Description
A lengthy Autograph Letter Signed ‘William B.Carpenter’, to Samuel Bright, discussing in detail the academic future of Bright’s son, the Matriculation course, suggesting another session in the study of Chemistry and Natural Philosophy. 4 pp. 7 x 4 inches, in good condition. University Hall, London, 1 February 1854. “He has gone on very pleasantly & satisfactorily in every point but that of getting up in the morning, his failure in which, I believe, will not surprise you.” William Benjamin Carpenter (1813-1885), naturalist, author of many works on zoology, geology and botany, accepted Darwin’s views with some reserve, insisting that natural selection leaves untouched the evidence of design in creation. His works included The Principles of General and Comparative Physiology (1838), The Principles of Human Physiology (1842), and a Popular Cyclopaedia of Natural Science (3 vols., 1841–3). He took an active part in many expeditions to study marine zoology. From 1851 to 1859 Carpenter was Principal of University Hall, the residence for students at University College London.