Charles Darwin changed our world. He was born 200 years ago this year, 2009. I’ve just read Origin of Species and Voyage of the Beagle. Took me all these years to get around to it. I’m sorry it took me so long.

Terry McElligott

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This is my favourite picture of him. It’s so unlike photographs of the era. Darwin lived in a time when having your picture taken meant sitting still while trying to look as uncomfortable as possible. And you had to look serious if not downright unpleasant at the same time.

This 1880 photo is none of those things. It’s casual. Here’s a man leaning against something. And is that a … twinkle in his eye? Maybe he’s saying “yes, yes .. I’m the man who said all these things. What do you make of it?”

Wikipedia is probably as good a place as any to start a search for him.

Reading “On the Origin of Species”

Reading “The Voyage of the Beagle”