People’s Republic of South Devon

Darwin 200 in Devon: articles wanted to celebrate Darwin’s life

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feedand sign up to the PRSD newsletter.. Thanks for visiting!

The Devon’s Humanists got in touch with news of their new website to celebrate Darwin 200 – called Darwin 200 in Devon, surprisingly enough, and they are looking for articles relating to Charles Darwin’s discoveries and his impact on the world.

This year, they say (and as we all know, of course), “sees two major anniversaries relating to Darwin, one of the greatest scientists that ever lived. His 200th birthday falls on February 12, and on November 24 it will be 150 years since the publication of his greatest work. February 12 is celebrated throughout the world as Darwin Day.

“Darwin’s ideas – stimulated by his participation in the influential voyage of HMS Beagle which sailed from Plymouth in 1831 – were finally published in 1859 as On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.

“Darwin showed that evolution – the idea that living organisms change form over time that the process could be controlled by natural selection – explains the origin of the varied species of animals and plants that inhabit the Earth. The implication that humans are related to the rest of the animal kingdom transformed the way we see ourselves, and his theories had great implications for the fields of theology, history, literature, environmental science, archaeology and the visual arts.

“In 1861, Darwin stayed in Torquay at Meadfoot House for six weeks. In addition, evidence about the antiquity of humanity – which challenged Biblical ideas of the age of the earth – was found in Torquay’s Kents Cavern.

“Devon Humanists encourage you to join us in celebrating Darwin’s life and work, and are inviting contributions of up to 1,500 words on Darwin-related themes to include on our website.”

To submit an article for the site, email it to: submissions@darwin200devon.org.uk