Charles Darwin and The Origin of Species Recent Titles in Greenwood Guides to Historic Events, 1500–1900 The American Revolution Joseph C. Morton The French Revolution Linda S. Frey and Marsha L. Frey The French and Indian War Alfred A. Cave The Lewis and Clark Expedition Harry William Fritz The Second Great Awakening and the Transcendentalists Barry Hankins The Age of Napoleon Susan P. Conner The American Civil War Cole C. Kingseed The Scientific Revolution and the Foundations of Modern Science Wilbur Applebaum The Mexican War David S. Heidler and Jeanne T. Heidler The Abolitionist Movement Claudine L. Ferrell Maritime Exploration in the Age of Discovery, 1415–1800 Ronald S. Love The Trail of Tears and Indian Removal Amy H. Sturgis Charles Darwin and The Origin of Species KEITH A. FRANCIS Greenwood Guides to Historic Events, 1500–1900 Linda S. Frey and Marsha L. Frey, Series Editors GREENWOOD PRESS Westport, Connecticut London Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Francis, Keith A. Charles Darwin and The origin of species / Keith A. Francis. p. cm. — (Greenwood guides to historic events, 1500–1900, ISSN 1538-442X) Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 0-313-31748-8 (alk. paper) 1. Darwin, Charles, 1809–1882. On the origin of species. 2. Darwin, Charles, 1809–1882. 3. Evolution (Biology). I. Title. QH365.O8F73 2007 576.802092—dc22 2006029478 British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data is available. Copyright ' 2007 by Keith A. Francis All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, by any process or technique, without the express written consent of the publisher. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2006029478 ISBN-10: 0-313-31748-8 ISBN-13: 978-0-313-31748-4 ISSN: 1538-442X First published in 2007 Greenwood Press, 88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881 An imprint of Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc. www.greenwood.com Printed in the United States of America The paper used in this book complies with the Permanent Paper Standard issued by the National Information Standards Organization (Z39.48–1984). 10987654321 CONTENTS Series Foreword by Linda S. Frey and Marsha L. Frey vii Preface xi Chronology of the Life of Charles Darwin and Important Events in the Development of Ideas about Evolution xv Chapter 1 Overview: The Impact of Charles Darwin 1 Chapter 2 The Life of Charles Darwin 15 Chapter 3 The Origin of Species: The Book and Its Background 43 Chapter 4 The Reception of Darwin’s Theories, 1859–1920 61 Chapter 5 Darwin, Darwinism, and Evolution in the Twentieth Century 77 Chapter 6 Conclusion: Darwin, Darwinism, and Beyond 87 Biographies: Personalities Important to Darwin and Darwinism 95 People Mentioned in The Origin of Species 111 Primary Documents Relating to Darwin and Darwinism 121 Glossary of Selected Terms 159 Annotated Bibliography 167 Index 187 Photographs follow chapter 6. SERIES FOREWORD American statesman Adlai Stevenson stated, ‘‘We can chart our future clearly and wisely only when we know the path which has led to the present.’’ This series, Greenwood Guides to Historic Events, 1500– 1900, is designed to illuminate that path by focusing on events from 1500 to 1900 that have shaped the world. The years 1500 to 1900 include what historians call the early modern period (1500 to 1789, the onset of the French Revolution) and part of the modern period (1789 to 1900). In 1500, an acceleration of key trends marked the beginnings of an interdependent world and the posing of seminal questions that changed the nature and terms of intellectual debate. The series closes with 1900, the inauguration of the twentieth century. This period witnessed profound economic, social, political, cultural, reli- gious, and military changes. An industrial and technological revolu- tion transformed the modes of production, marked the transition from a rural to an urban economy, and ultimately raised the stan- dard of living. Social classes and distinctions shifted. The emergence of the territorial and later the national state altered man’s relations with and view of political authority. The shattering of the religious unity of the Roman Catholic world in Europe marked the rise of a new pluralism. Military revolutions changed the nature of warfare. The books in this series emphasize the complexity and diversity of the human tapestry and include political, economic, social, intellec- tual, military, and cultural topics. Some of the authors focus on events in U.S. history such as the Salem witchcraft trials, the American Revolution, the abolitionist movement, and the Civil War. Others analyze European topics, such as the Reformation and Counter-Reformation and the French Revolution. Still others bridge cultures and continents by examining the voyages of discovery, the Series Foreword viii Atlantic slave trade, and the Age of Imperialism. Some focus on in- tellectual questions that have shaped the modern world, such as Charles Darwin’s Origin of Species, or on turning points such as the Age of Romanticism. Others