Why was Charles Darwin invited to sail aboard 'The Beagle?'

Senior Moments

Cambridge did not yet offer a degree in the natural sciences, but, guided by his older cousin William Darwin Fox (an entomologist who inspired in him a lifelong passion for collecting beetles), Darwin met the circle of Cambridge scientists led by the cleric-botanist John Stevens Henslow. Soon a regular at Henslow's "open houses," Darwin accompanied him on daily walks and became known as "the man who walks with Henslow." Henslow encouraged Darwin's excitement about science and confidence in his own abilities. On leaving Cambridge in the spring of 1831 Darwin, in preparation for a scientific trip to the Canary Islands, read Alexander von Humboldt's Personal Narrative of Travels to the Equinoctial Regions of the New Continent, a scientific travelogue of a journey to Central and the northern parts of South America. At Henslow's recommendation he accompanied Adam Sedgwick, Woodwardian professor of geology at Cambridge, on a three-week tour of North Wales to learn geologic fieldwork. In August 1831, at Henslow's recommendation to the Admiralty, Darwin was invited to sail as the unpaid naturalist on HMS Beagle. http://www.crystalinks.com/darwin.html Nov 07 03, 6:08 AM

shady shaker

Very comprehensive answer SM. The reason as dscribed in a book I'm reading is a rather more personal one. Nov 07 03, 7:51 AM

Siskin

Darwin was asked on board to be the companion to Captain Fitzroy. He was not even the official naturalist on board - that was the ship's surgeon Robert McKormick. http://members.iinet.net.au/~sejones/histry2b.html Nov 07 03, 9:59 AM

shady shaker

"Companion", huh? Sounds a bit sus!! Even so, it's the answer I'm looking for. Well done Siskin, and YAY!! YAY!! YAY!! Nov 07 03, 11:52 AM

gmackematix

I thought Fitzroy didn't take to Charles Darwin at first because Charles had the wrong shape of nose. Cap'n Fitzroy was a believer in the "science" of telling someone's character from the shape of their face. I can't remember what that belief is called for the moment. Nov 08 03, 8:50 AM

Create a Free FunTrivia ID to add to, request more/new answers, or edit this entry

Was Charles Darwin an athiest? Why did Charles Darwin and the Beagle turn away from the eco-diversity of Tenerife and head for the Galapagos Islands instead? Did Charles Darwin have any nicknames? Which of the following people wanted to dedicate one of his works to Charles Darwin, but Darwin said "No": Bernard Shaw, Garibaldi, Karl Marx or Louis Pasteur?

1 Charles Darwin Charles Darwin, the great British scientist who changed the way we look at life, revolutionized the history of science forever. How well do you know his story? Darwin, Charles Tough 10 Q aearluin Mar 23 05 555 plays 2 Charles Robert Darwin Charles Darwin, despite initial controversy caused by the theory of evolution was widely respected by the time of his death. Take a trip though Darwin's life to see how he became perhaps the most important scientist ever. Ever ever. Darwin, Charles Tough 10 Q Pangea250 Jul 21 09 231 plays 3 Charles Darwin and the Theory of Evolution A biography and biology. If you are interested in the theory of evolution, play this quiz and learn about the man behind it all. Darwin, Charles Difficult 10 Q onlytrivial Feb 04 04 1047 plays