Evolutionary

By PRSD, on Monday, July 21, 2008

The Humanists have got in touch to say:

As part of South Devon Humanists’ series of lectures, Keith Denby will be talking about Robert Fitzroy, Darwin’s captain, at Birdwood House, Totnes at 7.30pm on July 24.

“Everyone knows of Darwin’s voyage in the Beagle, which led to his publication of ‘The Origin of Species’, but far less people know the story of her captain, Robert Fitzroy,” said Keith.

Keith – Devon-based biochemist, wreck diver and webmaster – said: “Fitzroy’s story is not well known, yet he made enormous contributions to our modern world. He wanted a companion on board the survey ship, HMS Beagle, because the previous captain had killed himself out of loneliness. At first he was suspicious of Charles Darwin, a geology graduate from Cambridge, because of the shape of his nose.”

“Fitzroy sailed for South America to chart the region around Cape Horn and to bring civilising Christianity to the natives. However, Darwin’s work eventually opposed what was written in the book of Genesis, but without Fitzroy’s fundamentalist approach to creation, Darwin may never have developed and published his theory of evolution.”

Find out more about nose-fascist Fitzroy at Birdwood House, Totnes at 7.30pm.

For further information on Devon Humanists contact Hazel Fuller on 01803 864156 or visit the Devon Humanists website.