Biography

Letter to Sir Archibald Geikie from Alexander MacMillan telling him that John Van Voorst will send him copies of Edward Forbes introductory lectures at King's College. He tells him that the printer, Thomas Constable is unable to produce a reliable estimate until the final length of the book ['Memoirs of Edward Forbes'] is decided.

Letter to Sir Archibald Geikie from Alexander MacMillan asking for confirmation that he has received copies of Edward Forbes introductory lectures at King's College from John Van Voorst and urging him to liaise with Sir Andrew Crombie Ramsay and Joseph Beete Jukes concerning which of Edward Forbes' own drawing to include in his biography.

Letter to Sir Archibald Geikie from Alexander MacMillan enclosing a letter from James Scott Bowerbank, confirming that he will lend [some manuscripts] and aspiring that they will be available by Saturday for a visit from Thomas Henry Huxley. There are also instructions from Jessie Aitken Wilson concerning the revision of portions [of 'Memoirs of Edward Forbes'] written by her brother George Wilson.

Letter to Sir Archibald Geikie from Alexander MacMillan telling him that sketches have arrived from James Scott Bowerbank and that the final choice will be made with the help of Thomas Henry Huxley. He advises Geikie that he has been in further contact with Jessie Aitken Wilson who is concerned that her brother [George Wilson]'s portion [of 'Memoirs of Edward Forbes'] should not be edited.

Letter to Sir Archibald Geikie from Alexander MacMillan concerning the layout of 'Memoirs of Edward Forbes' and asking him to remind Thomas Henry Huxley that he had promised to write a forward to the book.

Letter to Sir Archibald Geikie from Alexander MacMillan lamenting the slow sales of his book 'Memoirs of Edward Forbes' and suggesting this is due to the popularity of "the Gorilla book", [3rd edition Charles Robert Darwin's Origin of the Species].

Letter to Sir Archibald Geikie from Alexander MacMillan concerning a strategy suggested by Sir Andrew Crombie Ramsay and Thomas Henry Huxley for smoothing over a disagreement with Joseph Beete Jukes and Emily M Yelverton concerning the proposed Memoir of Edward Forbes, FRS, ( 1861).

Letter to Sir Archibald Geikie from Alexander MacMillan telling him that he will publish the proposed biography of Edward Forbes despite possible opposition from Joseph Beete Jukes and Emily M Yelverton.

Letter to Sir Archibald Geikie from Alexander MacMillan telling him that Joseph Beete Jukes does not oppose his proposed 'Memoirs of Edward Forbes', but rather is happy to assist by providing information and editorial help and smoothing the way with Emily M Yelverton.