Charles Darwin in Australia
Charles Darwin in Australia
Out of Print
Early in 1836 Charles Darwin spent two months in Australia as part of his round-the-world voyage on the Beagle. During this time, he visited Sydney, travelled on horseback to Bathurst, visited Hobart and called into King George Sound. In addition to making extensive notes on the geology of the country, and recording some observations on natural history, Darwin interacted with several of the colonies' leading citizens, including Kings and Macarthurs in Sydney, and Alfred Stephen and George Frankland in Hobart. This book provides the definitive account of this part of the Beagle's voyage. It is based on specific transcriptions of the entire Australian section of Darwin's diary, supplemented by extracts from field notes, letters and published material. The lavish illustrations include contemporary works by two of Australia's most famous early artists (Augustus Earle and Conrad Martens), both of whom had been Darwin's Beagle shipmates earlier in the voyage.
- Definitive account of Darwin's visit to Australia, including all published illustrations of animal specimens collected by Darwin in Australia
- Based on the complete text of Darwin's Australian diary, supplemented with field notes, letters and published material
- Illustrated with beautiful contemporary sketches and paintings by two of Australia's most famous early artists (Augustus Earle and Conrad Martens), both of whom had been Darwin's Beagle shipmates earlier in the voyage
Reviews & endorsements
'… fascinating and extremely readable narrative … This is an elegant, informative and well-produced book … it is a credit to the authors and the publishers. I unreservedly commend it to anyone with an interest in the formative years of either Australia or Darwin.' D. M. Moore, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society
'Charles Darwin in Australia manages to be both an invaluable reference work and a good read, and you can't do much better than that.' Gavin Gatenby, Australian Natural History
'The Nicholas's have produced a delectable volume on this period … It is a necessary purchase for all Australians and all Darwin-freaks, but well worth some of the rest of us having on our shelves.' R. J. Berry, The Biologist
'… this book will also satisfy the exacting Darwin scholar. High standards of historical scholarship are sustained … I am much impressed by what they have achieved in their contribution to Darwin scholarship and to the study of Australian history.' David Oldroyd, Editions
'A complete and scholarly account of Darwin's time in Australia … Despite the fact that it concentrates on one brief period in Darwin's life, this book succeeds in illuminating the whole of his career and scientific thought.' Des Cooper, Journal of Heredity
'The Nicholases have elegantly interwoven the transcriptions of Darwin's original notebooks, his formally written-up diaries in their various recensions, and his letters and those of his shipmates to reconstruct in detail the days of his visit. … a rich re-creation of Darwin's Australian experience.' Sybil Jack, Australian Book Review
Product details
February 2009Hardback
9780521728676
280 pages
257 × 200 × 25 mm
1.11kg
Unavailable - out of print
Table of Contents
- Foreword James Moore
- List of illustrations
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- A note on the transcriptions
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Arrival in Sydney and a trip across the Blue Mountains
- 3. Return from Bathurst and impressions of Sydney
- 4. Hobart and environs
- 5. King George Sound and farewell to Australia
- 6. Postscript
- Appendix: summary of documents relating to Darwin's visit to Australia
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Index.
