The National University of Singapore (NUS) has unveiled Charles Darwin’s personal Address Book, offering a unique insight into the life and work of the renowned scientist. This project, part of the Darwin Online initiative, presents an extensive collection of entries that shed light on Darwin’s social and professional connections.
The Address Book, a small leather notebook spanning just 48 pages, holds approximately 500 entries. It was initially created by Darwin’s wife, Emma Darwin, shortly after their marriage in January 1839. Following their relocation to Down House in 1842, Darwin continued to utilize this notebook throughout his life. The entries reveal a rich tapestry of relationships, encompassing not just personal acquaintances but also businesses and resources relevant to Darwin’s work.
New Insights into Darwin’s Network
What sets this Address Book apart is the wealth of information it contains that is not found in Darwin’s surviving correspondence. While the Correspondence of Charles Darwin includes around 15,000 letters, many more have been lost to history. The Address Book serves as a critical social document, revealing connections that have largely gone unrecognized.
Among the entries are references to articles in the Gardeners’ Chronicle that Darwin consulted for his research. Notably, the book includes practical information such as rat poison recipes for managing the estate’s stables, instructions for cleaning animal skeletons, and details on procuring peat for his greenhouse experiments. There are also notes regarding various household items, including a washer-dryer and a lawn mower, reflecting Darwin’s everyday life.
Additionally, the Address Book features contacts that range from pigeon breeders to tradesmen. It includes a note about Darwin’s shirt size, “38 chest,” and pricing for scientific supplies. Intriguingly, it records the address of Oscar Wilde‘s father and social reformer Octavia Hill, among other notable individuals. One entry stands out for its connection to the historical context of Darwin’s work: an optician, Dixey & Son, who provided eyewear to both Queen Victoria and Winston Churchill.
A Window into Darwin’s Scientific Collaborations
The Address Book also holds significant historical relevance in the context of Darwin’s scientific collaborations. An entry for Alfred Russel Wallace lists the shipping agent in Singapore, Hamilton, Gray & Co. This agent served as Wallace’s base during his eight years of research in Southeast Asia. Wallace independently formulated a theory of evolution by natural selection, which, alongside Darwin’s work, was presented to a scientific society in 1858. This moment marked a pivotal point in the history of science, as it showcased the simultaneous development of groundbreaking ideas.
Historian of science Dr. John van Wyhe from the NUS Faculty of Science expressed the importance of this newly published material, stating, “It’s incredible that this little treasure-trove of details by Darwin has remained unpublished until now. It offers fascinating new insights into his life and the way he worked.”
The Address Book remained with Darwin’s family until it was donated to Cambridge University Library in 1942. By 1948, it was deemed more suitable for public display at Down House, where it continues to be preserved.
This project builds upon the ongoing efforts of the Darwin Online initiative, which has been transcribing and editing the entirety of the Darwin Archive since 2005. The comprehensive database of Darwin’s publications and reconstructed library received acclaim when launched online in 2024.
The Address Book can be accessed online at the Darwin Online project at the following links: [Darwin’s Address Book](https://darwin-online.org.uk/content/frameset?pageseq=1&itemID=EH88202575&viewtype=side) and [Editorial Introduction](https://darwin-online.org.uk/EditorialIntroductions/vanWyhe_Darwins_Address_Book.html).
