Surprising truths about Surprising truths about Charles DarwinCharles Darwin

Surprising truths about Surprising truths about Charles DarwinCharles Darwin

LifelineLifelineLifelineLifeline Born 1809 College (Edinburgh and Cambridge)

1825-1831 Beagle Voyage 1831-36 Retired to Down 1842 The Origin of Species

1859 Died 1882 Darwin’s home at Down, near London

Darwin’s achievementsDarwin’s achievementsDarwin’s achievementsDarwin’s achievements Transformed biological science

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

Transformed attitudes of humanity to our place in the universe

Not just an evolutionistNot just an evolutionistNot just an evolutionistNot 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 His books (not just on evolution)(not just on evolution)His books His books (not just on evolution)(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

Contribution to style of scienceContribution to style of scienceContribution to style of scienceContribution 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

Natural selectionNatural selectionNatural selectionNatural 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

Not first to propose evolutionNot first to propose evolutionNot first to propose evolutionNot 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”

Darwin was mis-creditedDarwin was mis-creditedDarwin was mis-creditedDarwin 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.

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

Joining the Beagle VoyageJoining the Beagle VoyageJoining the Beagle VoyageJoining the Beagle Voyage Not paid for 5 years on Beagle. Actually, he had to pay! Was lucky to get on

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

Galapagos, 1835Galapagos, 1835Galapagos, 1835Galapagos, 1835 Portrayed as a “Eureka” experience. Did not recognize significance until

back in England, 1837. Worked out theory much later. First inkling of natural selection in 1838.

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: The Big Idea: Natural SelectionNatural Selection

The Big Idea: The Big Idea: Natural SelectionNatural Selection

He knew about fossils Collected many for extinct animals Knew about Llyell’s theory of

“evolution” of geology Read Malthus (an economist) on

population and competition for resources. His ideas developed steadily over 20

years!!!!

Darwin’s sand walk at Down: a daily thoughtful stroll

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

AnguishAnguishAnguishAnguish Social class

Respectability Evolution subversive - against his class

Religous considerations especially worried about hurting wife

Emma who grieved for his soul

Scientific prejudice against “speculation”

“Like confessing a murder.”

IllnessIllnessIllnessIllness Problems throughout life

violent shivering, vomiting, exhaustion, palpitations, hands trembling, head swimming, sleeplessness, headaches, flatulence, stomach problems, ringing of ears, fainting, copious pallid urine

In 1841 could work “an hour or two a couple of days a week.”

Chaga’s disease? Just nervous? Poisoning himself with medecine?

Slow to publish: Why so long?Slow to publish: Why so long?Slow to publish: Why so long?Slow to publish: Why so long? Detailed analysis, collection of a

wealth of evidence pigeons barnacles

BarnaclesBarnaclesBarnaclesBarnacles Started out as a brief study.

Took 8 years (from 1848). Huge 2 volume treatise overhauling entire

sub-class.

Dominated his kids lives One of his kids asked a friend, “Where does

your dad do his barnacles?”

Established him as a biological specialist, not just a geologist

Royal Society Medal

WealthWealthWealthWealth Father a wealthy doctor Reduced his enthusiasm to get a job as

a doctor or clergyman Wealth bought time and resources Made money from investments (land

and railway stocks), not from books!!!

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

Buried in Westminster Abbey The Times: “The Abbey needed Darwin

more than Darwin needed the Abbey.”

Religious conflictReligious conflictReligious conflictReligious conflict 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!The End!The End!The End!

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

Congratulations!!!!