt, F., D. M. Porter, S. A. Dean,  J. R. Topham, & S. Wilmot.  1999.  The Correspondence of Charles Darwin.  Volume 11.  1863.  Cambridge University Press.  Cambridge, England.
  47. Burkhardt, F., D. M. Porter, S. A. Dean,  P. S. White, & S. Wilmot.  2001.  The Correspondence of Charles Darwin.  Volume 12.  1864.  Cambridge University Press.  Cambridge, England.   [A monumental work that contributes so much to understanding and appreciating Darwin and his mind.]
  48. Clark, R. W.  1984.  The Survival of Charles Darwin: A Biography of a Man and an Idea.  Random House.  New York.
  49. Darwin, C.  1959.  The Voyage of the Beagle.  J. M. Dent & Sons, Ltd.  London.  [No. 104.  Everyman's Library Series.]
  50. Dennett, D. C.  1995.  Darwin's Dangerous Idea: Evolution and the Meanings of Life.  Simon & Schuster.  New York.
  51. Desmond, A., & J. Moore.  1991.  Darwin: The Life Of A Tormented Evolutionist.  Warner Books.  New York.  
  52. DiGregorio, M. A.  1984.   T. H. Huxley's Place in Natural Science.  Yale University Press.  New Haven, Connecticut.
  53. Freeman, R. B.  1978.  Charles Darwin: A Companion.  Dawson.  Folkestone, Kent, England. [Richard Keynes]
  54. Gallant, R. A.  1972.  Charles Darwin: The Making of a Scientist.  Doubleday & Company, Inc.  Garden City, New York. 
  55. Keynes, R.  2001.  Annie's Box: Charles Darwin, his Daughter and Human Evolution.  Fourth Estate.  London, England.  [Randal Keynes]
  56. Keynes, R. Darwin (Editor).  1988.  Charles Darwin's Beagle Diary.  Cambridge University Press.  Cambridge, England. [Richard Keynes]
  57. Keynes, R.  2000.  Charles Darwin's Zoology Notes & Specimen Lists from H.M.S. Beagle.  Cambridge University Press.  Cambridge, England. [Richard Keynes]
  58. Keynes, R.  2002.  Fossils, Finches and Fuegians: Charles Darwin's Adventures and Discoveries on the Beagle, 1832-1836.  HarperCollins Publishers. London, England. [Richard Keynes]
  59. Lyell, C.  1990.  Principles of Geology.  First Edition.  Volume I.  University of Chicago Press.  Chicago, Illinois.  [Facsimile Edition of 1830 First Edition]
  60. Lyell, C.  1991.  Principles of Geology.  First Edition.  Volume II.  University of Chicago Press.  Chicago, Illinois.  [Facsimile Edition of 1831 First Edition]
  61. Lyell, C.  1991.  Principles of Geology.  First Edition.  Volume III.  University of Chicago Press.  Chicago, Illinois.  [Facsimile Edition of 1833 First Edition]  [Lyell was Darwin's mentor, and his Geology provided Darwin's inspiration.  Interesting reading both in itself and for the insight it can provide into Darwin's work.]
  62. Morehead, A.  1969.  Darwin and the Beagle.  Harper & Rowe, Publishers.  New York.
  63. Morris, S., L. Wilson, & D. Kohn.  1998.  Charles Darwin at Down House.  English Heritage.
  64. Stevens, L. Robert.  1978.  Charles Darwin.  Twayne Publishers.  Boston, Massachusetts.
  65. Wheeler, W. M., & T. Barbour (Editors).  1933.  The Lamarck Manuscripts at Harvard.  Harvard University Press.  Cambridge, Massachusetts.
  66. White, M., & J. Gribbin.  1995.  Darwin: A Life In Science.  A Dutton Book.  Penguin Books.  New York.

Related Books:

  1. Gould, S. J.  2002.  The Structure of Evolutionary Theory.  The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.  Cambridge, Massachusetts.

 

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