After 1859, Darwin continued to research and gather evidence for his theory and to write such books as the ‘Fertilisation of Orchids’ (1861), ‘The Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication’ (1868), and ‘The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex’ (1871), amongst others. In the meantime, Karl Marx (1818-1883) had been critiquing capitalist society since 1844 with the publication of his book entitled ‘The Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts’ (also known as the ‘Paris Manuscripts’), which was followed by the ground-breaking ‘The German Ideology’, written in 1846 (but not published until 1932), and ‘Grundrisse’ (i.e. ‘Groundwork’) written in 1858 (but not published until 1958). These theoretical developments (amongst others), eventually led to Marx’s masterpiece critiquing the developmental history, nature, functionality, and implications of political economy within a capitalist system – namely Das Kapital (i.e. ‘The Capital’) – published in 1867. In 1873, Karl Marx sent a hardback copy of Volume One of Das Kapital with the following inscription written on the inside cover:
‘His sincere admirer Karl Marx, 16th of June, 1873’
The copy of this book is on permanent display in the upstairs room of Down House that covers the development of Darwin’s evolutionary theory.
In reply to Marx’s gift, Darwin wrote a letter thanking him on the 1st of October, 1873, and concluded:
‘Though our studies have been so different I believe that we both earnestly desire the extension of knowledge, and that this in the long run is sure [to] add to the happiness of mankind.
I remain Yours faithfully – Charles Darwin’
It seems that Karl Marx did not read Darwin’s book (On the Origins of the Species) until sometime after its publication in 1859, and that when he did, its content prompted him to communicate with Darwin in 1873. This is an important communication, as in 1876, Friedrich Engels collaborated with Karl Marx on the further development of their idea of Scientific Socialism, with the writing of an essay entitled ‘The Part Played by Labour in the Transition from Ape to Man.’ This is obviously a homage to Charles Darwin and in fact Richard Milner, in his excellent 2009 book entitled Darwin’s Universe – Evolution from A to Z, has this to say about the compatibility of Darwin’s work and that of Marx and Engels: (Page 293):
‘This Marxian idea of an early feedback loop (or dialectic) between the evolution of the hands and labour doubtless seems bizarre to non-Marxians, unaccustomed to seeing the loaded word ‘labour’ used in discussions of human evolution. However, if one rereads Engel’s passages and substitutes the phrase “tool-use” for “labour” every time it occurs, the theory becomes identical to the anthropological orthodoxy of the past few decades.’
In 1959, the Darwin family received a commemorative medal from the Soviet Union marking the 100th anniversary of the publishing of Charles Darwin’s ‘On the Origins of Species’. The medal featured a picture of HMS Beagle.
Author’s Note: Photograph of Darwin’s copy of Das Kapital, courtesy of English Heritage – Down House. I am indebted to the English Heritage staff of Down House, who assisted me in my research. ACW 26.05.15
2 thoughts on “Darwin & Marx – Down House – 25.05.15”
Not long after I published the picture of Darwin’s copy of Das Kapital – English Heritage removed it into storage. Its pages had been cut and read – contrary to some anti Marxist sources. I doubt these authors have ever seen this book. Still, a descendent of Darwin gave me permission to photograph.
Ms. Cat’s Chronicles 
Not long after I published the picture of Darwin’s copy of Das Kapital – English Heritage removed it into storage. Its pages had been cut and read – contrary to some anti Marxist sources. I doubt these authors have ever seen this book. Still, a descendent of Darwin gave me permission to photograph.
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I think it’s cool! Thanks for bringing it to my attention!
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