Darwin, Charles. Autograph Letter Signed, To [Fanny Kellogg], April 13, 1879.

Darwin, Charles

Autograph letter signed to [Fanny Kellogg], Down, Beckenham, Kent, April 13, 1879.

1 page (203 x 126 mm) on bifolium, signed "Charles Darwin." Creases where previously folded, fully glazed in an archival pochette, and matted glazed and framed to 8 1/2 x 11 1/2 in, mounted with hooks onto larger frame (21 3/4 x 20 1/4 in), lifting to reveal typed transcription of letter, and together with photograph of Darwin and metal plaque.

Darwin, replies to a Fanny Kellogg, thanking her for "communicating the curious case of an habitual gesture, like that which I have described as inherited. I may add that since I wrote, the action has been transmitted to another generation. Your case shall be sent to Mr. Galton, who gave me the information." The Mr. Galton he refers to is of course his half-cousin, Sir Francis Galton, the eugenicist. Galton was keenly interested in the inheritance of human qualities and abilities, so it is no surprise that Darwin would have referred this case to him. 

LITERATURE

Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 11992,” accessed on 4 April 2021, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/DCP-LETT-11992.xml