Bateson, William, E.R. Saunders, and R.C. Punnett | Association copy, with Bateson's corrections

Bateson, William, E.R. Saunders, and R.C. Punnett

Reports to the Evolution Committee of the Royal Society. Reports I-V. 1902-09. London: Royal Society, 1910

Five reports bound in one volume, 8vo (210 x 133 mm). Ink annotations in Caroline Pellew's hand to title and elsewhere, numerous in-text charts, 3 plates; a few stray spots. Near-contemporary beige cloth, burgundy morocco lettering-piece to spine, original wrappers bound in at end; repairs to inner hinges. [With:] 3 pages of manuscript corrections in Pellew's hand.    

First edition, association copy, from the library of Caroline Pellew, with her inscription: "C. Pellew Ink corrections taken form W. Bateson's corrections in his own copy."

The reports cover the seminal research conducted by William Bateson, the English biologist who first used the term "genetics" to refer to the study of heredity and proponent of Mendelian genetics. "The rediscovery of Mendel's work transformed Bateson's career. He reinterpreted experimental data already available in Mendelian terms. As spokesman for the new discipline, Bateson knew no peer, yet his work was financed with great difficulty. The reports to the evolution committee of the Royal Society were the main vehicle of Mendelian publication in Britain until 1910" (DSB).

Caroline Pellew, to whom this copy belonged, was a geneticist at John Innes Horticultural Institution under direction by Bateson. The two collaborated extensively on experiments and research.

A fantastic association copy of some of the founding work on genetics

REFERENCE

Dictionary of Scientific Biography, "Bateson, William"

PROVENANCE

Caroline Pellew (inscription)