Trivia

Born on the same day as Abraham Lincoln.

Was a staunch and outspoken opponent of the slave trade.

First conceived of genetic evolution from observing species on the Galapagos Islands while on a voyage on the H.M.S. Beagle.

Was not an especially good student in school and was known to be quite lazy, having more interest in fox hunting than studying. This led to him flunking medical school.

His other book ''The Formation of Vegetable Mould through the Action of Worms'' sold more copies than ''On the Origin of Species'' when first released.

Although he spent much of his later life being attacked by religious figures, he originally trained to be a clergyman.

Had a fear of blood, which was one of his reasons for failing medical school.

The father of William Erasmus Darwin (27 December 1839 - 8 September 1914), Anne Elizabeth Darwin (2 March 1841 - 23 April 1851), Mary Eleanor Darwin (23 September 1842 - 16 October 1842), Henrietta Emma "Etty" Darwin (25 September 1843 - 17 December 1927), George Howard Darwin (9 July 1845 - 7 December 1912), Elizabeth "Bessy" Darwin (8 July 1847 - 8 June 1926), Francis Darwin (16 August 1848 - 19 September 1925), Leonard Darwin (15 January 1850 - 26 March 1943), Horace Darwin (13 May 1851 - 29 September 1928), & Charles Waring Darwin (6 December 1856 - 28 June 1858).

His father didn't approve of his interest in biology at all and tried to talk him out of joining the H.M.S. Beagle voyage, and told him outright that he was a disappointment when he was an adolescent, although he later changed his mind and financially supported Charles so that he could work as an independent gentleman-scientist.

His interest in biology was sparked by his mentor, John S. Henlow.

His grandfather was Dr. Erasmus Darwin, Britain's most renowned physician of the 18th century, and a brilliant scientist and poet in his own right, and a member of the Lunar Society, which met on the nights of the full moon so that its members could travel to the meetings in relative safety, which boasted such luminaries as James Watt, developer of Steam Engines and the reason why the unit of electricity is called a watt, and Joseph Priestley, generally credited with the discovery of oxygen.

His wife was his first cousin. Her paternal grandfather was the founder of the Josiah Wedgwood and Sons pottery firm.

He is considered one of the most influential figures in human history.

His grave in Westminster Abbey is located near to Sir Isaac Newton and Dr Stephen Hawking.

Great-great-grandfather of Emma Darwin.

In his later years at Down House, he installed a mirror in his garden so that he could see when people were coming up the road and retire unnoticed.