This site is dedicated to Darwin and his work!!! Read on to find out more!!!
A BRIEF HISTORY OF DARWIN, TO START IT OFF!
Charles Darwin was born on the 12 February 1809. His parents were Dr. Robert Darwin and Susannah Wedgewood, daughter of Josiah Wedgewood (the famous potter!).
In 1831, Charles went on his voyage on the HMS Beagle. He was a naturalist on the ship for 5 years! He returned home in 1836.
In 1839, Darwin married his cousin, Emma Wedgewood. In 1842, they moved to Downe House, in the village of Downe, in Kent.
Darwin and Emma had 10 children, the favourite being his eldest daughter, Annie. Annie died in 1852, causing Charles to lose all faith in God.
Darwin died on the 19 April 1882, at the age of 81. He was buried at Westminster Abbey.
Darwin In Depth
Early Life / Childhood
Aboard the HMS Beagle
Emma Darwin and Family Life
The End
The Beagle 2
Early Life / Childhood
When Charles was a young boy, he enjoyed shooting, rat catching and experiments with his brother. His ambition was to become a champion shooter, and he never imagined being famous!!! He often bunked off of school, and went to Edinburgh University, to study as a doctor when he was around 16 - 18!
During his time in Edinburgh, Darwin witnessed 2 operations performed without anaesthetic!
He said: "I attended on two occasions the operating theatre in the hospital at Edinburgh, and saw two very bad operations, one a child, but i rushed away before they were completed. Nor did i ever attend again, for hardly any inducement would have been strong to do so; this being long before the blessed days of chloroform. The two cases fairly haunted me for many a long year."
18 Months later, Charles left Edinburgh, and went to Cambridge instead to study as a clergy man. Soon after, Darwin was selected to be the naturalist, on the voyage of the HMS Beagle.
Aboard The HMS Beagle
In, the early 19 century, the Royal Navy was involved in surveying parts of the world, in support of the increasing number of vessels involved in trade.
Charles was invited as a companion for Captain Fitzroy, and as the Beagle's naturalist.
His father refused to let Darwin go at first, but Josiah Wedgewood II, persuaded him to let Charles go!
The Beagle set sail on the 27 December 1831. The crew was of 74 men and there were also 3 other men, who had been brought to England to be educated, and were returning to their homeland to spread civilisation and Christianity.
Darwin was often ill during the voyage, but it offered him the opportunity to reflect on the natural world: Geology, fossils, plants and animals.
Plan Of The HMS Beagle
He made copious notes, and built up a very large collection of specimens. His work and observation on finches in the Galapagos Islands were a particular turning point in his theory of evolution.
Map Of The Beagle Voyage
Posted by hero/charlesdarwin
at 3:06 PM BST
Updated: Thursday, 14 August 2003 6:28 PM BST
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Updated: Thursday, 14 August 2003 6:28 PM BST
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