Sciencentre
Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin's book On the Origin of the Species changed our view of the world forever. The words he jotted in his notebooks formed ideas that even today are still widely debated.
This display shares the story of Charles Darwin's life and his historic journey from young naturalist to published scientist, giving us an insight into the struggle that made him reluctant to finish his famous book.
Read about:
Darwin's family
'You care for nothing but shooting, dogs and rat-catching, and you will be a disgrace to yourself and all your family'
Robert Darwin, on his son Charles
Charles Robert Darwin was born in England on 12 February 1809. He was one of six children born to physician Robert Darwin and Susanna Wedgewood of the famous pottery family.
His grandfather Erasmus Darwin had already brought fame and social standing to the family through his books, but nobody could have anticipated that young Charles would in time eclipse both his father and grandfather.
Charles was drawn to natural science, but his achievements at school, as he himself admitted, were unimpressive. His family expected that he and his older brother should pursue careers in medicine.
When you visit the display:
- Read about Charles Darwin's family, including his grandfather Dr Erasmus Darwin who also had an interest in evolution.
- Consider the pressure Charles Darwin was under from his family to achieve success.
- Collecting was one of Charles Darwin's favourite occupations from when he was a young boy. Do you like to collect things that are special to you? What do you do with them?
- More things to do when you visit the display…
Darwin's adventure on the Beagle
'The voyage of the Beagle has been by far the most important event in my life, and has determined my whole career… I have always felt that I owe to the voyage the first real training of my mind'
Charles Darwin (Autobiographical Sketch)
Charles Darwin was encouraged by his professors at Cambridge to join the second expedition of the HMS Beagle.
The Captain of the Beagle, Robert Fitzroy, helped Darwin learn the importance of a daily routine and keeping detailed records. The voyage took them around the world, setting off from England and visiting the Cape Verde Islands, South America (Argentina, Chile and Galapagos Islands), Tahiti, New Zealand, Australia, Mauritius, South Africa, St Helena, South America (return), Azores and back to England.
Darwin experienced first hand: coral reefs, earthquakes, volcanoes, oceanic currents, rainforests, deserts and islands. Along the way he observed and collected specimens at every opportunity (even at sea) including plant, animal, mineral and fossil specimens.
Such a thorough education was given to few naturalists - the voyage had provided him with a vast knowledge of the world and the data needed to substantiate his theories and write his books.
Darwin visited Sydney Cove during the Beagle's brief visit to Australia in 1936.
When you visit the display:
- Follow the journey of Darwin's expedition between 1831 - 1836 when he was a naturalist on board the Beagle.
- Examine some specimens and artefacts from the Queensland Museum collection that are similar to those Darwin worked with, such as a Galapagos tortoise, various microscopes and other scientific instruments.
- Imagine setting out on a sea voyage at a young age and trying to work hard even though you suffered from bad bouts of seasickness like Darwin did.
- More things to do when you visit the display…
Darwin's writing
'Darwin wrote for a generation which had not accepted evolution, and which poured contempt on those who upheld the derivation of species from species by any natural law of descent'
Alfred Russel Wallace
From his book Darwinism (1889) (MacMillan, London)
QM Rare Book Collection.
After writing the Zoology of the Voyage of the Beagle Charles Darwin's volumes on living and fossil barnacles gave him the scientific credentials to comment on evolution and speciation.
The publication of On The Origin of Species on 24 November 1859 was a culmination of over two decades of observations, reading, writing and re-writing.
Darwin's final years, despite poor health, were filled with family life, writing and constant experimentation. He wrote about human origins, behavioural observations, insectivorous plants, climbing plants, flowers, orchids, and earthworms.
When you visit the display:
- View volumes of Darwin's work from the Queensland Museum Rare Book Collection.
- Read about Darwin's colleagues who both supported and criticised his theories.
- Find out about author Alfred Wallace who was co-credited with Darwin for the discovery of Natural Selection.
- More things to do when you visit the display…
Discover more about Darwin
- National Museum of Australia - Darwin exhibition*
Information about Charles Darwin and his visit to Australia, as well as the Darwin exhibition that ran until 29 March 2009. - Darwin Online*
Darwin's complete publications, private papers, bibliography, manuscript catalogue and supplementary works. - Darwin Correspondence Project*
An extensive computerised archive containing a collection of Darwin's correspondence. - Evolution - The Festival*
Celebrate the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth and the 150th anniversary of publication of The Origin of Species with events across Australia in 2009.
* The content found by using these links is not created, controlled or approved by the Queensland Museum. No responsibility is taken for the consequences of viewing content on these sites. These links will load into a new window.
