Darwin 200 Darwin 200 Happy birthday Charles! Happy birthday Charles! Today is Darwin Day, the celebration of the anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin and if current trends continue, soon to be a national holiday too! What is Darwin Day? Darwin Day is the celebration of the anniversary of the birth of noted naturalist Charles Darwin who was born on 12 February 1809. Why is this year so important? This year is Darwin 200, celebrating 200 years since Charles Darwin was born and 150 years since the first publication of his famous book Origin of Species. Who was Charles Darwin? Charles Darwin was a British naturalist and scientist. He was born in 1809 and died 1882 leaving a lasting legacy in the scientific community forming the basis of modern evolutionary theory. His major work was in geology and included a five year voyage on the H.M.S. Beagle in which he sailed round the coast of South America studying the wildlife that he found and writing up his investigations which when published back in England made him a popular author. As his observations continued he began to reach some interesting conclusions and in 1859 he published the book On the Origin of the Species which established evolution be common descent as the dominant scientific explanation for the diversity in nature. Darwin began life (and indeed never officially renounced his faith) as a Christian studying medicine at Edinburgh University and later theology at Cambridge. It is thought that Darwin to an extent was always able to square his work with his faith – while his work led him to loose a certain amout of faith in his religion he on the whole believed that his theory could be reconciled with his Christianity. Who do we celebrate Darwin Day? Charles Darwin represents the idea of free thought – though a devout Christian he looked objectively at the evidence without prejustice even when it contradicted his core beliefs. For this reason he represents the ideas of the scientific method. Who are LUU Atheist Society? We’re a society for atheists, Humanists, secularists and beyond – everyone is welcome. Today is Darwin Day, the celebration of the anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin and if current trends continue, soon to be a national holiday too! What is Darwin Day? Darwin Day is the celebration of the anniversary of the birth of noted naturalist Charles Darwin who was born on 12 February 1809. Why is this year so important? This year is Darwin 200, celebrating 200 years since Charles Darwin was born and 150 years since the first publication of his famous book Origin of Species. Who was Charles Darwin? Charles Darwin was a British naturalist and scientist. He was born in 1809 and died 1882 leaving a lasting legacy in the scientific community forming the basis of modern evolutionary theory. His major work was in geology and included a five year voyage on the H.M.S. Beagle in which he sailed round the coast of South America studying the wildlife that he found and writing up his investigations which when published back in England made him a popular author. As his observations continued he began to reach some interesting conclusions and in 1859 he published the book On the Origin of the Species which established evolution be common descent as the dominant scientific explanation for the diversity in nature. Darwin began life (and indeed never officially renounced his faith) as a Christian studying medicine at Edinburgh University and later theology at Cambridge. It is thought that Darwin to an extent was always able to square his work with his faith – while his work led him to loose a certain amout of faith in his religion he on the whole believed that his theory could be reconciled with his Christianity. Who do we celebrate Darwin Day? Charles Darwin represents the idea of free thought – though a devout Christian he looked objectively at the evidence without prejustice even when it contradicted his core beliefs. For this reason he represents the ideas of the scientific method. Who are LUU Atheist Society? We’re a society for atheists, Humanists, secularists and beyond – everyone is welcome. LUU Atheist Society – http://leeds.atheistsoc.org/ LUU Atheist Society – http://leeds.atheistsoc.org/