Autograph Letter Signed ("Eras Darwin") to a "Miss Hutton" [one of Robert Hutton's daughters],

3 pages 8vo, 6 Queen Anne St, 15 March n.y. [after 1838, possibly 1860s].

On politics and Putney: "I shall have much pleasure in attending the Ballot on Monday next & getting any votes I can for Mr Snape ... I have been meditating for the last week or two about getting to Putney park but have always broken down, but I hope in a very few days to accomplish the undertaking", adding, "Doesn't that sound as if you lived at the Antipode."

Erasmus Darwin was the older brother of Charles Darwin; he was five years his senior. Charles Darwin frequently followed in his older brother's footsteps, and when in London, often stayed with him. It was through Eras that C.D. was introduced to a number of the scientific elite, as well as Harriet Martineau, and Darwin's future wife Emma Wedgwood. On Erasmus' death Thomas Carlyle wrote the words to be carved onto his memorial marble slab: "one of the sincerest, truest and most modest of men".

Robert Hutton was a liberal MP for Dublin. He was a member of the Geological Society; was a member of the council of University College London, the British Association, and the RIA. He lived married Caroline Compton in 1821 and they lived at Putney park from 1838.

Some offsetting and minor marking to final verso, likely from prior affixing to an album leaf.

 

Stock Code: 245600