Heroes and Cultural Identity Project

SCE Heroes - Charles Darwin

The work of Darwin is being studied by William Robertson,
a Biology Student at Stevenson College Edinburgh (January 2007):

Charles Darwin (1809 -1882)

A great and heroic biologist

Darwin is arguably the most famous biologist of all time. Born in 1809 he was educated at Edinburgh and Cambridge universities. His book titled Origin of the Species (1865) put forward evidence that all races of man had common ancestry and were descended from the apes. At the time, this was a very controversial text which challenged the orthodox views of fellow scientists and the religious teachings of the church. He was challenging the writings of the old testament of the bible!!!

Charles was the subject of much condemnation and criticism from scientists, church leaders and the public. Tremendous pressure was put on him to change his revolutionary views but he refused to deny the findings of his scientific research.

Darwin was disowned by many of his friends and colleagues and his scientific career was almost ruined. However, he knew that his findings were based on sound scientific research and he challenged his critics to prove him wrong.

It would have been easier for Darwin to give in to his critics but he refused and spent many years as a scientific and social outcast.

Eventually the reality and enormous significance of his findings were accepted by the establishment and when he died in 1882 he was honoured by being buried inside Westminster Abbey in London, the resting place of many other national heroes.

Charles Darwin was a truly great and Heroic Biologist.