Charles Darwin, a cousin of Galton, wrote an appreciative letter to him after reading Hereditary Genius. Galton wrote a grateful reply which is also reproduced here.
Letter from Darwin to Galton.
DOWN, BECKENHAM, KENT, S.E.
3rd December
"MY DEAR GALTON,--I have only read about 50 pages of your book (to Judges), but I must exhale myself, else something will go wrong in my inside. I do not think I ever in all my life read anything more interesting and original--and how Well and clearly you put every point! George, who has finished the book, and who expressed himself in just the same terms, tells me that the earlier chapters are nothing in interest to the later ones! It will take me some time to get to these latter chapters, as it is read aloud to me by my wife, who is also much interested. You have made a convert of an opponent in one sense, for I have always maintained that, excepting fools, men did not differ much in intellect, only in zeal and hard work; and I still think this is an eminently important difference. I congratulate you on producing what I am convinced will prove a memorable work. I look forward with intense interest to each reading, but it sets me thinking so much that I find it very hard work; but that is wholly the fault of my brain and not of your beautifully clear style.--Yours most sincerely,
(Signed) "CH. DARWIN"
To enhance readability, a facsimile of the letter has been split into sheets.
Reply from
Galton to Darwin
"It would be idle to speak of the delight your letter has
given me, for there is no one in the world whose appreciation
in these matters can have the same weight as yours."
