Charles.
Darwin. A name so familiar in modern world, yet so little had we known about
the person. I have read his magnum opus last year: On the Origin of Species, yet then I have only focused on
his views on evolution and struggle for existence theory. I have never
imagined, for example, that Darwin had made that famous voyage on board The
Beagle in a so young of age of 22—in fact it was even his first voyage ever!
Or, that he was NOT a Naturalist before the voyage; but was originally intended
to pursue medical career—following the lead of his father and grandfather. He
had failed; and finally made up his mind to take theological study at Christ
College to become a curate, which was approved and encouraged by Robert Darwin,
his father. Then, when Charles Darwin has finally settled his future career,
came a letter from the Naval Office, inviting him to join HMS Beagle as its
Naturalist—something beyond even Darwin's wildest dream.
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| Charles Darwin - by G. Richmond |
While studying at Christ College, Darwin often accompanied
Professors John Henslow and Adam Sedgwick, from whom he learned much about
botany and geology. That, and his passion on nature (he liked to catch
butterflies and even toads), that made him eligible to join the survey
expedition conducted by Royal Navy. The appointment itself was almost like an
act of Providence. Darwin was the third person picked, after two others (more
prominent Naturalists) rejected for some reasons. His father didn't approved Darwin
going for two year voyage, while he was supposed to start looking for a parish
to settle in. Only after Darwin's uncle intervene, that his father softened,
and finally gave Darwin his blessing—without which Darwin would have given up
the voyage altogether, since he respected his father's decision very much. This
was an aspect that I loved from the Darwins: love and respect from father and
son. Later on after Darwin returned from the voyage, and was happy in doing
researches and writing his books, his father totally accepted and never blamed
Darwin for ever giving up his religious career. Darwin was also blessed with an
amiable wife and supports from his friends, which later proved to be valuable
to Darwin's career as Naturalist. Maybe it's because Darwin was himself an
amiable person: humble, docile, and peaceful.
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| HMS Beagle - by Conrad Martens |
Darwin was neither a healthy nor strong young man when taking
the five years voyage, and after settling with his large family while writing
his numerous books, he was often tortured by his illness. But I think it was
caused mostly by his moral conflict. Remember what happened to Galileo after
publishing his heliocentric theory? He was accused of committing heresy. Now,
Darwin always hated controversy. He would have stayed home and become priest,
had his father rejected his voyage. He was perfectly aware that his theory of
evolution would be strongly opposed by the Church and by the society. In 19th
century the Church doctrine was that every creature was created as it was by
God; and that they were all good. Darwin found out from studying tons of
specimens he had collected during the voyage, that these creatures, which God
has first created, has been evolving through years of struggle of existence,
then formed various new sub-species. That would shock the world, and especially
his wife Emma, whom Darwin loved and adored, and who happened to be a very
religious person. These thoughts tortured Darwin so much in the form of many
curious uncured physical symptoms. But—and this is what I most adored from him—Charles
Darwin never flinched from his belief; and though he has promised Emma to never
pursue the theory, he never stopped developing it in his mind, and secretly
writing it. Darwin, who was a docile and peaceful person, dared to do it
against all odds, because his conscience told him to speak the truth!
As all other new ideas, On
the Origin of the Species did cause huge turbulence on scientific and
Church history when published. These were the most insufferable time for
Darwin, yet he never stopped researching and writing a lot of books, each of
which opened fresh debates among scientists, as well as public readers.
However, after the first blow from On the
Origin, people began to accept his theory, and Charles Darwin became one of
the most prominent scientists in the world.
Thanks to Irving Stone, the life, works, and the scientific
world around Charles Darwin was finally revealed to us. Like Darwin, Stone have
done meticulous researches around his subject. The project took him five years
to finish; the same time for Darwin to collect his specimens and notes aboard
The Beagle. The book caught perfectly and beautifully the emotional struggle of
Darwin and his peers during the rising period of science. The Origin is a monumental work. I was so grateful to have read it.
Not only to know more of the Naturalist, but also to understand more of his
works, especially On the Origin of
Species. What a read!
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