9 Sep (Wed): Talk on "Darwin's Secret: Was the theory of evolution really held back for 20 years?"

Charles Darwin first conceived of his theory of evolution by natural selection between 1837 to 1839. He published it in 1858/9. Why?

For decades historians have believed that Darwin was afraid to publish and kept his belief in evolution a secret for 20 years - either because he did not want to offend his religious wife, was afraid of what his colleagues or the church would say or feared for his reputation.

This talk aims to completely overturn the view of the frightened Darwin by a reassessment of the primary evidence. The true story may not be as dramatic, but it makes sense of all the surviving evidence.

The paper also serves to show how unquestioned assumptions can linger far too long amongst historians.
Speaker: John van Wyhe, Director, the Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online, University of Cambridge, London

Hosted by Associate Professor Greg Clancey

Thanks to alert on the eco-tax mailing list.

Time: 3pm
Venue: Block AS1 #04-01, Arts Faculty, the National University of Singapore