Autograph letter signed to Thomas Twining
Publisher Information: Thames Ditton.
Watson, Hewett Cottrell (1804-81). Autograph letter signed to [Thomas?] Twining. 7pp. on two bifolia. Thames Ditton, 28 January [no year; ca. 1850]. 185 x 115 mm. Fine.
From Hewett Watson, British botanist, phrenologist and evolutionary theorist. Watson, the editor of the London Catalogue of British Plants from 1844 to 1874, was an expert on the geographical distribution of plants in the British Isles and a strong advocate for the use of statistical methods in scientific research. Charles Darwin corresponded with Watson and made use of Watson’s botanical knowledge in his own evolutionary researches, acknowledging Watson as a vital source of scientific information in On the Origin of Species. Watson’s correspondent here was most likely Thomas Twining, Jr. of Twickenham, who in 1846 had sponsored Watson’s candidacy for a teaching post in Ireland, and who, like Watson, was interested in educational reform.
Watson’s letter discusses the subject of education, particularly that of the working classes. He and Twining both supported the progressive educational ideas of fellow phrenologist George Combe, whom he mentioned in his letter—“I forward your letter to Mr. Combe, of Edinburgh, & ask him to send you a list of addresses. I know of no one more likely to select persons qualified to give information of value than is Mr. C. Education is with him quite as much a hobby as phrenology is or has been . . .” Watson mentioned the Williams Secular School in Edinburgh—“established under the auspices of Mr. Combe”— which, like William Ellis’s Birkbeck Schools, was founded expressly for the purpose of teaching science, art and economics to working-class children and adults. Watson included Ellis’s name in a list of contacts who might prove useful to Twining.
Book Id: 45327
Price: $375.00