Grant Allen

Charles Grant Blairfindie Allen (February 24, 1848 – October 25, 1899), Canadian science writer and novelist, and a successful upholder of the theory of evolution, authentic autographed letter (ALS) handwritten to Professor George Croom Robertson, late Grote professor, University College, London. Dated February 23, 1885.

Allen's first books were on scientific subjects, and include 'Physiological Æsthetics' (1877) and 'Flowers and Their Pedigrees' (1886). He was first influenced by associationist psychology as it was expounded by Alexander Bain and Herbert Spencer, the latter often considered the most important individual in the transition from associationist psychology to Darwinian functionalism. In Allen's many articles on flowers and perception in insects, Darwinian arguments replaced the old Spencerian terms. On a personal level, a long friendship that started when Allen met Spencer on his return from Jamaica, also grew uneasy over the years. Allen wrote a critical and revealing biographical article on Spencer that was published after Spencer was dead.

After assisting Sir W. W. Hunter in his 'Gazeteer of India in the early 1880s,' Allen turned his attention to fiction, and between 1884 and 1899 produced about 30 novels. 

Four Pages. In very good condition with expected mailing fold.