Little Book of Darwin 2017

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Little Book of Darwin 2017 The little book of DARWIN SHREWSBURY Charles Darwin Shrewsbury, an inspirational setting. In the 1800’s it roused the exceptionally inquisitive mind of Charles Darwin. He spent 27 years of his life in the town and went on to inspire the world. 2 “The very essence of instinct is that it’s followed independently of reason.” Charles Darwin 1871 3 Early years The story begins on The Mount, just a short walk from Welsh Bridge, Shrewsbury. Built by his father Robert Darwin in 1798, Mount House was Darwin’s family home and it was here in the gardens that his curiosity for the natural world flourished. “I love fools’ experiments. I am always making them.” Charles Darwin 1853 4 5 A born naturalist Darwin loved all things natural. As a boy he spent afternoons searching for creatures in the 30 acre Quarry Park and catching newts in the River Severn. A mischievous child, he convinced his school friends that the names of plants could be distinguished by looking very closely at the centre of the flower. 6 7 Darwin’s school days Darwin’s experiences of growing up in Shropshire combined with his liberal upbringing helped shape the man who would become a world figure. In the 1800’s Shrewsbury Library on Castle Gates was home to Shrewsbury School where Darwin studied before attending university. His headmaster Dr Butler revealed he had little hope of filling his pupil’s head with Latin or Greek as Darwin had already started observing and recording the natural world around him. 8 9 Sites that inspired Darwin’s first introduction to geology was a granite boulder, called the Bellstone, situated in Morris Hall courtyard in Shrewsbury town centre. Shropshire has rocks from more periods of geology than anywhere else in the world. The glacial meres and scars that shaped the Shropshire landscape and deposits they left, including the Bellstone, convinced the young Darwin that the world was much older than the popular thinking at the time. Check out Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery for an engaging insight into the past. “A moral being is one who is capable of reflecting on his past actions and their motives – of approving of some and disapproving of others.” Charles Darwin 1874 10 11 Church life Shrewsbury is blessed with interesting and beautiful churches – two have links to Charles Darwin. In November 1809 Darwin was baptised at St Chad’s at the top of Claremont Hill on St Chad’s Terrace. The Unitarian Church on High Street is where Darwin worshipped with his mother until she died when he was aged eight. There is a commemorative plaque to Darwin inside the church and another plaque outside outlining the liberal outlook of the Unitarian movement which is thought to have helped Charles develop his open and enquiring mind. 12 “I am turned into a sort of machine for observing facts and grinding out conclusions.” Charles Darwin 1880 13 Independent thinking Shrewsbury, like its famous son, is a one-off. A vibrant mix of old and new. Explore the town’s medieval streets and you’ll soon see how Darwin’s original thinking still inspires Shrewsbury’s entrepreneurs and creatives today. The independent businesses outnumber the chains across town and on Wyle Cop there is an uninterrupted row of 50 independents. “I am not apt to follow blindly the lead of other men. I have steadily endeavoured to keep my mind free.” Charles Darwin 1876 14 15 A journey of discovery His curiosity, natural inquisitiveness and desire to understand his world made Charles Darwin the ideal candidate for his voyage of discovery on HMS Beagle. It was from the Lion Hotel on Wyle Cop that Charles Darwin caught the coach south to meet The Beagle and begin his epic voyage. On this five year journey he collected specimens from animals, plants and fossils from four continents. He would use the experience to develop the theory of evolution by natural selection and write The Origin of Species and change how the world would view man’s evolution. To plan your Darwin inspired trip, go to originalshrewsbury.co.uk 16 17 Evolution Explored Darwin’s birthday in February is the perfect excuse to visit Shrewsbury. Annual events around the 12th February include talks, trails and activities to keep the mind ticking. Look out for new events opening up the theme of #evolutionexplored at evolutionexplored.org At any time of year, you can follow in Darwin’s footsteps using the way markers on the Darwin Town Trail to see the places that influenced the young Charles Darwin. Also inspiring the next generation is University Centre Shrewsbury, a distinctive institution focused on high quality teaching and learning. 18 19 Quiz 1. What made Darwin feel sick? A. beetle legs. B. peacock feathers. C. turtle shells 2. Darwin was told the “world would come to an end before anyone was able to explain how” what “came to where it now lays” A. a stone. B. the river seven. C. quantum leap statue. 3. Why did Captain Fitz-Roy almost reject Darwin to be his naturalist on the Beagle? A. he wasn’t educated enough. B. the shape of his nose. C. the way he dressed. 4. How much did Darwin agree to pay for his place on the Beagle for five years? A. £500. B. £5,000. C. £50,000. 5. In Darwin’s autobiography he states that a taste for what, is an indication for future success in life? A. being able to run at great speed. B. a loathing of classical languages. C. collecting beetles. 6. Where in Shrewsbury did Darwin contemplate his life decisions? A. Town Walls. B. Wyle Cop. C. The Quarry. For the answers visit originalshrewsbury,co.uk/darwin-quiz 20 “The love of all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.” Charles Darwin 1871 21 22 23 “A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.” Charles Darwin 1836 @originalshrews /originalshrewsbury originalshrews originalshrewsbury.co.uk.
