In June 1873 Karl Marx sent Charles Darwin a copy of Capital Volume One with a note saying he was a ‘sincere admirer’.
The link between two of the greatest theorists of the nineteenth century, one advancing knowledge of the natural world, the other of economics, is perhaps broadly obvious.
Darwin’s copy of Capital has been subject to restoration but is going on public display again after 5 years.
The Telegraph story (22nd Feb) reports that Darwin replied in October 1873 saying that ‘though our studies have been so different, I believe that we both earnestly desire the extension of knowledge.
In the nineteenth century the Telegraph notes books were produced with pages uncut to avoid damage, leaving the reader to cut them. However Darwin’s copy of Capital has only the opening pages cut, suggesting he did not (like Harold Wilson) read the whole book.
The implication of course is that Darwin thought Marx not worth reading.
To be fair the report does go on to give the real reason. In 1873 Capital was available in German only and Darwin’s German was not particularly good.
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