The collection is comprised of family records of the Darwin Fox family. Most of the collection consists of letters and observations, with a few photographs and newspaper clippings. The dates range between 1821 and 1935. There is a great variety of content and correspondents. The principal correspondents are William Darwin Fox (1805-1880) and his cousin Charles Robert Darwin (1809-1882). Others include the Rev. W.D. Fox, Henry Doubleday, William C. Hewitson and Richard Owen. Many of the letters are detailed accounts of supplies the various men have and need in their pursuit of “natural history”. Much of the discussions in the correspondence and the written observations concern insects, birds and eggs. In addition, there is correspondence relating to familial matters between family members.