examine defining economic, religious, or legal events or issues such as the building of the railroads, the Second Great Awakening, and abolitionism. Heroes (e.g., Meriwether Lewis and William Clark), scientists (e.g., Darwin), military leaders (e.g., Napoleon Bonaparte), poets (e.g., Lord Byron) stride across the pages. Many of these events were seminal in that they marked profound changes or turning points. The Scientific Revolution, for example, changed the way individuals viewed themselves and their world. The authors, acknowledged experts in their fields, synthesize key events, set developments within the larger historical context, and, most important, present well-balanced, well-written accounts that integrate the most recent scholarship in the field. The topics were chosen by an advisory board composed of his- torians, high school history teachers, and school librarians to sup- port the curriculum and meet student research needs. The volumes are designed to serve as resources for student research and to pro- vide clearly written interpretations of topics central to the secondary school and lower-level undergraduate history curriculum. Each author outlines a basic chronology to guide the reader through often-confusing events and presents a historical overview to set those events within a narrative framework. Three to five topical chapters underscore critical aspects of the event. In the final chapter the author examines the impact and consequences of the event. Bio- graphical sketches furnish background on the lives and contributions of the players who strut across the stage. Ten to fifteen primary documents, ranging from letters to diary entries, song lyrics, procla- mations, and posters, cast light on the event, provide material for student essays, and stimulate critical engagement with the sources. Introductions identify the authors of the documents and the main issues. In some cases a glossary of selected terms is provided as a guide to the reader. Each work contains an annotated bibliography of recommended books, articles, CD-ROMs, Internet sites, videos, and films that set the materials within the historical debate. Reading these works can lead to a more sophisticated under- standing of the events and debates that have shaped the modern world and can stimulate a more active engagement with the issues that still affect us. It has been a particularly enriching experience to work closely with such dedicated professionals. We have come to Series Foreword ix know and value even more highly the authors in this series and our editors at Greenwood, particularly Kevin Ohe and Michael Hermann. In many cases they have become more than colleagues; they have become friends. To them and to future historians we dedicate this series. Linda S. Frey University of Montana Marsha L. Frey Kansas State University PREFACE In 1985, the Italian scientist Antonella La Vergata remarked that the ‘‘Darwin’s-place-in-history approach’’ dominated writing about Darwin and the development of the theory of evolution before 1960. Darwin was the colossus who stood above every other scientist in the nine- teenth century when it came to developing a theory about the origin of life. La Vergata’s argument was that historians and scientists who used this approach ignored the important contributions made by Dar- win’s contemporaries as well as other scientists who preceded and fol- lowed him. Even worse, this approach ignored the large number of people to whom Darwin wrote letters either to discuss the research he was doing or to obtain the answers to questions he had. Darwin should be viewed as part of a community even if he was the central figure in this community.1 While acknowledging La Vergata’s criticism, this book is a Darwin’s-place-in-history book. Darwin’s community of correspondents—which included scien- tists, cattle breeders, explorers, and government officials—was im- portant but, first and foremost, the story of The Origin of Species is the story of Charles Darwin’s research and writing. Darwin could not have written The Origin of Species without the help of many people— his friends Charles Lyell and Thomas Hooker, for example—but, ultimately, Darwin was the sole author. An introduction to The Origin of Species cannot ignore this fact. It is foolish to pay insufficient atten- tion to the community who helped Darwin and it is equally foolish to gloss over the singular genius of Darwin. Darwin covered a large number of subjects in The Origin of Spe- cies. He did not propose every aspect of the theory of evolution, but Darwin was able to develop his theory because he was proficient in several scientific disciplines. Without boasting, Darwin could claim to be an expert in zoology, botany, geology, and embryology. He read Preface xii widely and wrote prolifically. His scientific interests ranged from ani- mal psychology to plant tropism. Despite the genius of the man and book, it is possible to read The Origin of Species without having any prior knowledge of zoology or paleontology or the history of the biological sciences.