Charles Darwin
From The Arthur Conan Doyle Encyclopedia
Historical figure.
Charles Robert Darwin (12 february 1809 - 19 april 1882) was an English naturalist, geologist, and biologist, widely known for his contributions to evolutionary biology. His proposition that all species of life have descended from a common ancestor is now generally accepted and considered a fundamental scientific concept.
In the Sherlock Holmes stories
- Sherlock Holmes mentioned Darwin's theory about music, "that the power of producing and appreciating it existed among the human race long before the power of speech was arrived at" (STUD 853).
- After alluding airily to the Vehmgericht, aqua tofana, Carbonari, the Marchioness de Brinvilliers, the Darwinian theory, the principles of Malthus, and the Ratcliff Highway murders, the article of the Daily Telegraph concluded by admonishing the Government and advocating a closer watch over foreigners in England (STUD 1020).
