The University has won a Queen's Anniversary Prize for the Darwin Correspondence Project, which is transcribing, editing and publishing more than 14,500 letters written and received by Charles Darwin throughout his life.

Awarded in recognition of the outstanding contribution that the Project has made to the intellectual, economic, cultural and social life of the nation, the announcement was made at a reception at St James's Palace.

The Darwin Correspondence Project was founded in 1974 by Frederick Burkhardt and Sydney Smith in order to publish, for the first time, a comprehensive edition of the letters written to and received by Darwin.

Darwin's correspondence provides historians with an invaluable source of information and an unparalleled insight into his work and life including the complex development of his theories, his own intellectual development and social network, as well as Victorian science and society in general.

University Librarian, Peter Fox, said:

"We are honoured that the work of the Project has been recognised in this way. Being awarded this prize, especially in Golden Jubilee year, has been a real boost to the team who work tirelessly to guarantee that Darwin's work and thought can be brought to life for students and general readers alike."

Senior Research Associate on the Project, Alison Pearn, said:

"The Project's work throws new light on Darwin, Darwinism and the 19th century foundations of modern science.

"Darwin's work is of increasing significance today as there is growing emphasis on his work as a cornerstone of science, contemporary thought and modern values."

The Project has staff in both the UK and USA, those in the UK based at Cambridge University Library, which houses the largest single collection in the world - around 9,000 letters.

Next month marks the publication of Volume 13 of the Correspondence, covering the year 1865. When complete, the entire correspondence, published by Cambridge University Press, will run to 32 volumes. The letters are accompanied by detailed explanatory footnotes and relevant supplementary materials including Darwin's diary, comprehensive bibliographies and biographical details of nearly 2,000 correspondents and more than 1,000 other individuals who are mentioned in the letters. Pioneering work is also being undertaken to publish the correspondence in electronic form and a calendar providing details, including a summary, of every known letter is already available on the web.

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