Reader feedback about Darwin Online

• The reception of Darwin Online, since its re-launch online on 19 October 2006, has been overwhelming. Many readers have written to express their reactions. Selected excerpts are reproduced here, anonymously, with permission. We welcome your feedback and suggestions for improvements, email the Director, Dr John van Wyhe jmv21@cam.ac.uk

See also press notices

10 July 2008

I used the Complete Work Online extensively while teaching a class on Darwin last academic year, and will use it again for a class this coming year on Darwin's finches. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online is undoubtedly the best scholarly website, ever.

A reader from University of Wisconsin-Parkside, USA

I appreciate the availability of Darwin’s works. I teach at a Lutheran Seminary and require my students to read Origin of Species and Descent of Man. If theologians are to discuss Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection and all of the other theories ‘out there’, especially how they relate to the Biblical Creation account, they need to know who Darwin is and, two of his major works. Thanks again. I will use this cite and pass it on to others who are interested learning more about Charles Darwin.

A reader from St. Louis, MO USA

25 April 2008

Thank you, thank you, thank you for leading this project. I could blather on and on about how wonderful it is to see his work in his own handwriting and his illustrations but, instead let me just say: Thank you.

A reader from California, USA

Thank you for your outstanding site. I have a copy of Origin of Species but found reading it online to be so much easier! This is truly a great benefit to future generations.

A reader from New Jersey, USA

17 April 2008

Hello Dr van Wyhe

What an incredible website and a remarkable achievement by a large number of people. As it is impossible to thank you all, at least I can thank you.

Just a day after going online this document has already been accessed 19,017 times. I know I will be returning to it many, many times in the months and years ahead.

Thank you for making it possible.

A reader from Norway

19 April 2008

Dear Sir,

First, let me say thank you for your work and the opportunity to read all about Mr. Darwin. I have only yet begun to read the tip of the iceberg; however, I am looking forward to reading every last page.
As a child growing up in Texas the only thing we learned about Darwin was his Theory of Evolution and how we come from monkeys. ...
After reading only a mere portion I can only say I am saddened by the lies and misgivings I was taught as a child and I wish I had taken it upon myself sooner to learn firsthand about Darwin and his theories. As a medical professional and a free thinker I have learned that we have a lot more to learn in regards to our universe and the way we heal.

A reader from the USA

Dear Dr. John van Wyhe.

Congratulations! The complete Work of Charles Darwin Online is an outstanding project.

A librarian reader in Mexico

17 April 2008

Congratulations for your effort. This job is an inspiration for the new generations in Science.

A reader from Colombia

17 April 2008

I just learned about Darwin Online today. As a citizen of the USA i just wanted to thank you for having this important information available for everyone. I'm sure that there will be plenty of complaints from ignorant people also from the USA, so i just wanted to send a letter of support.

A reader in the USA

7 June 2007

Subject: Thanks a lot from the Galapagos Ecuador

Dr John van Wyhe,

It has been a true delight to discover your Website. For years I have been compiling information about this fascinating topics. Your hard work in putting together all this information should be commended and recognized.

From the Enchanted Islands,

Sincerely,

A Naturalist Guide.

12 March 2007

I'd like to thank John van Wyhe and everyone else involved in getting Emma Darwin's diaries online. I listened to the piece on Radio 4 this morning and went straight to my computer and logged onto the site. It's going to take me many hours but I'm determined to look through all the diary entries!

I just think it's wonderful that people have taken the time to put these diaries online so that we can access them completely free of charge.

Thank you again - I do hope you'll be able to pass this email on.

A reader in the UK.

15 February 2007

Your website was very helpful in dating the copy of Charles Darwin's, Origin of the Species that I have. It was published by Hurst and Company in New York as one of "The Companion Books." According to the information on yourwebsite it was possibly published around 1912.

A reader from Arizona, USA.

19 October 2006

Dr. van Wyhe,

What a wonderful resource! It is very exciting to know that I can access these documents so easily. I especially appreciate the images. I just felt I needed to let someone know this is time and money well spent. For me this is what is best about the internet – dispersal of knowledge, access to information.

From a high school science teacher, Kentucky, USA.

19 October 2006

First of all, I would like to express my thanks to you. I came across your complete works of Darwin online, and fifty pages into the first edition/issue of _On the Origin of Species_ I broke into tears, the experience was so powerful. Thank you for your time, your effort and your care in putting works so central to our modern understanding of life up free for the world, undiluted by some intermediary of unwanted analysis. … Thank you again. If nothing else, you have renewed my commitment to the study of natural sciences.

A reader from Columbia University, USA.

19 October 2006

Dear Dr John van Wyhe,

Thank-you and your colleagues for doing this. I live in upper midwest America in a small city of 25-thousand or so. I especially feel the 'small town' limitation when it comes to gaining access to academic and cultural materials. You have just given me access to the Complete Works of Charles Darwin. How can i thank you enough?

A reader from upper midwest USA.

19 October 2006

Dear Dr. John van Wyhe:

I and my students thank you for your efforts in developing the Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online, … a very significant contribution to world science and public good.

A reader from the University of Lethbridge, Canada.

19 October 2006

Dear Dr. van Wyhe, I just discovered the Darwin web site and find it fascinating … I do wish to express my appreciation to those responsible for placing this wonderful material on line with free access to all.

A reader in California, USA.

20 October 2006

Dear Sir,

I simply wanted to express my congratulations for such a brilliant project, especially in a day and age where all sorts of beliefs and superstitions try to discredit Charles Darwin works.

Although I am familiar with Darwin's name, I realize that I know very little about his contribution to science and I hope this web site will help me (and eventually my kids) to better understand where we come from as human beings.

A reader in France.

21 October 2006

On accessing the site and entering the search term [for a subject long researched] I was pleased to find numerous excerpts about [it] in his writings additional to the ones with which I am already familiar.

A reader in New Zealand.

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File last updated 10 July, 2008