Recommended publications
  • Charles Darwin: a Companion
    CHARLES DARWIN: A COMPANION Charles Darwin aged 59. Reproduction of a photograph by Julia Margaret Cameron, original 13 x 10 inches, taken at Dumbola Lodge, Freshwater, Isle of Wight in July 1869. The original print is signed and authenticated by Mrs Cameron and also signed by Darwin. It bears Colnaghi's blind embossed registration. [page 3] CHARLES DARWIN A Companion by R. B. FREEMAN Department of Zoology University College London DAWSON [page 4] First published in 1978 © R. B. Freeman 1978 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the permission of the publisher: Wm Dawson & Sons Ltd, Cannon House Folkestone, Kent, England Archon Books, The Shoe String Press, Inc 995 Sherman Avenue, Hamden, Connecticut 06514 USA British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data Freeman, Richard Broke. Charles Darwin. 1. Darwin, Charles – Dictionaries, indexes, etc. 575′. 0092′4 QH31. D2 ISBN 0–7129–0901–X Archon ISBN 0–208–01739–9 LC 78–40928 Filmset in 11/12 pt Bembo Printed and bound in Great Britain by W & J Mackay Limited, Chatham [page 5] CONTENTS List of Illustrations 6 Introduction 7 Acknowledgements 10 Abbreviations 11 Text 17–309 [page 6] LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Charles Darwin aged 59 Frontispiece From a photograph by Julia Margaret Cameron Skeleton Pedigree of Charles Robert Darwin 66 Pedigree to show Charles Robert Darwin's Relationship to his Wife Emma 67 Wedgwood Pedigree of Robert Darwin's Children and Grandchildren 68 Arms and Crest of Robert Waring Darwin 69 Research Notes on Insectivorous Plants 1860 90 Charles Darwin's Full Signature 91 [page 7] INTRODUCTION THIS Companion is about Charles Darwin the man: it is not about evolution by natural selection, nor is it about any other of his theoretical or experimental work.
    [Show full text]
  • Town Guide 2020
    FREE SHREWSBURY TOWN GUIDE 2020 originalshrewsbury.co.uk Top - bottom: Theatre Severn, Wyle Cop, Charles Darwin and Mary Webb statues in School Gardens, Butcher Row, The Square, Quarry Park, St Chad’s Church, Sabrina Boat. WELCOME Shrewsbury loves people and we hope the feeling is Arrive 5 mutual. You can easily explore the town centre on foot, bike or boat and discover plenty along the way. It’s Discover 7 not just a place full of flowers, medieval passages and café culture, Shrewsbury is packed with independent Eat 11 and national shops, restaurants and bars as well as must-visit international festivals. Drink 15 If you need more information call the Visitor Shop 19 Information Centre on 01743 258888, pop into it’s office in the Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery or ask Map 24 one of the Shrewsbury Ambassadors you’ll see around town from Easter until August . Events 27 YOU CAN’T COPY SHREWSBURY Explore 29 Do 33 Enjoy 36 Roam 39 48 Hours 42 Stay 45 For more information visit orginalshrewsbury.co.uk & visitshropshire.co.uk ORIGINAL SHREWSBURY AMBASSADORS From 11th April until late September visitors to Shrewsbury can discover the full range of what the town has to offer thanks to our team of Ambassadors. The Ambassadors, introduced in 2019, work alongside the Shrewsbury Town Guides and help visitors discover the hidden gems in the town. Ambassadors are on duty on them at points throughout the town Saturdays and Sundays from 10am and they can be spotted wearing to 2pm. Their aim is provide a better their bright blue tops and a experience for visitors and to help welcoming smile! them make the most of all that You can also volunteer by going to the Shrewsbury has to offer.
