Beschreibung:

The collection, containing 27 items, can be divided into 3 sections: A - Manuscript 'Notes on the Darwin Centenary' A5 manila envelope labelled in Woodward's hand. 7 sheets of yellow, lined foolscap notepaper containing 9 pages of Woodward's autograph account of the Darwin Commemoration written in pencil with extensive corrections. This narrative is apparently unpublished although the care with which the revisions and corrections have been executed suggests private circulation or perhaps delivery as a paper or speech. After making some commonplace remarks about Darwin's significance in relation to Newton, Woodward turns to the centenary celebration itself: 'certainly there were never a larger body of men of rare scientific attainments so assembled on an occasion of such significance in conjunction with the progress of human knowledge... The entire learned world from Chile to Japan joined in paying homage to the memory of a man hard at work only the other day.' Although she travelled with him Woodward's wife goes unnamed throughout the 'Notes'. Nonetheless her experiences at a late evening reception at Peterhouse and at the Ladies Dinner at Newnham are obliquely recounted. Woodward's tone is serious and respectful throughout, sometimes awestruck by the scale of the ceremonial in Cambridge's ancient halls, but most alive when confronted by objects and people known to Darwin himself. There is the moment in Darwin's rooms at Christ's College when he catches sight of the monkey which was dangled over Darwin's head during an honorary degree ceremony at the Senate House in 1877. Particularly affecting is Woodward's starstruck reaction at a late evening party at Pembroke College when he finds himself able to 'look into the faces of and really exchange greetings with such colossal figures as Sir Joseph Hooker, just approaching his 93rd birthday and Mrs Thomas Huxley, keen and bright eyed at 86, Mrs Sidgwick... gentle voiced almost painfully retiring little woman whom, after the first few minutes of conversation you felt you had always known'. B - Printed Ephemera Darwin Commemoration June 22-24, 1909. Provisional Programme. [2] With oval stamp presumably on receipt at Woodward's office: 'Carnegie Institution Feb 15 1909 Washington'. A brief resume of events with notes about Hospitality and a request to inform the organisers 'whether they will be accompanied by a Lady'. 'University of Cambridge Darwin Celebration', A4 sized printed envelope issued on arrival in Cambridge to Woodward containing invitations etc. Printed with University Coat of Arms and 'Darwin Celebration' letterhead, accomplished in manuscript: 'Dr R S Woodward c/o Lady Jebb Springfield.' Lady Cara Jebb was the wife of Richard Jebb, Professor of Greek, and a distant Darwin relative, being the aunt of the writer Gwen Raverat. 'Darwin Celebration' A5 Compliments Slip, Accomplished in manuscript with the date, 'May [12th] 1909'. 'Programme'. 4 page, quarto sized, printed bifolium with detailed programme of events, Tuesday June 22-Thursday June 24. Woodward has annotated the programme jotting down 'Senate House' beside the Wednesday morning 'Presentation of Addresses' and correcting the time of the evening reception at Pembroke College as well as writing 'Mr and Mrs' alongside events open to wives. 'List of Delegates and Other Guests Invited by the University', large quarto size, pp 26. Dated June 19, 1909 with 'Final Lists' in top corner of card cover. Laid in, a compliments slip from the Honorary Secretaries. Woodward's name appears on the first page as President of the Carnegie Institution, Washington. TUESDAY JUNE 22 Reception by the Chancellor, Small Broadside relating to Academic Dress and the Reception of Delegates in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Tuesday June 22. 7 Invitation to Reception in the Fitwilliam Museum by the Chancellor of the University of Cambridge. Oblong card with crest of the University in colour; accomplished in manuscript: 'Dr and Mrs R S Woodward'. In hi