Sunday, January 19, 2014

MY YEAR OF DARWIN

 Charles Darwin

19 Jan 2014: "Her Majesty's ship Beagle a ten-gun brig, under the command of Captain Fitz Roy, R.N., sailed from Devonport on the 27th of December, 1831" -Charles Darwin, Voyage of the Beagle 

Initially Darwin's father didn't want young Darwin to go on this trip but relented at the urging of Darwin's uncle, Josiah Wedgwood. A man he simply describes as being an intelligent and quiet man. Josiah Wedgwood industrialized pottery, became wealthy, and was an ardent abolitionists, which we see in Darwin. Wedgwood china is still popular to this day (it is very nice stuff). 

Darwin was fresh out of college with a degree in Divinity. Trained in geology, botany, natural history, and skilled at collecting. Bags are stowed, allowances from his father are expected at port. Off they sail... 

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