First published use of 'evolution'. The first US edition, first impression of Darwin's second work of genius, containing his earliest published use of the term 'evolution'. A true sequel to Origin of a Species, the Descent of Man picked up where the earlier work had left off, discussing for the first time the place occupied by Homo sapiens in the Darwinian scheme of natural selection. An immensely popular work from the get-go, over 5000 copies of Descent were sold within the first year cementing Darwin's status in the public mind as a 'gentleman of science'.

Darwin 'had avoided the logical outcome of the general theory of evolution, bringing man into the scheme, for twelve years, and in fact it had, by that time, been so much accepted that the clamour of the opposition was not strident' (Freeman).

First US edition, first impression; 2 vols; (20.5 x 13.5 cm); bookplate to front pastedowns, dated ownership inscription in pencil to front free endpaper, numerous illustrations, errata to verso of contents leaf in vol. II, 2pp ads to rear of vol. I, 12pp to rear of vol. II; publisher's red cloth ruled in black, arabesque cornerpieces, spine lettered in gilt, edges slightly rubbed

Freeman 942.