Who was Charles Darwin?
did Darwin look like?
What were some of his other physical attributes?
What was Darwin like as a child?
How did his love of natural science develop?
What did Darwin accomplish while at medical school?
How was his thirst for science nurtured at Cambridge University?
What kind of music did Charles Darwin like?
What sorts of literature did Darwin like?
What was Darwin's family life like?
What were Darwin's views on politics?
What were Darwin's religious views?
was Charles Darwin?
people know that Charles Darwin was the father of evolutionary
biology. However, what is not widely known is what sort of a
person Charles Darwin was. In an attempt to remedy this situation,
this section of AboutDarwin.com will allow the reader to get
to know Darwin on a very personal level.
did Darwin look like?
Charles Darwin stood about 5 feet, 11 1/2 inches tall and weighed,
after his famous Beagle Voyage, 148 pounds (10.5 stone). Judging
from older photographs, it is likely that he gained a bit of
weight in his later years. He had dark brown hair, with a receding
hairline on his forehead, and thick curly sideburns. His piercing
blue-gray eyes were set off by large overhanging bushy eyebrows.
In his elderly years his hairline receded a great deal, his
face turned a healthy ruddy color (his complexion often gave
people the mistaken impression that Darwin was in fine health!),
and his forehead developed deep horizontal wrinkles. In January
1866 he grew a large flowing unkempt gray-white beard, perhaps
to hide the ravages of health problems, or to prevent people
from recognizing him. His plan worked, for while attending a
meeting of the Royal Society on 27 April hardly anyone recognized
him, even his closest friend, Joseph
were some of his other physical attributes?
Most of Darwin's physical characteristics are known from his
later years, as described by his children. Charles Darwin had
no natural grace of movement, and was awkward with his hands.
He walked with a swinging action, striking his cane loudly on
the ground as he went. Indoors his step was slow and labored.
He became excited when engaged in conversation and was very
animated and bright eyed, even when he was in ill health. He
often used hand gestures when talking, perhaps as an aid to
himself, rather than to the listener. In old age Darwin stooped
a great deal. He had a hearty laugh, often raising his hands
or bringing them down with a slap on his thighs. It is known
that Darwin sometimes spoke with a stutter. Apparently, when
puzzled during a conversation he pronounced the first word of
a sentence with a slight stammer, mainly words starting with
the letter "W". Another interesting attribute is that unless
a topic of conversation was related to his current research,
Darwin was very slow at forming the wording of an argument.
The flow of his conversation with others must have been difficult
to follow, for he would often go off on a tangent this way,
then another tangent that way, in whatever topic he was discussing.
was Darwin like as a child? (up to about age 9)
In his Autobiography, Darwin (called Charley and Bobby during
this time) describes himself as being a rather "naughty" child.
This is borne out in his stories of stealing fruit from the
orchard trees on the side of his parents' house, making up wild
stories, and striving to be the center of attention in the family.
His sister, Caroline, may have helped him become the center
of attention by blaming him for everything that went wrong in
the household, much to Darwin's dismay. He was also a very clumsy
boy. Darwin recounts one story of his childhood in which he
was strolling along a stone wall, apparently lost in thought,
and walked right off the edge and fell about eight feet to the
ground! Darwin had excellent athletic abilities, being a swift
runner and an excellent rock thrower. There are some indications
that he was a rather gullible child. On one occasion a childhood
friend of Darwin's convinced him that if he went into any shop
in Shrewsbury and wore a special hat which he moved in a certain
way for the shopkeeper, he could take whatever he wanted for
free. Well, Darwin tried the hat in a bakery shop, took some
cakes, moved the hat for the shopkeeper, and headed out the
door. Imagine the shock when the man made a rush for poor Darwin
as he dropped the cakes ran for dear life!
Ironic as it may seem, Charles Darwin was a lazy young man,
and a slow learner in school. He was at first educated by his
sister, Caroline, before attending Revd. Case's grammar school
in Shrewsbury. He was a rather shy student but he did take great
pleasure in showing off his athletic skills to the other school
boys. It is not known how well Darwin did at Revd. Case's school,
but it is safe to say that he was likely an unremarkable student.
The first sparks of interest in natural history were developed
very early in his childhood. Darwin relates how his mother,
Susannah, taught him how to change the color of flowers by giving
them water mixed with food coloring. He was also, at a very
early age, interested in the variability of plants, and was
perhaps influenced here by the gardens his father kept at the
house. As a young boy he delighted in collecting minerals, insects,
coins, stamps and other odd bits. Darwin did not, however, put
much study into these objects, and seems to have collected them
for the mere pleasure of it. Darwin also had an extreme fondness
of dogs - easily winning their affection, and took great pleasure
in fishing along the River Severn that flowed along the back
of his parents' house.
did his love of natural science develop?
When Darwin was nine years old his father sent him to Revd. Samuel
Butler's school in Shrewsbury. It was a boy's boarding school,
but for Darwin it had the great advantage of being just across
the river from his father's house, so he was able to visit home
many times a week. At this school Darwin learned the classics,
ancient history, and Greek, all of which he found entirely boring.
He had a particularly hard time learning Greek and struggled along
by memorizing bits of phrases and stringing them together to form
sentences (of course, he entirely forgot these memorized bits
within a few days). It is safe to say that Darwin was a slow learner
in his youth. He was not inspired much by his schooling, and found
his only pleasures there in reading Shakespeare's historical plays,
the poems of Byron, Scott, Thomson, and the Odes of Horace. His
increased interest in natural science was spurred on by events
outside his formal education. These events were: (1) the many
hikes he went on in Northern Wales, (2) a book he read many times
during this period, and (3) helping his brother, Erasmus, in his
chemistry lab in the backyard.
(1) Hiking - In his youth Darwin was quite an active
hiker, and spent much of his summer vacation time in Northern
Wales with his family. Anyone who has been to this part of Britain
is aware of the incredible natural beauty of the area. It was
here that Darwin spent his warm summer days collecting sea shells,
minerals, insects, geological specimens, and whatever else interested
him. The primary influence of Northern Wales on Darwin was the
exposure to the incredible beauty and variety of nature.
(2) Book Reading - One book that influenced Darwin
a great deal in his youth was titled "Wonders of the World."
It may have been this book that first put the idea into Darwin's
head to explore exotic foreign lands.
(3) Chemistry - When Darwin was thirteen years old (in
1822) his brother, Erasmus, built a small chemistry lab in the
garden shed in back of the house. Darwin acted as assistant
to his older brother, and they often worked into the late hours
of the night experimenting with chemical reactions and producing
various gases. It seems no one approved of Darwin's foray into
chemistry. His classmates poked fun at his new hobby by calling
him "Gas Darwin", the headmaster of the school scolded him for
wasted his time with such non-sense, and his sisters feared
his would blow-up the house! Darwin learned many things in his
brother's lab, the most important of which were the proper methods
of scientific experimentation - a set of skills that would greatly
benefit him in his future career as a naturalist.
Darwin was sixteen years old (in 1825) his father, Robert, took
him out of Revd. Butler's school due to him not paying attention
to his studies, getting poor grades, and his excessive laziness.
It is ironic to think that his father declared to him that he
"cared for nothing but shooting, dogs, and rat-catching, and
you will be a disgrace to yourself and all your family." Darwin
left Butler's school as an entirely unremarkable student, and
none of his instructors marked him out as possessing any noteworthy
did Darwin accomplish while at medical school?
Poor young Darwin had no particular focus in his life at this
time, so his father decided he would follow in the long line
of doctors in the family and study medicine. Darwin was to be
admitted into Edinburgh University, in Scotland - known as having
one of Europe's most distinguished medical schools. During the
summer Darwin acted as assistant in his father's medical practice,
treating poor people, children and women. Much to his father's
surprise, young Darwin seemed to enjoy medicine a great deal.
In October of 1825 Darwin started medical school at the University
of Edinburgh. His brother joined him there to study for his
exams, having completed most of his medical studies at Cambridge.
They took lodgings together across the street from the university
on Lothian Street. As it was at Revd. Butler's school, his studies
at Edinburgh were for the most part a waste of time for Darwin.
The only lectures that interested him were those of Professor
Thomas Hope's chemistry class. He attended the geology lectures
of Professor Jameson but, ironic as it may seem, the subject
bored him, and he vowed never to read or study the subject again.
It is common knowledge that Darwin loathed the sight of blood,
and this is said to have prevented him from pursuing a medical
career. While this is true to a certain extent, what mostly
stopped him was that he found medical studies an extreme bore
- he wondered what his father ever saw in him that led him to
think he would make a good doctor.
