Treasures of the Library : On the origin of species by means of natural selection, or, The preservation of favoured races in the struggle for life

Darwin, Charles, 1809-1882

Treasures of the Library

<p style='text-align: justify;'>Topping a list compiled by publishers, librarians and academic retailers, Charles Darwin’s <i>On the origin of species</i> has been voted the most influential academic book ever written. The poll was the centrepiece of Academic Book Week 2015, an initiative designed to inspire debate around the form of the academic book of the future. This copy of the first edition of <i>On the origin of species</i> belonged successively to Charles Darwin, Francis Darwin, Bernard Darwin and Robin Darwin. A letter inserted, written by Leonard Darwin, notes that it was the first copy his father Charles received from the publishers. His annotations, primarily in the earlier section of the book, were incorporated into the second and later editions.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Many of Darwin’s manuscript notes produced in the drafting and preparation of <i>Origin of species</i> are available to consult in our <a target='_blank' class='externalLink' href='/collections/darwin_mss'>Darwin Manuscripts collection</a>. This volume is also included in <i>Words that changed the world</i>, a free-to-download iPad app with discussion by Dr Alison Pearn of the Darwin Correspondence Project. It can be downloaded <a target='_blank' class='externalLink' href='https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/words-that-changed-the-world/id1086597833?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4'>here</a>.</p>