Surprising things about Surprising things about Charles DarwinCharles Darwin

Surprising things about Surprising things about Charles DarwinCharles Darwin

Just a guy with a good idea?Just a guy with a good idea?Just a guy with a good idea?Just a guy with a good idea? Darwin just a normal guy with

problems and opportunities Never said “Man came from monkeys” Respect the man and his

accomplishments if not his idea

LifelineLifelineLifelineLifeline 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 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 and approved by the church

Was primarily descriptive Deduction and theorizing was

disparaged and condemned 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 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

Galapogos, 1835Galapogos, 1835Galapogos, 1835Galapogos, 1835 Portrayed as a “Eureka” experience. Actually, was hugely homesick 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 Beagle in Sydney HarborThe Beagle in Sydney HarborThe Beagle in Sydney HarborThe Beagle in Sydney Harbor

Darwin in AustraliaDarwin in AustraliaDarwin in AustraliaDarwin in Australia Only visited three places in Australia

Sydney, Jan 1836 Hobart, Feb 1836 Albany, Mar 1836

“On the whole I do not like New South Wales. It is no doubt an admirable place to accumulate pounds and shillings; but heaven forbid that I should live where every man is sure be somewhere between a petty rogue and a bloodthirsty villain.” (Darwin to Henslow)

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 Lyell’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

Influence of economicsInfluence of economicsInfluence of economicsInfluence of economics He read Malthus and Adam Smith Saw specialization benefits in factory-

Wedgewood China (wife’s family owned it)

Evolutionary biology makes use of models from economics, especially game theory. Example: “The Selfish Gene”, Richard

Dawkins

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 that

needed to be analyzed

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 Sea sickness Problems throughout life

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

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

Chaga’s disease or just nervous?

CourageCourageCourageCourage On Beagle voyage, rode hundreds of

miles through bandit areas and war zones in South America

Worked through his illnesses. Was willing to publish “Origins”

despite the risks

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

Alfred Russel WallaceAlfred Russel WallaceAlfred Russel WallaceAlfred Russel Wallace Thought of natural selection (1959) Wrote to Darwin Darwin had been working on book Published a “letter” jointly Wallace didn’t

put in the hard yards collecting and documenting evidence to support theory

remain in favour of the theory

Darwin did!

ReligionReligionReligionReligion Started out on path to clergy

“The Darwins had produced lawyers and military men, but Charles lacked the self-discipline. There was, however, a safety net to stop second sons becoming wastrels: the Church of England. An aimless son with a penchant for field sports would fit in nicely.” (Desmond & Moore)

Signed 39 articles of faith A naturalist parson?

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.