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Charles Darwin
BRLSI can claim a unique connection to Charles Darwin through the work of his life long friend and fellow naturalist Rev. Leonard Jenyns (1800-1893). The two met at Cambridge and, when Jenyns declined the offer of the place of naturalist on board the Beagle owing to his clerical duties, he proposed the young Darwin as the ideal substitute.
Jenyns later moved to Bath and the two continued to correspond throughout the rest of their lives, especially durring the period that Darwin was honing his ideas for Origin of Species when they exchanged ideas and views. Jenyns had a very close relationship with Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution and worked here on many aspects of Natural History and Meteorology. His many scientific papers and publications were left to the BRLSI along with his personal library of over 2000 books and his collected correspondence of more than 700 leters with eminent scientists of the day. Read more about Jenyns here.
In 2009 BRLSI will host a series of exhibitions, lectures and other events entitled Darwin and Beyond, find out more by clicking here.
From a correspondence to Jenyns in 1841: Dear Jenyns I have been scandalously indolent in not sooner answering your kind enquiries about me and mine. The country at first acted like magic on me, but the charm has latterly lost some of its virtue. I am, however, a good deal stronger than when in London, but I do not feel that I shall have any mental energy for a long time and the Doctors tell me, it will be some years, before my constitution will recover itself. You and I can tell people in health, they have little idea what an unspeakable advantage they possess over us poor weak wretches. I judge from your note that Hitcham acted on your health, somewhat like this place did on mine, that is as a temporary relief. I can only repeat, what I have said before to beg you not to give yourself any anxiety to hurry forward your part; let it come when it may. I feel sure it and all the other numbers (whatever you may say to the contrary) will be good dudrable work. I have lately had note from Bell, who has matter for Engravers ready, but also says nothing about M.S. for Printers. But I have made up my mind not to fret myself on that subject and just take things easy. I certainly hope your health may ikmprove as the summer passes and follow my an Bell's example and take your Fish Part easy. Believe me dear Jenyns June 24th |
One of Darwin's Letters to Jenyns |
Below is a section from this letter. |
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