Evolution of Evolution, The: Darwin, Enlightenment and Scotland

Details

The Evolution of Evolution takes a multi-layered approach to history, moving from discussing an important predecessor to Darwin's Origin of Species, The Vestiges of Creation by the Scot Robert Chambers, to analysing episodes from Darwin's life and questioning his motives. Stephen also discusses the contribution other people made to Darwin's theories, both in person and through their own works, finishing by discussing interpretations and developments of Darwin's ideas after his death. By discussing social factors as well as academic or scientific influences, Stephen combines biography with scientific development and shows that understanding the man and the culture in which he lived is vitally important to understanding Darwin's theory. Stephen also highlights the many Scottish scientists and their ideas which have been overlooked by previous commentators, but who were an essential influence on Darwin.

Additional Information

Title	Evolution of Evolution, The: Darwin, Enlightenment and Scotland
Author	Walter Stephen
Binding	Paperback
ISBN-13	9781906817237
No. of Pages	128
Series	N/A
Edition	N/A
Author Bio	As Chairman of the Patrick Geddes Memorial Trust Walter Stephen was responsible for the books Think Global, Act Local and A Vigorous Institution. He has also written a biography on Willie Park Junior and has degrees in Geography, Economic History and Education. One of his achievements was the establishment and operation for twenty years of Castlehill Urban Studies Centre, the first successful Urban Studies Centre in Britain. He currently lives in Edinburgh.
Back Cover Copy	What led Darwin to form his theory of evolution? To what extent did the Enlightenment influence Darwin's work? How did Scots help Darwin publish the most successful and controversial book of his time? In 1825, at the age of 16, Darwin began to study medicine at the University of Edinburgh, the seat of the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment had created a thirst for science, and in his two years at Edinburgh, Darwin became involved with the people and ideas that were to shape the world's understanding of the natural sciences. These people and theories had immense importance on the evolution of Darwin's concept of natural selection. An earlier book on the Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation by Scotsman Robert Chambers, led the way for On the Origin of Species, and influenced Darwin's writing and studies. Fellow Scot James Hutton, the founder of modern geology, established that the earth was far older than the previously estimated 6,000 years and Charles Lyell, born in Scotland, developed this theory into a book that Darwin took with him on the Beagle, and to which he owed many of his later discoveries. Walter Stephen considers the impact these men, and many others had on Darwin's work, his writings, and his life. He looks at the changing views of Darwin in his own lifetime, and at the legacy he left to science, and to the world.
Reviews	N/A
Table of Contents	N/A
BISAC Subject	BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Science & Technology
BIC Subject	Biography: science, technology & engineering

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