RECORD: Darwin, C. R. et al. 1878. Declaration against war [with Russia]. The Times (1 May): 10.
REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed and edited by John van Wyhe 12.2019, 7.2022. RN3
NOTE: See record in the Freeman Bibliographical Database, enter its Identifier here.
This memorial refers to possible intervention in the Russo-Turkish War (1877-8). See Darwin to the foreign secretary, Robert Arthur Talbot Gascoyne-Cecil [18 May 1878], Correspondence vol. 26, p. 204. Gascoyne-Cecil was the 3d Marquess of Salisbury. See also the offprint version for interested persons to sign in F2449b and in CUL-DAR209.9.51, the verso was used by Darwin to record "Circumnutation of Cotyledon". Another copy is in CUL-DAR209.11.82 which lacks Darwin's name. As the editors of the Correspondence noted: "CD had been working on movement in cotyledons (seed-leaves) of plants, later published in Movement in plants. Following the decisive Russian victory in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–8 and the signing of the Treaty of San Stefano, other European states were alarmed by the increase of Russian influence in the region. Britain had threatened to go to war, but a crisis was averted by the convening of the Congress of Berlin in mid-May 1878 (Mackenzie 1993, pp. 240–2). See also F2482.
[page] 10
DECLARATION AGAINST WAR.—"We believe that there has not existed during the past 12 months, and that there does not exist now, any justification whatsoever for a war between Russia and Great Britain, and we should hold our Government guilty of the greatest crime towards this nation should they lead us or allow us to drift into war."
Signed by DUDLEY, BATH, GIBRALTER, COLERIDGE, CAMOYS, CHAS. DARWIN, F.R.S.
(And 35,000 others).
The following gentlemen will receive the names and addresses of all persons willing to sign this declaration. For forms, by which to collect signatures, apply to Mrs. Jacob Bright, 61, Onslow-square, S.W.
[Eighteen names with addresses follow. Darwin is not among them but he is listed in the offprint or handout version in CUL-DAR209.9.51 which has further signatures. In the offprint his name is, however, not amongst the seven initial names given in full capitals as here in The Times.]
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 19 August, 2023