Lot 6
![Darwin, Charles [Owen, Richard]](https://media.app.artisio.co/media/104cbde6-0d38-43cb-9e0f-bb721ef57bcf/inventory/3994e49f-8bdf-4b72-8ec7-783de1d1297d/acbb8e25-6663-4eaf-9cba-c1f611ae7bfc/0001_fIicnW_original.jpg)
Darwin, Charles [Owen, Richard]
Original review by Richard Owen of Darwin's seminal work, On the Origin of Species by means of Natural Selection
Rare Books, Manuscripts, Maps & Photographs
Auction: 07 February 2024 from 10:00 GMT
Description
[contained within] The Edinburgh Review or Critical Journal for January, 1860 ... April 1860, volume CXI. London: Longman, Green [&c] 1860, including the original review of Charles Darwin's work, On the Origin of Species by means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life. , pp. 487-532, contemporary black half morocco, slightly rubbed;
Darwin, Charles. Journal of Researches into the Natural History and Geology of Countries visited during the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle round the World. London: J. Murray, 1890. 8vo, new edition, engraved portrait, original pictorial cloth, rubbed;
Darwin, Charles. Journal of Researches into the Natural History and Geology of Countries visited during the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle round the World. London: Ward, Lock & Co., 1890, 8vo eighth edition, frontispiece, plates, original blue cloth
(3)
Footnote
Richard Owen, an ambitious leading figure of Victorian science, wrote this important (anonymous) review of the Origin of Species et al for the respected Edinburgh Review. As is well known, Owen vacillated between accepting or denying evolution but was convinced that Darwin's proposed mechanisms were wrong. Owen argued instead for a confusing theory of "the continuous operation of the ordained becoming of living things." In addition to throwing scorn on Darwin's ideas, Owen praised his own behind the veil of anonymity.