Correspondence of the 18th Century Naturalists

During the 18th century, the exchange of letters between members of the scientific community, especially the naturalists, was a popular method of continuing to explore and learn about the world. A successful naturalist had connections all over the world, aiding them in their quest for knowledge and classification. These letters created a global learning community as well as gathering observations, the exchange of nature, and the building of life-long friendships.
Charles Darwin
Perhaps one of the best known naturalists was Charles Darwin. He had many people writing to him from all over the world, all looking for a way to increase their understanding of the world around them. He was a kind of backboard for newer naturalists, eager to learn if their discoveries had any value to the scientific world and classification. One of these new, young naturalists was Anton Dohrn from Germany. Darwin and Dohrn wrote back and forth “covering the period 1867-1882” . Their relationship started by Dohrn sending Darwin a “paper on the morphology of the Arthropoda” . They call each other by their first names, and often inquire over the other’s family and health. Hooker tells Darwin “we are so glad to hear that you have some relief from your vomiting…&pray for a recurrence of Rheumatism which is the most convincing proof that nothing is organically wrong” . Darwin himself is a type of network, where he receives information and transfers it out to his connections. And of course, Darwin and Hooker exchanged plants and other nature with each other. An example of one of these many occasions is when Charles writes to J.D, asking “if you have Naravelia (the Clematis-like plant told me by Oliver) to try & propagate me a plant at once. Have you Clematis cirrhosa?” . The vast quantity of information gathered by these two men shows the importance of letter writing and correspondence in the 18th century and what it could accomplish. Originally, their correspondence started because Collinson needed “to find someone in North America who would act as a collector for him in a less casual manner” . Their relationship and correspondence depended on the fact that both worked hard and meticulously as what he did to help the other profit. Though they may not have known the exact hardships the other suffered, they knew that each was working with as much determination as possible. A shared obstacle they faced was the ability to ship delicate plants and animals across the ocean successfully. “Bartram’s first shipment of terrapins was unlucky, for those that did not die were stolen by the sailors” . His enthusiasm for nature is infectious and inspired many of his readers to leave their homes and travel. This journal was his own unique type of correspondence. Other naturalists had papers they shared with their peers, but Bartram shared his travels. He makes nature come to the reader when he states that “the towering mountains seem continually in motion as I pass along, pompously riding their superb crests toward the lofty skies, traversing the far distant horizon” . These two are well rounded naturalists, exchanging information of new discoveries within plants and animals as well as stone. A particularly interesting letter is the one about electric eels. “The man who shewed the Electric Eels in Carolina, as described by Dr. Garden, is now arrived; but unluckily, all the five eels died during the voyage, or at least before he came to London” . Though this letter comes off a bit like a fan letter, the two men continue their correspondence, and Gardener offers Linnaeus his discoveries and Linnaeus offers his experience and knowledge. He even starts to send Linnaeus plants “the plant I sent you last year, under the name of Ellisia, has come under my careful examination, and I confess I can scarcely make it a Swertia” <ref name="Smith1"/>. Linnaeus had many contacts, but this shows how every contact counts, no matter how small or new they are at their craft.
In conclusion, the “shared curiosities can bridge differences in class, wealth, education, and even geography. It was an important characteristic of English intellectual life in the eighteenth century” <ref name="Hoffmann"/>. Because of this, less experienced naturalists were able to address and learn from well-established individuals. Each person in this correspondence system knew that, as long as they had information to offer, they were considered equals. This system of correspondence made each letter a joy in itself, whether it was accompanied by a shipment of specimen or not. The eighteenth century naturalists realized that the value of a letter from a correspondent was greater than just new discoveries, these letters often carried lifelong friendships across the world. These letters created a trading system where goods and money were exchanged but friendship and knowledge were valued.

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu