Surprising truths about Charles Darwin

LifelineLifeline n Born 1809 n College (Edinburgh and Cambridge) n Beagle Voyage n Retired to Down 1842 n The Origin of Species 1859 n Died 1882 Darwin’s home at Down, near London

Darwin’s achievements n Transformed biological science  Both style and content  Still the cornerstone of biology  Now the cutting edge of psychology n Transformed attitudes of humanity to our place in the universe

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

His books (not just on evolution) n Beagle voyage n Coral reefs n Volcanic islands n Geology of South America n Barnacles n Species n Man n Emotions n Climbing plants n Domestication n Cross and self fertilisation n Orchids n Worms n Autobiography

Contribution to style of science n Pre-Darwin, science was done in homage to God n Was primarily descriptive n Deduction and theorising was disparaged as “speculation” n Darwin used detailed observation to explore much larger questions - helped change scientific methods

Natural selection n Developed theory in complete isolation n In face of violent opposition n With no knowledge of genetics n With no knowledge of DNA n With no knowledge of plate tectonics n With no observations of natural selection actually occurring

Not first to propose evolution n French tradition  Jean-Baptiste Lamark  Etienne Geoffroy St Hilaire n Erasmus Darwin (Grandfather) n Robert Grant (Mentor) n Was expounded in a popular book (“Vestiges”) 15 years before “Origin”

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

The Beagle Only 90 foot long, but carrying 74 people.

Joining the Beagle Voyage n Not paid for 5 years on Beagle. n Actually, he had to pay! n Was lucky to get on  replaced someone who was shot in a duel  his father opposed him going n Mainly asked because of his class, to keep Captain Fitzroy company n It was the making of him

Galapagos, 1835 n Portrayed as a “Eureka” experience. n Did not recognize significance until back in England,  Worked out theory much later.  First inkling of natural selection in n Turtles & finches were key evidence  On boat home, ate turtles, dumped shells  Thought finches different species; didn’t even label them properly

The Big Idea: Natural Selection n He knew about fossils n Collected many for extinct animals n Knew about Llyell’s theory of “evolution” of geology n Read Malthus (an economist) on population and competition for resources. n His ideas developed steadily over 20 years!!!! Darwin’s sand walk at Down: a daily thoughtful stroll

Slow to publish: Why so long? n Anguish n Illness n Slow development of ideas n Collection of a wealth of evidence

AnguishAnguish n Social class  Respectability  Evolution subversive - against his class n Religous considerations  especially worried about hurting wife Emma who grieved for his soul n Scientific prejudice against “speculation” n “Like confessing a murder.”

IllnessIllness n Problems throughout life  violent shivering, vomiting, exhaustion, palpitations, hands trembling, head swimming, sleeplessness, headaches, flatulence, stomach problems, ringing of ears, fainting, copious pallid urine n In 1841 could work “an hour or two a couple of days a week.” n Chaga’s disease? Just nervous? Poisoning himself with medecine?

Slow to publish: Why so long? n Detailed analysis, collection of a wealth of evidence  pigeons  barnacles

BarnaclesBarnacles n Started out as a brief study.  Took 8 years (from 1848).  Huge 2 volume treatise overhauling entire sub-class. n Dominated his kids lives  One of his kids asked a friend, “Where does your dad do his barnacles?” n Established him as a biological specialist, not just a geologist  Royal Society Medal

WealthWealth n Father a wealthy doctor n Reduced his enthusiasm to get a job as a doctor or clergyman n Wealth bought time and resources n Made money from investments (land and railway stocks), not from books!!!

n Religion did accommodate Darwin to some extent  Many religious leaders not literalist  Science served religion, so its findings were taken as revelations of God’s plan n Buried in Westminster Abbey  The Times: “The Abbey needed Darwin more than Darwin needed the Abbey.” Religious conflict n Samuel Wilberforce vs T.H.Huxley “Was it from your mother’s side or your father’s side that you were descended from an ape?” “If the question is whether I would rather have a miserable ape for a grandfather or a man of means and influence who uses these gifts to introduce ridicule into a grave scientific discussion, I unhesitatingly affirm my preference for the ape!” “For once reality and his brain came into contact, and the result was fatal.” Years later Wilberforce fell off his horse, landed on his head and was killed.

The End! Now you know a LOT about the life of Charles Darwin!! Congratulations!!!!