RECORD: Darwin, C. R. & amanuensis. [1878-1879]. Annotated copy of text of retraction published in the `Monthly Magazine' (1804: 378) by Seward [A], correcting her `Memoirs of Dr Darwin' (published 1804). CUL-DAR210.11.40. (Cite as: John van Wyhe ed., 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed and edited by John van Wyhe 3.2026. RN1
NOTE: See record in the Darwin Online manuscript catalogue, enter its Identifier here. Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin.
Darwin used this note in his book Erasmus Darwin, p. 72 with reference to the following accusation against his grandfather Erasmus Darwin by Anna Seward:
"She describes (p. 406) his conduct when he heard of the suicide of his son Erasmus, who drowned himself during a fit of temporary insanity, as inhuman to an unparalleled degree. She asserts that when he was told that the body was found, he exclaimed in a low voice, 'Poor insane 'coward,' and, it is said, never afterwards mentioned the subject." Miss Seward then proceeds (p. 408), "this self-command enabled him to take immediate possession of the premises bequeathed to him (by his son Erasmus); to lay plans for their improvement; to take pleasure in, describing those plans to his acquaintance, and to determine to make it his future residence; and all this without seeming to recollect to how sad an event he owed their possession!"
The whole of this account is absolutely false, and when my father demanded her authority, she owned that it had been given merely on a report at a distant place, without any inquiry having been made from a single person who could have really known what happened."
Seward, Anna. 1804. Memoirs of the Life of Dr. Darwin: Chiefly During His Residence in Lichfield, with anedcotes of his friends, and criticisms on his writings. London: J. Johnson. [signed][Darwin Library-Down] PDF
The note on the verso was not used in the book.
[40]
[in Darwin's hand:] * Miss Seward published on my fathers demand. The following retractions in several Journals, but such retractions are some forgotten, & the stigma remains. [See Erasmus Darwin, p. 74 n.]
"The Authoress of the Memoirs of Dr Darwin, since they were published, has discovered, on the attestation of his family and of other persons present, at the juncture, that the statement given of his exclamation page 406, on the death of Mr Erasmus Darwin, is entirely without foundation; and that the Doctor, on that melancholy event, gave amongst his own family, proofs of strong sensibility at the time, and of succeeding regard to the memory of his son, which he seemed to have a pride in concealing from the world. In justice to his memory, she is desirous to correct the misinformation she had received. (Monthly Magazine 1804, p. 378) & other journals & newspapers.
[40v]
[page in Darwin's hand]
It appears that in 1768 Dr D sent a M.S. Essay to the Revd. Mr Gifford(?) of Duffield, near Derby(?) & for the note which unduly contained many of the psychological & physiological notions, metaphysical views published 20 years? afterwards in the Zoonomia.— Mr G. wrote an answer sent his criticism countered the view at of great length, beginning with the words "The compendium continued & as enclosed by in Dr D. in the following letter, 'Erasmus Darwin to the Revd Mr [Gifford].
"O that mine enemy had written a Book": One may, however, do tolerably with the book of a friend, if he will sit patiently & suffer one to take it to pieces". This shows that Dr D he expected that Dr. D would take be as well serene & elaborate criticisms.
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 26 March, 2026