A sizeable group of members enjoyed a real treat in this lecture on the life of Charles Darwin by Professor Walter Blaney. Professor Blaney made clear in his quiet and modest way that he wished to be known as Walter, and continued his lecture in the same calm, but enthralling and highly informative style.

We heard of Darwin’s early life in Shrewsbury and his education at Shrewsbury and Cambridge. His lack of success at both of these places of learning is a lesson to the educationalists amongst us. However, his enthusiasm for nature led to a friendship with a botany lecturer at Cambridge, which was to result in later opportunities.  

Having studied Theology at Cambridge, and awaiting a parish placement, Darwin was recommended by the Cambridge lecturer to accompany an expedition to South America on the ‘Beagle’.

During a 5 year journey, he gradually came to his conclusions, as he later published in his book ‘The Origin of the Species’. His ideas were dismissed initially by the scientific establishment. Darwin’s claims that the remains of sea creatures found high on a mountain in South America  were evidence that the area was once under water, were dismissed as the ‘remains of a picnic’!

To arrive at his conclusions with little prior knowledge seems to be evidence of an astonishing intellect. However, despite showing us clear evidence for Darwin’s theory, Walter concluded by reminding us that there are still those who doubt its truth.

A remarkable and most enjoyable evening.

Caroline Cotterell