British botanist (1848-1925) and son of Charles Darwin. Four letters signed by Francis Darwin, including three ALSs signed "Francis Darwin" and one printed form letter signed "F. Darwin," totaling eight pages, all to English botanist and taxonomist Maxwell T. Masters. The longest letter, in part: "The Committee of the R. Soc. of which F. Galton is chairman and which is at present known as the C for Measurement of Plants & Animals is trying to make a start in big undertaking. Namely to form some kind of experimental station for experiments on Hered'y Variation, Growing &c in plants and animals. The idea is to make such an Evolut'y Station permanent, so that an experiment started now may be carried on if necessary by our grand children. Yesterday the committee met for the first time with the power to add to its number. There was a strong wish expressed for you as a member, & I was asked to communicate with you. We recognized that you are a very busy man and would not be able to give us much time. I hope you will kindly consent! Part of out plan is to see what can be done by enlisting the big breeders both of plants and animals…But presently I think the evolutionary station the important thing, & we want you quite as much for that as for the other half of the job." In the two other autograph letters, Darwin asks Masters if he will contribute "a few lines to our new volume of Agricult. Examination," and notes that he will "soon have an opportunity of examining the leaves at Kew." The partly-printed form letter concerns the publication of letters‚ presumably those he collected as editor of The Life and Letters of Charles Darwin. In overall fine condition.
