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Charles Darwin is the English naturalist whose work laid the foundation for evolutionary biology and theory. Darwin wrote his autobiography under the title Recollections of the Development of my Mind and Character in 1876. He wrote it for his family, but his son edited and published the autobiography five years after Darwin's death in 1882, removing some of the critical passages about God and Christianity.
Reading this feels a bit voyeuristic, in that it was intended as a family document rather than a public one. It's short and not a very good biography; it talks in little detail about Darwin's life or character, whilst rambling about the personalities of various other contemporary scientists, Darwin's religious views and his own books. It's nevertheless of some interest and so short as to hardly allow for getting bogged down. It's nowhere near as fun as The Voyage of the Beagle or as important as On the Origin of Species, however.
It is probably most useful for the section on how developing his theory of evolution eroded his faith in literal interpretation of the Bible and eventually in Christianity altogether. ( )
A bit dry, but I still found it interesting as it pertains to his thought processes and reasoning. As a bonus, his down-to-earth and unassuming demeanor was very endearing. ( )
A good quick read, though it focuses heavily on his works on only lightly on family and internal thoughts. If you wish to know more about Darwin the man then I'd suggest his letters and correspondence. Or The Voyage of the Beagle. ( )
A re-release of Darwin's autobiography 100 years after the release of his most famous book. This release restored a great deal that had been abridged from the original release of his autobiography at the request of his wife, Emma. Darwin's musings on religion are now returned to this work, written for his children. A fine work, elegantly written and easy to read. ( )
"If I lived twenty more years and was able to work, how I should have to modify the 'Origin,' and how much the views on all points will have to be modified! Well it is a beginning, and that is something..." Charles Darwin to J.D. Hooker, 1869
Dedication
First words
A German editor having written to me to ask for an account of the development of my mind and character with some sketch of my autobiography, I have thought that the attempt would amuse me, and might possibly interest my children or their children.
Quotations
What a good thing it would be if every scientific man was to die when sixty years old, as afterwards he would be sure to oppose all new doctrines.
Last words
Disambiguation notice
Publisher's editors
Blurbers
Original language
Information from the German Common Knowledge. Edit to localize it to your language.
Charles Darwin is the English naturalist whose work laid the foundation for evolutionary biology and theory. Darwin wrote his autobiography under the title Recollections of the Development of my Mind and Character in 1876. He wrote it for his family, but his son edited and published the autobiography five years after Darwin's death in 1882, removing some of the critical passages about God and Christianity.
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Wikipedia in English (3)
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It is probably most useful for the section on how developing his theory of evolution eroded his faith in literal interpretation of the Bible and eventually in Christianity altogether. (