Erasmus Darwin (Cambridge Library Collection - Darwin, Evolution and Genetics) - Softcover

Darwin, Ernst

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1108006167 ISBN 13: 9781108006163

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2009

Synopsis

The author of this life of Erasmus Darwin, published in 1879, is given as Ernst Krause (1839–1903) a German biologist, but in fact more than half the book is a 'preliminary notice' by Charles Darwin, who explains in the preface that he has written it because of his access to family papers which add 'to the knowledge of Erasmus Darwin's character'. Krause wrote his original article in a German periodical because, in turn, he was intrigued by a reference made by Charles Darwin in the later editions of On the Origin of Species to his grandfather's anticipation in his Zoonomia (also reissued in this series) of Lamarckian theory: 'I thought immediately ... that this ancestor of his must certainly deserve considerable credit in connection with the history of the Darwinian theory.' The German text was translated by W. S. Dallas, who had previously collaborated with Darwin as both indexer and translator.

About this title

Book Description:

The author of this life of Erasmus Darwin (1731–1802), published in 1879, is given as Ernst Krause, a German biologist, but in fact more than half the book is a 'preliminary notice' by Erasmus's grandson Charles Darwin, who drew on family papers and reminiscences to illustrate his character.

About the Author:

Charles Darwin was an English naturalist and author best-known for his revolutionary theories on the origin of species, human evolution, and natural selection. A life-long interest in the natural world led Darwin to neglect his medical studies and instead embark on a five-year scientific voyage on the HMS Beagle, where he established his reputation as a geologist and gathered much of the evidence that fuelled his later theories.A prolific writer, Darwin s most famous published works include The Voyage of the Beagle, On the Origin of Species, The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex, and The Expression of Emotions in Man and Animals. Darwin died in 1882, and in recognition of his contributions to science, is buried in Westminster Abbey along with John Herschel and Isaac Newton.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1108006167
• ISBN 13: 9781108006163
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 228