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Darwin and Henslow: The Growth of an Idea; Letters, 1831-1860

Darwin and Henslow: The Growth of an Idea; Letters, 1831-1860 is a compilation of correspondence between Charles Darwin and John Stevens Henslow, highlighting the evolution of Darwin's scientific theories and personal thoughts over three decades. The letters provide a unique perspective on the intellectual and emotional journey of one of history's most influential scientists. more

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Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin

Charles Darwin, a British naturalist, is renowned as the founder of evolutionary biology. Born on February 12, 1809, in England, he passed away on April 19, 1882. Darwin is best known for his research on the theory of evolution, which proposed that species evolve through natural selection and survival of the fittest. more

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“The poetic beauty of Davy's mind never seems to have left him. To that circumstance I would ascribe the distinguishing feature in his character, and in his discoveries,-a vivid imagination sketching out new tracts in regions unexplored, for the judgement to select those leading to the recesses of abstract truth.”

“The voyage of the Beagle has been by far the most important event in my life and has determined my whole career; yet it depended on so small a circumstance as my uncle offering to drive me 30 miles to Shrewsbury, which few uncles would have done, and on such a trifle as the shape of my nose.”

“We must raise the salaries of our operators or they will all be taken from us, that is, all that are good for anything. You will recollect that, at the first meeting of the Board of Directors, I took the ground that 'it was our policy to make the office of operator desirable, to pay operators well and make their situation so agreeable that intelligent men and men of character will seek the place and dread to lose it.' I still think so, and, depend upon it, it is the soundest economy to act on this principle.”

“With a thousand joys I would accept a nonacademic job for which industriousness, accuracy, loyalty, and such are sufficient without specialized knowledge, and which would give a comfortable living and sufficient leisure, in order to sacrifice to my gods [mathematical research]. For example, I hope to get the editting of the census, the birth and death lists in local districts, not as a job, but for my pleasure and satisfaction.”