Darwin correspondence projects gets $8.2 million
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The funding comes from the newly-established Evolution Education Trust and is matched by grants from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and the Isaac Newton Trust.
Darwin is thought by many to have come up with one of the most compelling scientific theories of all time, the notion of natural selection. But he was also an amazing correspondent, writing more than 15,000 letters on topics ranging from his through process in writing On the Origin of Species to how often he washed his face at age 12. (Hint: he describes it as 'nasty.)
The awards were announced Wednesday by the Cambridge University Library and the American Council of Learned Societies or ACLS and will ensure the full completion of the definitive The Correspondence of Charles Darwin.
The Darwin Correspondence Project is thought by many to be the greatest editorial project in the history of science. It is jointly managed by the Cambridge University Library and ACLS
Darwin exchanged letters with more than 2,000 people in his life time, and they range from his childhood, through the fateful voyage of HMS Beagle, to the publication of On the Origin of Species and the controversies that came afterwards.
The Darwin Correspondence Project has thus far found more than 15,000 of Darwin's letters at more than 200 institutions and private collections around the world. So far about 8,000 letters, covering the years up to 1870, are available in the print edition. More than 6,000, together with explanatory notes, are available in searchable electronic format. More will come.
In print, the project is expected to cover 30 volumes. Volume 19, covering the year 1871 will go to press this year. The Project was begun in 1974 by American Frederick Burkhardt.
