<<I was wondering why very little is ever said about Charles Darwin being
a graduate of Christ College, Oxford, I believe it was. And, on his
telling his professor botanist friend before the voyage that he did not
feel qualified to be the naturalist upon the Beagle. Are not these two
important points of interest when trying to interpret a man's ideas
nearly 150 years ago?
Any thoughts on this?>>
A few. I did extensive research on Darwin for my novel, "The Darwin
Conspiracy" (I think Chuck Heston would make a good Darwin...later years, of
course).
Anyway, Darwin's years at Christ's College CAMBRIDGE were marked by three
influences: Paley, Lyell and the naturalist Alexander von Humboldt. Paley
appears to have had the most effect at the time, but that would change later.
It was Humboldt, however, who excited in him the desire to contribute to
natural science.
Darwin got the post on the Beagle only after several others turned it down,
and because Capt. FitzRoy didn't like the guy he was left with. And yes,
Darwin did suffer a bit of a case of nerves before the voyage.
But none of this can take away from his accomplishments. They were, for their
time, brilliant.
Jim