    [Show full text]
  • Erasmus Darwin
    ERASMUS DARWIN “NARRATIVE HISTORY” AMOUNTS TO FABULATION, THE REAL STUFF BEING MERE CHRONOLOGY “Stack of the Artist of Kouroo” Project Erasmus Darwin HDT WHAT? INDEX ERASMUS DARWIN ERASMUS DARWIN 1619 In London, William Harvey confirmed the fact of circulation of the blood. What remained to be figured out was the mechanism by which this was occurring — as we didn’t as yet know of the network of capillaries inside the tissue by which the circuit is completed. Between this year and 1628 he would be constructing his theory of circulation. THE SCIENCE OF 1619 HDT WHAT? INDEX ERASMUS DARWIN ERASMUS DARWIN 1621 The botanist John Tradescant joins the service of the Duke of Buckingham, George Villiers. At Oxford, founding of the 1st botanic garden in Britain, by Lord Henry Danvers, the Earl of Danby, 76 years after the founding of the 1st continental garden. This was probably inspired by John Tradescant’s garden of exotic plants in South Lambeth. THE SCIENCE OF 1621 HDT WHAT? INDEX ERASMUS DARWIN ERASMUS DARWIN 1690 Denis Papin published his first work on the steam engine, DE NOVIS QUIBUSDAM MACHINIS. The function of his steam engine was to raise water into a canal between Kassel and Karlshaven. He also used a steam engine to pump water to a tank on the palace roof, that supplied water for the fountains in the gardens. THE SCIENCE OF 1690 HDT WHAT? INDEX ERASMUS DARWIN ERASMUS DARWIN 1698 Thomas Savery’s “fire engine,” the first working steam engine, amounted to a pump operated by steam power which had no moving parts.
    [Show full text]
  • Shrewsbury in Bloom Portfolio – 2014
    Portfolio 2014 2010 Contents Councillor Beverley Baker – A Warm Welcome 1 Mayor of Shrewsbury Shrewsbury in Bloom Committee 2 As the Mayor of Shrewsbury it is my pleasure to welcome you to Shropshire’s Review of the Year 4-7 County Town. Illustrating your Achievements We are delighted to have been given the opportunity to once again showcase our horticultural prowess, especially this year as we compete to be the best Horticultural Achievement 8-12 of the best and hope to walk away with the Champion of Champions title. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our endlessly enthusiastic Bloom Environmental Responsibility 13-18 Committee who, along with our sponsors and partners, work hard throughout the year to make Shrewsbury a blooming great place to live, work and visit. Community Participation 19-24 With my creative background I think working towards Bloom is like putting Conclusion and Future Developments on a professional production in a theatre, many people are involved to ensure a quality presentation, it’s hard work but worth the time. We take Key Achievements in 2013/14 25 our reputation as a Town of Flowers seriously and it’s a mantle we strive to uphold 365-days a year. Mayor of Shrewsbury, Feedback and Actions 26 We are extremely lucky that our medieval county town is most definitely one Councillor Mrs Beverley Baker of those hidden gems in the English Crown, providing the most wonderful Key Aims and Objectives for 2014/15 27 stage upon which we are able to showcase our floral displays. Appendices 28-29 Jackie Brennand – Chairman, Shrewsbury in Bloom Cover image of the Dingle and photo on P24 by Lorraine Fletcher Lorraine Fletcher is an amateur photographer from Shrewsbury.