Once again Darwin's increased interest in natural science was
nurtured from outside his formal studies. This was accomplished
in many ways: (1) Darwin learned how to stuff animals, (2) he
read a very interesting book on natural history, (3) he spent
much of his time at the natural history museum in Edinburgh,
(4) he joined the Plinian Society, and (5) he became a good
friend of Professor Robert Grant.
(1) Stuffing Animals - John
Edmonstone, a freed black slave from Guyana, South America,
had settled in Edinburgh and made his living teaching medical
students the fine art of taxidermy. He lived just down the street
from Darwin, and they soon became good friends. In February
1826 Darwin paid Mr. Edmonstone to teach him how to stuff animals,
and as a bonus, Darwin had the opportunity of drilling him with
questions about his homeland in South America. Over the next
few months Darwin's head was filled with vivid pictures of the
tropical rain forests of South America, and this sent his imagination
spinning. His talks with John ignited the spark inside Darwin's
mind to desire to travel to South America, a dream that was
to be fulfilled a few years later, while the taxidermy skills
Darwin learned were indispensable during the Beagle voyage.
(2) Natural History Book - During the summer, after
his first year at medical school, Darwin spent much of his time
hiking around northern Wales and reading Revd. Gilbert White's
book: "The Natural History of Selborne" (published in 1789).
This book taught Darwin to appreciate the richness and beauty
of birds, insects, and other creatures, so much in fact, that
he started his own field notebook on his observations of birds.
Most important of all, this book helped young Darwin develop
the habit of making very close observations in nature, a habit
that would serve him well all his life.
(3) Natural History Museum - During his second year
at Edinburgh, Darwin found himself alone - his brother having
moved to London to study anatomy. He spent much of his free
time hanging around the Natural History Museum in Edinburgh.
Mr. William Macgillivray, the curator of the museum, took the
young Darwin under his wing and taught him volumes on botany,
animal anatomy, and inspired Darwin to start taking notes on
his observations in nature. His habit of taking notes on his
observations was thus strengthened, and proved vitally important
during his voyage around the world aboard the Beagle.
(4) Plinian Society - Early in his second year of medical
studies, Darwin started attending the meetings of the Plinian
Society - a science club that focused on the merits of studying
the world from a natural point of view, rather than a supernatural
one. On 27 March 1827 Darwin gave his first speech before the
Society on the marine biology of the Firth of Forth, an estuary
just north of Edinburgh. The debates at these meetings were
perhaps Darwin's first exposure to a discussion of evolutionary
theory. Apparently, however, at this time the importance of
such ideas did not strike Darwin as being particularly meaningful.
(5) Robert Grant - During the winter and spring of
his second year, Darwin developed a friendship with the Zoology
Professor Robert Grant.
They would often go out on long walks together at the Firth
of Forth, discussing marine biology and collecting marine animals.
Darwin started dissecting some of the specimens they collected,
although rather poorly. Grant taught him how to make observations
in nature and how to spot important specimens. During these
walks Grant filled Darwin's head with evolutionary ideas, especially
those of the French naturalist, Lamarck, whom Grant admired
a great deal. Darwin was not exactly sure what to make of all
this heretical evolutionary talk.
the end of his second year of medical school it became apparent
that Darwin was (once again!) not taking his studies seriously.
He father heard through the grapevine, perhaps from his daughters,
that Darwin was not putting much into his studies at Edinburgh.
In April of 1827 Darwin quit medical school for good, and returned
home to Shrewsbury to a father who was very concern about what
to do with his "lazy" son. Little did his father know that his
son was being groomed by a long series of entirely unrelated
events to become the most highly respected naturalist of the
was his thirst for science nurtured at Cambridge University?
Fearing that Darwin would end up living the life of an idle
gentleman, his father decided his son should study for the clergy
- a very respectable profession in the early 1800's. Darwin
thought it was a most excellent plan, as members of the clergy
were quite keen to engage in natural history studies. He fancied
himself leading a small parish village church and spending his
spare time studying the flora and fauna of the local countryside
- Darwin's idea of heaven. In the mean time, Darwin's social
life was looking up. He took an interest in his sister's close
friend, Fanny Owen, and he often visited her at her father's
house. In January Darwin started his first term at Cambridge
University, at Christ's College.
As was previously the case, Darwin did not take his studies
very seriously. He only attended a few of the compulsory lectures,
and those did not excite him very much. A lot of his time was
spent shooting birds in the countryside, playing cards with
his friends, and going to dinner parties. He also enjoyed readings
of Shakespeare in his rooms, and the engravings of Raffaello
Morghen and Peter Muller at the Fitzwilliam Collection in Cambridge.
Four events during the three years Darwin spent at Cambridge
were to have a profound impact on his life. These were: (1)
Beetle collecting, (2) befriending Revd. John Stevens Henslow,
(3) meeting Professor Adam Sedgwick, and (4) reading two books
by Sir John Herschel and Alexander von Humboldt.
(1) Insect collecting - While at Cambridge Darwin took
up a new hobby with a passion - beetle collecting. His cousin,
William Fox, who
was also attending Cambridge, introduced Darwin to entomology
and taught him a great deal about insect classification, and
how to work in the field. Quite a lot of Darwin's spare time
was spent out in the countryside collecting beetles, and it
is not too far of a stretch to say he was addicted to his new
hobby. Fanny Owen often scolded him for wasting his time with
his beetles. Eventually Darwin had to choose between his girlfriend
and entomology. The choice came during his second year at Cambridge.
Instead of visiting his girlfriend at her father's house during
winter break, he stayed in Cambridge so he could spend all his
time chasing after beetles (rather than chasing his girlfriend).
Two months later Fanny broke up with poor Charles because he
showed more interest in bugs than in her! All humor aside, beetle
collecting taught Darwin many vital scientific skills, which
included: how to identify species, the proper manner of cataloguing
specimens, methods of comparative anatomy, and how to work efficiently
in the field.
(2) Prof. Revd. John Henslow - It would not be an understatement
to say that Revd. John
Henslow had the greatest influence upon Charles Darwin during
his Cambridge days. Their relationship started when Darwin's
cousin, William Fox, invited him to one of Henslow's Friday
night dinner parties and introduced Darwin to Henslow. At these
dinner parties Henslow gave informal lessons to the upper class
students on all matters of science. Darwin soaked up every ounce
of knowledge that Henslow dispensed, and in a short time he
saw Henslow as one to emulate - a preeminent member of the clergy
who was a naturalist beyond compare. Henslow was also impressed
with Darwin, and invited him to attend his botany lectures.
In Darwin's third year at Cambridge Henslow became his tutor
in math and theology.
In time Henslow saw that Darwin was a young gentleman who had
great potential as a naturalist. He spent much of his time nurturing
his favorite student, and invited him on his scientific excursions
into the surrounding countryside. Before long Henslow and Darwin
could be seen taking walks around the streets of Cambridge,
discussing all matters of scientific inquiry, and Darwin became
known as "The man who walks with Henslow." Under Henslow, Darwin's
storehouse of scientific knowledge was greatly expanded. He
became familiar with such diverse topics as: geology, mathematics,
entomology, mineralogy, chemistry, and botany. Perhaps the most
profound influence Henslow had on Darwin was that he helped
him develop confidence in his own abilities, and made him realize
that he had the potential to become a top-notch naturalist.
It was at this point that Darwin finally decided what to do
with his life. He would become a naturalist and with a little
luck, he thought to himself, he may even contribute a little
something to humanity's vast store of scientific knowledge.
(3) Professor Adam Sedgwick - Sedgwick was the Woodwardian
Professor of Geology at Cambridge University and was one of
the most renowned geologists in all of England. Darwin was introduced
to Sedgwick by Henslow
during his third year at Cambridge after Darwin expressed an
interest in exploring the Canary Islands. During spring term
of 1831 Darwin attended many of Sedgwick's geology lectures
and, as opposed to his experience in Edinburgh, he found them
most enjoyable. Seeing that a knowledge of field geology would
benefit Darwin on his Canary Island excursion, Sedgwick and
Darwin went on a geological tour of North Wales during the summer
of 1831. The knowledge Darwin gained from Sedgwick turned out
to be of invaluable use during his voyage around the world on
(4) Two Great Books - During his last year at Cambridge
University, after completing his final exam (he scored 10th
place!) Darwin read Sir John Herschel's "Preliminary Discourse
on the Study of Natural Philosophy." The primary influence of
this book was that it convinced Darwin that there were no limits
to the wonders that scientific investigation could uncover,
and this instilled in Darwin a burning zeal for science. Another
book he read (in the Spring 1831) was Alexander von Humboldt's
7-volume "Personal Narrative of the Travels to the Equinoctial
Regions of America During the Years 1799-1804." It was this
book that really got Darwin's imagination spinning, and he was
now dreaming about exploring the glorious tropical rain forests
of South America (he was unaware of the H.M.S. Beagle voyage
at this time).
the time Darwin was twenty-two years old he was by no means
a "finished naturalist" but he did posses a general knowledge
of a wide variety of scientific fields. Perhaps what was more
important, however, is that Darwin had developed a burning
passion for natural science and an unbounded enthusiasm for
exploration. The foundation was now set for Darwin to become
one of the greatest naturalists of the 19th century.
kind of music did Charles Darwin like?
is known about Darwin's musical disposition as a child. There
is no indication that he ever played a musical instrument,
nor had an appreciation of music in general. As a young man
Darwin acquired a taste for classical music while studying
at Cambridge University. He often visited King's College there,
and would sit for hours listening to the church choir.
What is interesting about Darwin's fondness for music is that
he was tone deaf, and had a very difficult time recalling
a tune he just heard the day before. Darwin was also unable
to hum a tune properly, or keep time to music as he was listening
to it. As far as specific composers go, he loved the symphonies
and overtures of Mozart, Handel and Beethoven. In the evenings
his wife, Emma, who was quite an accomplished pianist (she
was trained by Frederic Chopin), would play for him on her
piano forte as he reclined on a nearby sofa.
sorts of literature did Darwin like?
his childhood Darwin was an avid reader, and this continued
throughout his entire life. From an early age he was quite
keen on the historical plays of Shakespeare. While in grade
school at Shrewsbury he admired the "Odes of Horace" a great
Although Darwin seemed to be born with an innate interest
in the natural world, it was not until the Summer of 1826
that the books he read started to spark his serious interest
in studying nature. During this time he read Revd. Gilbert
White's: "The Natural History of Selborne" and he came away
from this book with a much greater appreciation for wildlife.
While attending Cambridge University, Darwin was further inspired
by literature in such works as: William Paley's: "Natural
Theology," Sir John Herschel's book: "Preliminary Discourse
on the Study of Natural Philosophy" and Alexander von Humboldt's
7-vol. "Personal Narrative" of his South America travels.
During the Beagle voyage he always read Milton's "Paradise
Lost" when he had a spare moment. While living in London after
the voyage, Darwin read some metaphysical books, but found
that he was not well suited to them. It was during this same
time in his life that he became fond of the poetry of William
Wordsworth, and Samuel Coleridge.
In his later years Darwin was very fond of novels by Jane
Austen, and Elizabeth Gaskell, the poems of Lord Byron, and
the historical novels of Sir Walter Scott. Darwin was always
quick to point out that he did not enjoy novels with a depressing
ending. He wife, Emma, would read novels to him twice a day
while he reclined on a sofa, and he took great pleasure in
this daily routine. He also enjoyed books of narrated travels.
Darwin also read a huge volume of scientific works, and his
treatment of these was most interesting. It seems he treated
them simply as a tool and took little care to keep such books
in good condition. For example, he would cut books in half
to make them easier to hold while reading, or just tear out
smaller sections of books that related to his current research
interests. Darwin also heavily marked books, and added plenty
of personal remarks in the margins. His method of reading
was very methodical - he used to take notes on the scientific
books he read, and then made abstracts from his notes.
In late years his taste for literature and the arts diminished
greatly, so much so that even listening to music caused him
much stress. Darwin also lost his appreciation for poetry
and paintings, a fact that saddened him a great deal.
was Darwin's family life like?
home life Charles Darwin was unlike that of most Victorian country
gentleman. The most striking difference was seen in how he interacted
with his children. The well to do in Victorian England would
hire a governess to assist the wife in bringing up the children
and seeing to their education. The father was more of a remote
figure who engaged himself in politics, business or other gentlemanly
pursuits. He typically had a detachment from bringing up the
children. While it is true that there was a governess in Down
House who assisted Emma in bringing up the children, Charles
always took a keen interest in whatever they were doing.
let his daughter illustrate how Darwin related to his children.
all of us he was the most delightful play-fellow, and the most
perfect sympathizer. Indeed, it is impossible adequately to
describe how delightful a relation his was to his family, whether
as children or in their later life."
is a proof of the terms on which we were, and also of how much
he was valued as a play-fellow, that one of his sons, when about
four years old tried to bribe him with sixpence to come and
play in working hours."
must have been the most patient and delightful of nurses. I
remember the haven of peace and comfort it seemed to me when
I was unwell, to be tucked up on the study sofa, idly considering
the old geological map hung on the wall. This must have been
in his working hours, for I always picture him sitting in the
horse hair arm chair by the corner of the fire."
seems to me, as I look back upon it, to have been very regular
in those early days, and except for relations (and a few intimate
friends), I do not think any one came to the house. After lessons
we were always free to go where we would, and that was chiefly
in the drawing-room and about the garden, so that we were very
much with both my father and mother. We used to think it most
delightful when he told us any stories about the Beagle, or
about early Shrewsbury days - little bits about school life
and his boyish tastes."
cared for all our pursuits and interests, and lived our lives
with us in a way that very few fathers do. But I am certain
that none of us felt that this intimacy interfered the least
with our respect and obedience. Whatever he said was absolute
truth and law to us. He always put his whole mind into answering
any of our questions."
characteristic of his treatment of his children was his respect
for their liberty, and for their personality. Even as quite
a little girl, I remember rejoicing in this sense of freedom.
Our father and mother would not even wish to know what we were
doing or thinking unless we wished to tell. He always made us
feel that we were each of us creatures whose opinions and thoughts
were valuable to him, so that whatever there was best in us
came out in the sunshine of his presence." Autobiography
of Charles Darwin and Selected Letters. Darwin, Francis (Editor).
New York: Dover Publications, 1992. Pages 90-92.
relation to his wife, Emma, was a very special one, for it was
with her that Darwin found his happiness. In a life filled with
almost continued illness, the presence of Emma transformed Darwin's
life into one of "quiet and content gladness". His
son, Francis Darwin, writes:
one indeed, except my mother, knows the full amount of suffering
he endured, or the full amount of his wonderful patience. For
all the latter years of his life she never left him for a night;
and her days were so planned that all his resting hours might
be shared with her. She shielded him from every avoidable annoyance,
and omitted nothing that might save him trouble, or prevent
him becoming overtired, or that might alleviate the many discomforts
of his ill-health." Page 109
day to day lives were entwined in a manner that was rare for
an upper class Victorian family. Every day Emma would read to
him from one of the popular novels of the day, especially those
by Austen, Dickens and Gaskel. She was very fond of music, and
played the piano forte (she was taught by Frederic Chopin) in
the drawing room every day as Darwin relaxed on the sofa. In
the afternoons they would stroll together in the garden as the
children played around them.
father much enjoyed wandering idly in the garden with my mother
or some of his children, or making one of a party, sitting out
on a bench on the lawn; he generally sat, however, on the grass,
and I remember him often lying under one of the big lime-trees,
with his head on the green mound at its foot. In dry summer
weather, when we often sat out, the fly-wheel of the well was
commonly heard spinning round, and so the sound became associated
with those pleasant days. He used to like to watch us playing
at lawn-tennis, and often knocked up a stray ball for us with
the curved handle of his stick." page 76
the evenings Emma and Charles played two games of backgammon
in the drawing room, and this routine continued for nearly forty
years. Apparently Emma was the better player, as Darwin kept
a tally of who won every night. He would often explode in mock
anger and lamented his bad luck while Emma smiled at her good
manner in which Darwin related to his family was truly special.
In fact, based on conversations I have had with other Darwin
enthusiasts and with some of his descendants, it is safe to
say that for Darwin his family life was far more important to
him than his research into the natural sciences.
were Darwin's views on politics?
is only a scant bit of information known about specific political
views of Charles Darwin. His political leaning was on the Whig
side of things (i.e. - Liberal), as was everyone in his family,
including the Wedgwoods, and most of his friends. It is known
that he much enjoyed reading up on the political doings up in
London, but he seems to have done so out of a sense of pure
entertainment. Although Darwin was a "Country Gentleman"
he never became actively involved in politics, except for being
the Justice of the Peace for the village of Downe.
is known that Darwin, as well as his friends and family, were
very much in favor of the Great Reform Act of 1832, which extended
voting rights to millions of formally disenfranchised citizens.
He was also a staunch supporter of the abolishment of slavery.
Here are a few excerpts from letters Darwin wrote home while
on the Beagle Voyage:
Captain does every thing in his power to assist me, & we
get on very well - but I thank my better fortune he has not
made me a renegade to Whig principles: I would not be a Tory,
if it was merely on account of their cold hearts about that
scandal to Christian Nations, Slavery."
