The Darwins of Shrewsbury

by Pattison, Andrew

• ISBN13: 9780752448671
• ISBN10: 0752448676
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-01-01
• Publisher: The History Press

Summary

Many people have written biographies of Charles Darwin, but the story of his family and roots in Shrewsbury is little known. This book, containing original research, fills that gap. The key player is Charles' father, Dr. Robert Darwin, a larger-than-life character whose financial acumen enabled Charles to spend his whole life on research unencumbered by money worries. Through Susannah, Charles' mother, we are introduced to the Wedgwood family, whose history was so closely interwoven with the Darwins. The stories of Charles' five siblings are detailed, and there is a wealth of local material, such as information on Shrewsbury School and its illustrious headmaster, Samuel Butler.

Author Biography

Andrew Pattison has lived in Shrewsbury for over thirty years, working most of the time as a general practitioner. He is also a leader in a local church, and has recently developed an interest in local history. His combination of medical training, theological interest and local history experience has given him a unique understanding of the Darwin story.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. 6
Prologue	p. 10
The Young Doctor	p. 13
Money and Matrimony	p. 21
A Person of Eminence	p. 29
The New Family	p. 37
'Simply a Blank'	p. 45
'The Largest Man Whom I Ever Saw'	p. 53
'Known to Every Man, Woman and Child ...'	p. 57
'A Remarkable Man'	p. 64
The 'Midas Touch'	p. 71
A Time of Change	p. 77
A Momentous Decade	p. 83
The Sun Goes Down	p. 93
The End Of An Era	p. 99
Epilogue	p. 107
Timeline of Major Events in the Lives of the Darwins of Shrewsbury	p. 112
References and Endnotes	p. 114
Index	p. 126
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