    [Show full text]
  • Charles Darwin – Report
    Science and Technology 13.3.2014. Presentation Charles Darwin – Report - Biography Charles Robert Darwin was an English naturalist and geologist, born on the 12 of February 1809 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, and was best known for his Theory of evolution. He worked on this theory for 20 years. He established that all species of life have descended over time from common ancestors, and that this branching pattern of evolution resulted from a process that he called natural selection. He was the grandson of the scientist Erasmus Darwin. His mother died when he was eight years old, and he was brought up by his sister. He was sent to Christ's College in Edinburgh to study medicine, which he hated, and a final attempt at educating him was made by sending him to Cambridge, to study theology (1827). During that period he loved to collect plants, insects, and geological specimens. John Stevens Henslow, his botany professor who encouraged him in his scientific research was the one who secured a place for Darwin as a naturalist on the surveying expedition of HMS Beagle to Patagonia (1831-1836). On December 27, 1831, the HMS Beagle launched its voyage around the world with Darwin. Throughout the trip, Darwin collected a variety of natural specimens, including birds, plants and fossils. Through hands-on research and experimentation, he had the unique opportunity to closely observe principles of botany, geology and zoology. The Pacific Islands and Galapagos Archipelago were of particular interest to Darwin, as was South America. On the voyage, Darwin read Lyell's 'Principles of Geology' which suggested that the fossils found in rocks were actually evidence of animals that had lived many thousands or millions of years ago.
    [Show full text]
  • Charles Darwin (1809-1882)
    Charles Darwin (1809-1882) Charles Robert Darwin (1809-1882) was born the fifth of six children into a wealthy Shropshire gentry family in the small market town of Shrewsbury. His father Robert Waring Darwin (1766-1848) was a successful physician and fincancier and son of the famous poet Erasmus Darwin. Charles Darwin's mother, Susannah Wedgwood (1765-1817), died when he was eight years old. Darwin, watched over by his elder sisters and maidservants, grew up amidst wealth, comfort and country sports. He attended the nearby Shrewsbury School as a boarder from 1818-1825. 1 In October 1825, Darwin went to Edinburgh University with his brother Erasmus to study medicine with a view to becoming a physician. While in Edinburgh, Darwin investigated marine invertebrates with the guidance of Robert Grant. Darwin did not like the study of medicine and could not bear the sight of blood or suffering, so his father proposed the church as a respectable alternative. On 15 October 1827, Charles Darwin was admitted a member of Christ's College, Cambridge. Darwin was never a model student, but he did become a passionate amateur naturalist. He became the devoted follower of Professor of botany John Stevens Henslow (1796-1861). Darwin passed his B.A. examination in January 1831. Henslow passed on to Darwin the offer of Commander Robert FitzRoy of travelling on a survey ship, HMS Beagle, as a "scientific person" or naturalist. The round- the-world journey lasted five years. Darwin spent most of these years investigating the geology and zoology of the lands he visited, especially South America, the Galapagos islands, and Pacific oceanic islands.
    [Show full text]
  • Shrewsbury V Wolves 26.01.2019
    Date: 26.01.2019 Ground: Revisit Match: 22 (2018/2019 season) Venue: Montgomery Waters Meadow Teams: Shrewsbury Town V Wolverhampton Wanderers Competition: FA Cup 4th Round Admission: £20 Final Score: 2-2 ( H/T 0-0 ) Referee: Roger East Attendance: 9503 Mileage to venue and return: 38.6 Programme: £3 Introduction The first game of football that I ever attended was on 18th April 1987, aged six years old. I to the The Gay Meadow that day, the former home of Shrewsbury Town and watched them beat Stoke City 4-1 in front of a crowd of 6,777. My Uncle (Tim Thomas) took to me the game, Tim has supported Shrewsbury Town for over a period of 65 years and is still keen as ever. This was my third visit to the Montgomery Waters Meadow, home of Shrewsbury Town Football Club. My first visit came on 5th April 2016 where I watched the Shropshire Senior Cup Final between Shrewsbury Town and AFC Telford United. The match finished 1-1 after 90 minutes with Shrewsbury winning the penalty shootout 3-2 to lift the trophy. My second visit came on 2nd May 2017 where I watched the Shropshire Premier Cup Final between Shawbury United and Market Drayton Town, the winners that day were Market Drayton by one goal to nil. My nephew Jimmy joined me for the game, this was his second taste of groundhopping within a month after he came with me to watch Carno 0-3 Caersws on 29th December 2018. I also attended the game with my father-in-law Dave and two brother-in-law’s Damian and Jamie, Damian’s son (my nephew) Billy also came to watch.
