Evolution's Captain: The Tragic Fate of Robert Fitzroy, the man who sailed Charles Darwin around the world - Softcover

Nichols, Peter

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1861974566 ISBN 13: 9781861974563

Publisher: Profile Books, 2004

Synopsis

The early nineteenth century was a heroic age for British maritime exploits. Small naval vessels were sent around the world to make charts, plot the oceans and ease the way for empire. One such vessel was the Beagle. The Admiralty despatched it to Tierra del Fuego - some of the wildest and most dangerous seas in the world - to chart the waters. The first captain, Stokes, committed suicide, dying slowly and painfully from his gunshot wounds. The second, Robert FitzRoy was little happier. He was a sailor in the heroic mould, but his plan to take four 'savages' hostage when one of the Beagle's dinghies was stolen went drastically wrong. York Minster, Jemmy Button, and two others were taken to Britain to be educated as Christian gentlefolk. And then to be returned to their native lands on the next expedition - the one made famous by the presence on the boat of Charles Darwin. Like all the best made plans, it did not work out like that. This true story is intriguing history, reveals great science in the making and reads like the best historical fiction. A quite exceptional story.

About this title

Review:

This fine nautical romp deftly marries historical fact to a gripping narrative. -- Daily Telegraph, June 5, 2004

From the Publisher:

This true story - biography, sea drama, and a subtle study of one of the defining moments in the history of science - reads like the finest historical fiction.

About this edition

• Publisher: Profile Books
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 1861974566
• ISBN 13: 9781861974563
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 352