Books

London: John Murray, 1871. First edition, first issue (with errata on verso of vol. II title-leaf). viii, 423, [1]; viii, [ii], 475, [1] pp. 1 vols. 8vo. Publisher's green cloth. Light wear to covers, expertly recased. Bookplate. First edition, first issue (with errata on verso of vol. II title-leaf). viii, 423, [1]; viii, [ii], 475, [1] pp. 1 vols. 8vo. Darwin's Descent of Man created an uproar second only to his Origin of the Species; however, "contrary to popular error, prevalent now as well as then, Darwin never said that man was descended from apes, let alone monkeys; what he claimed was that man's ancestors if alive today would have to be classified among the Primates" (De Beer, Charles Darwin, pp. 210-1). ODNB further clarifies, "The Descent, understood by Darwin as a sequel to the Origin, was written with a maturity and depth of learning that marked Darwin's status as an élite gentleman of science" Freeman 937

In 'The Descent of Man,' Charles Darwin applies evolutionary theory to human evolution, and details his theory of sexual selection.

Original first editions published by John Murray in 1871 can be identified by green cloth boards with gilt details on the spine and by the presence of advertisements at the end of the volume dated January 1871.