-- To Revd. John Henslow 18 May 1832 from Rio de Janeiro.
a proud thing for England, if she is the first European nation
which utterly abolishes it. I was told before leaving England,
that after in Slave countries: all my opinions would be altered;
the only alteration I am aware of is forming a much higher estimate
of the Negro character."
-- To his sister, Catherine, on 22 May 1833 from Maldonado,
does one's heart good to hear how things are going on in England.
Hurrah for the honest Whigs. I trust they will soon attack that
monstrous stain on our boasted liberty, Colonial Slavery. I
have seen enough of Slavery & the disposition of the negros,
to be thoroughly disgusted with the lies & nonsense one
hears on the subject in England."
-- To John Herbert on 2 June, 1833 from Maldonado, Rio Plata.
passed a law that emancipated all slaves in the British colonies
in August of 1833.
were Darwin's religious views?
Darwin was baptized on November 17, 1809 at St. Chad's church
in Shrewsbury, and his mother, Suzsanna, took him to services
at the Unitarian church in High Street. She died when Darwin
was just eight years old, but he continued to attend church
on a regular basis with his sisters. There is very little known
about Darwin's religious beliefs during his childhood. He was
sent to Rev. Case's day school at St. Chad's for one year, and
afterwards was sent to Dr. Butler's Shrewsbury School where
he studied until age sixteen. It is, therefore, safe to assume
that Darwin received a proper religious schooling during his
Darwin was a young man he found it very difficult to let go
of his religious beliefs. Indeed, during the Beagle Voyage he
was very orthodox, and would often quote passages out of the
bible to the ill-mannered sailors on board. By the time he returned
to England in 1836 he had come to view the events depicted in
the Old Testament as allegory in nature. What events during
the Beagle Voyage caused Darwin to become less religious? During
the Voyage he had ample opportunity to see the cruelties of
slavery and wondered how god could allow such inhumanity to
exist. He also could not accept that a kind god would allow
humans to live in such a wretched state as the natives of Tierra
del Fuego. Why would god allow such suffering in the world was
an internal conflict Darwin could not resolve.
the next twenty years of his life, Darwin was engaged in research
on the origin of species. He came to see that species were not
fixed over time, but rather they adapted to their changing environment
from one generation to the next. This flied in the face of the
Church which held fast to the notion that all species were created
by god as perfectly suited for the environment he placed them
in. There was no need for change in the perfect world that god
created. Over these twenty years Darwin became less and less
religious as he slowly uncovered the laws of natural selection.
in his Cambridge days he believed in William Paley's "Argument
from Design" as evidence for god's place in nature. By
the time Darwin wrote "Origin of Species" he held
the view that: "The old argument of design in nature, as
given by Paley, which formerly seemed to me as conclusive, fails,
now that the law of natural selection has been discovered. We
can no longer argue that, for instance, the beautiful hinge
of a bivalve shell must have been made by an intelligent being,
like the hinge of a door by man. There seems to be no more design
in the variability of organic beings and in the action of natural
selection, than in the course which the wind blows. Everything
in nature is the result of fixed laws" (Barlow, Page -
there appears to be a common misconception regarding the religious
views of Charles Darwin. First of all, Darwin was never an atheist.
While it is true that in his later years he was not religious
to any extent, he never entirely discounted the existence of
god. In his Autobiography, Darwin says he was a theist by the
time he wrote "Origin of Species" and that he believed
in an intelligent first cause. However, it was his view that
the nature of this "first cause" was something beyond
man's vision. The death of his daughter, Annie, on 23 April
1851 was a crushing blow to his religious beliefs, and from
this time forward he stopped attending church with his family.
It was only after a very long and slow process spanning his
entire life that Darwin came to be an agnostic.
did Charles Darwin resolve the supposed conflict between science
and religion? Well, for Darwin there never was much of a conflict.
He saw religion as a strictly personal matter and regarded science
as completely separate from religion. In general, he thought
that the question of god's existence was outside the scope of
scientific inquiry. However, and this may seem contradictory,
he did think that his theory of evolution was compatible with
a belief in god, but did not think that the natural laws of
evolution imply a purposeful god created them.
the many reasons for man's belief in god, Darwin wrote during
the end of his life: "I cannot pretend to throw the least
light on such abstruse problems. The mystery of the beginning
of all things is insoluble to us; and I for one must be content
to remain an agnostic." (Barlow, Page - 94)