    [Show full text]
  • Charles Darwin
    The Exploration and Encounters of Charles Darwin Lewis Perkins Junior Division Individual Paper 1,929 Words !2 Charles Robert Darwin was a British naturalist who helped mankind with his discoveries. He explored the Galapagos Islands along with several other parts of the world (“Brainpop” 2012). In doing so, he encountered several species that were similar to other species he had seen. He explored the idea of evolution taking place through natural selection. He exchanged this idea with other scientists to learn exactly how natural selections would work. Charles Darwin shared his ideas on natural selection in the book The Origin of Species in 1858 (Cook and Konstantinov 2014). It is because of his work that we are able to understand the evolution of species and create other science advancements. Early Years Charles Robert Darwin was born on February 12, 1809 in Shrewsbury, United Kingdom. He was the fifth child of Robert and Susannah Darwin. Charles Darwin’s father and grandfather were both rich and well known men (Blackwell and Manar 2015). Charles Darwin’s mother passed away when was eight, so he was raised by his sisters. In the summer of 1821 when Charles Darwin was twelve years old and on break from school, his sister, Catherine Darwin, was supervising his studies. He wrote to his friend on January fourth of 1822 that one day after the Geography portion of his studies Catherine was asking him questions about his hygiene. He also wrote to his friend in that same letter that his sister asked him if he washed his feet every day and he replied saying, “why I only wash my feet once a month at school.” This statement disgusted his sister and showed that he did not care how clean he was.
    [Show full text]
  • Charles Darwin's the Life of Erasmus Darwin
    Cambridge University Press 0521815266 - The Life of Erasmus Darwin Charles Darwin Frontmatter More information charles darwin’s the life of erasmus darwin Charles Darwin’s book about his grandfather, The Life of Erasmus Darwin, is curiously fascinating. Before publication in 1879, his text was shortened by 16%, with several of the cuts directed at its most provocative parts. The cutter, with Charles’s permission, was his daughter Henrietta – an example of the strong hidden hand of meek-seeming Victorian women. This first unabridged edition, edited by Desmond King-Hele, includes all that Charles originally intended, the cuts being restored and printed in italics. Erasmus Darwin was one of the leading intellectuals of the eighteenth century. He was a respected physician, a well-known poet, a keen mechanical inventor, and a founding member of the influential Lunar Society. He also possessed an amazing insight into the many branches of physical and biological science. Most notably, he adopted what we now call biological evolution as his theory of life, 65 years prior to Charles Darwin’s Origin of Species. desmond king-hele is the leading authority on Erasmus Darwin. A Fellow of the Royal Society since 1966, he has written and edited numerous books, including the Letters of Erasmus Darwin. In 1999, he was awarded the Society of Authors’ Medical History Prize for his biography Erasmus Darwin: a Life of Unequalled Achievement. © Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org Cambridge University Press 0521815266 - The Life of Erasmus Darwin Charles Darwin Frontmatter More information Erasmus Darwin at the age of 38, painted by his friend and patient Joseph Wright of Derby in 1770.
