Galapogos, 1835
Portrayed as a “Eureka” experience. Actually, was hugely homesick Did not recognise significance until back in England, 1837.

பைடு நூலகம்he Beagle
Only 90 foot long, but carrying 74 people.
Joining the Beagle Voyage
Not paid for 5 years on Beagle. Actually, he had to pay! Was lucky to get on
Contribution to style of science
Pre-Darwin, science was done in homage to God Was primarily descriptive Deduction and theorising was disparaged as “speculation” Darwin used detailed observation to explore much larger questions - helped change scientific methods

Transformed attitudes of humanity to our place in the universe
Not just an evolutionist
Not even a biologist to start with Collected beetles for fun Studied geology more seriously Considered himself a geologist throughout the Beagle voyage and for some time after Famous for working out how coral atolls are formed

His books (not just on evolution)



Beagle voyage Coral reefs Volcanic islands Geology of South America Barnacles Species Man



Emotions Climbing plants Domestication Cross and self fertilisation Orchids Worms Autobiography

Darwin was mis-credited
Died famous for evolution (which was not his idea) Natural selection not widely accepted, even among his supporters Darwin remained convinced Only 40-50 years later did scientists appreciate his foresight.

Lifeline
Born 1809 Study (Edinburgh and Cambridge) 1825-1831 Voyage of the Beagle 1831-36 Retired to Down 1842 The Origin of Species 1859 Died 1882 Darwin’s home at Down, near London

Darwin’s achievements

Transformed biological science
Both style and content Still the cornerstone of biology Now the cutting edge of psychology

Natural selection
Developed theory in complete isolation In face of violent opposition With no knowledge of genetics With no knowledge of DNA With no knowledge of plate tectonics With no observations of natural selection actually occurring
Surprising truths about Charles Darwin
David Pannell
University of Western Australia
Just a bloke with a good idea?
I was interested in evolution but not in Darwin Eventually read Adrian Desmond and James Moore (1991) “Darwin”

Not first to propose evolution

French tradition
Jean-Baptiste Lamark Etienne Geoffroy St Hilaire
Erasmus Darwin (Grandfather) Robert Grant (Mentor) Was expounded in a popular book (“Vestiges”) 15 years before “Origin”

replaced someone who was shot in a duel his father opposed him going
Mainly asked because of his class, to keep Captain Fitzroy company It was the making of him