Lot 134
Darwin, Erasmus
Zoonomia; or the Laws of Organic Life
Auction: 16 June 2026 from 10:00 BST
Description
London: J. Johnson, 1794-[96]. First edition, 2 volumes, 4to (25.9 x 20.2cm), contemporary half calf, 10 engraved plates (of which 6 hand-coloured), bindings worn, joints cracked, with boards almost detached in volume 2, damp-staining and concomitant paper-softening to lower fore corners, occasional spotting [ESTC T113901] (2)
Footnote
Rare first edition of an important work which had a formative but long-overlooked influence on the theories developed by the author's grandson, Charles: 'Early exposure to the ideas of Zoonomia was crucial in Charles's formulation of his theory of evolution and the connections between these two evolutionary theorists may have been underestimated. His grandfather's reputation is likely to have provided Charles with some powerful lessons about the formulation of his theory of evolution: political and religious controversy should be avoided; materialism and speculation abhorred; human evolution was to be downplayed. Moreover, late twentieth-century scholars [have] tried to move out of the shadow cast by Charles - focusing more intently on the elder Darwin's theories and observations of the natural world, particularly around reproduction, heredity, and breeding' (ODNB).