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction Charles Darwin and the Origin of Species
    Copyrighted Material Introduction Charles Darwin and the Origin of Species Michael Ruse harles Robert Darwin was born on February 12, 1809, the same day as CAbraham Lincoln across the Atlantic. He died on April 19, 1882. Unlike the future president, there was no log-cabin birth for the man who is known as the “father of evolution.” The Darwins were an upper-middle-class family living in the town of Shrewsbury, in the British Midlands. Charles’s father Robert was a physician like his father, Erasmus. In those days, physicians were university-educated men with significant social status. Robert Darwin was also a very canny money man, acting as a link between aristocrats, with money needs and land to mortgage, and the new crop of businessmen be- ing produced by the industrial revolution, looking for safe places to park their cash. But the real source of Darwin’s wealth came from his mother’s family. Charles’s maternal grandfather Josiah Wedgwood was the founder of the pottery firm that bore his name, and had become one of the richest magnates of his day. Charles further secured his financial independence when, in 1839, he married his first cousin, Emma Wedgwood, the daughter of Josiah’s oldest son, also called Josiah Wedgwood. Early Years The background and the money tell us much about Charles Darwin and his place in British society. He was not an aristocrat, but he was a gentleman, with a very secure background and expectations. As a child and grandchild 3 Copyrighted Material 4 Introduction of the world of business and technology, he would be properly educated, starting with one of England’s leading private schools; he was going to be committed to a world of change but not revolution (manufacturers appreci- ated societal stability); he would be liberal in a nineteenth-century sense, which meant being strongly against slavery but prepared to let the working classes labor for minimal wages as the political economy of the day de- manded; and he probably would be religious but not obsessively so.
    [Show full text]
  • Charles Darwin
    Topic 3: We’re evolving 3.4 Charles Darwin Charles Robert Darwin (12 February 1809 – 19 April 1882) was an English scientist. He is famous for his work on the theory of evolution by natural selection. Darwin was born in Shrewsbury, Shropshire into a wealthy and well-connected family. Darwin originally planned to become a doctor but he was always more interested in nature. In 1831, he joined a five year scientific expedition on the survey ship HMS Beagle. The boat was to travel to South America, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Darwin’s job was to collect specimens of animals and plants and study them. The Galapagos Islands fascinated Darwin and he noticed that the islands had many different types of animals and plants, some that were not found anywhere else. Darwin noticed that each island supported its own form of finch which were closely related but differed in important ways. Darwin returned to England in 1836 and spent the next 20 years trying to explain how these finches could be related. He wanted to find out how new species could have evolved. He also carried out many experiments at his home, Down House in Kent. Darwin came up with his theory of “natural selection”. The animals (or plants) best suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on the characteristics which helped them survive to their offspring. Gradually, the species changes over time. Darwin used the term “survival of the fittest”. Darwin worked on his theory for 20 years. In 1859 Darwin published his ideas in a book called ‘On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection’.
    [Show full text]
  • Town Guide 2017
    SHREWSBURY TOWN GUIDE 2017 DISCOVER EAT DRINK STAY ENJOY EXPLORE www.originalshrewsbury.co.uk 2 Shrewsbury, the county town WELCOME of Shropshire, is not just a place full of flowers, medieval passages, quaint cafés and beautiful views. It has been voted both the healthiest high street and the second happiest place to live in the UK. The town retains a nostalgic feel with listed buildings and historic landmarks but also has a modern, vibrant quality with many high street names, national restaurants and international festivals. This guide will give you an insight to the town. For more details call the Visitor Information Centre on 01743 258888. YOU CAN’T COPY SHREWSBURY Arrive 5 Discover 7 Eat 11 48 Hours 14 Drink 17 Shop 20 Events 22 Explore 25 Do 28 Enjoy 30 Roam 35 View across the River Severn Stay 39 to Sabrina Boat, Victoria Quay Map 43 & the English Bridge Every effort is taken to ensure that the information Design & Production: in this publication is accurate at the time of going to Sarah Edwards, Associate Publisher print. All information contained in advertisements Rachel Duffy, Design Assistant is provided by the advertisers. Shrewsbury Tourism Blueprint Travel Media Limited. recommends that visitors check with individual Photography: Paul Elton Photography Ltd, establishments before bookings or visits are made. Richard Hammerton, Graham Williams/Morris Published by Blueprint Travel Media Ltd. on Leisure UK15, Alice Eleanor, Andy Hughes, Tony behalf of Shrewsbury Tourism with assistance Witts, National Trust, Sabrina Boat, Beth Heath from Shrewsbury Town Council and Shropshire Events, The Shrewsbury BID, Shropshire Hills Council.
    [Show full text]