New book celebrates Charles Darwin’s other legacy
A new book which tells the largely un-told story of the pioneering naturalist and evolutionary scientist’s family will be launched next week alongside a lecture by a visiting world-renowned Charles Darwin specialist.
Hosted by Charles Darwin University’s Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, the lecture will be presented by Professor Emeritus of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology at Ohio State University Tim Berra.
“While much has been written about the life and works of Charles Darwin, the lives of his 10 children remain largely unexamined,” Professor Berra said.
“Most Darwin books consider his children as footnotes to the life of their famous father and close with the death of Charles Darwin. This is the only book that deals substantially with the lives of his children from their birth to their death, each in his or her own chapter. It also explores Darwin's marriage to his first cousin, Emma Wedgwood.”
Professor Berra will launch his new book “Darwin & His Children: His Other Legacy” on Wednesday, 26 February and deliver a lecture of stories and anecdotes that will include “20 things you didn’t know about Darwin and his children”.
“Many people may not know that immediately upon the birth of his first child, William Erasmus, Charles Darwin began gathering data on the natural history of babies (sneezing, hiccupping, yawning, stretching, suckling, screaming, and reaction to tickling),” Professor Berra said. “His observations were published in the journal Mind in 1877.”
Professor Berra is a University Professorial Fellow, Charles Darwin University, Research Associate at the NT Museum, and three-time winner of Fulbright Fellowships to Australia in 1969, 1979 and 2009. He is author of more than 75 scientific papers and seven books. He has studied the biology of the nurseryfish in the Adelaide River since 2001.
The lecture “Darwin & His Children: His Other Legacy” will be held on Wednesday, 26 February at 6pm in building Blue 1.1.01, Casuarina campus. To register visit W: https://register.eventarc.com/21512/darwin-and-his-children-his-other-legacy
Professor Berra also authored the book “Charles Darwin: The Concise Story of an Extraordinary Man”, which covers the life of Darwin, his family, friends, books, and significance to Western thought.
Both Charles Darwin books will be available for purchase and signing at the lecture. This is a free public event.