2009 saw the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin, as well as the 150th anniversary of the publication of his book, On the Origin of Species. His theory of the evolution of life through natural selection provided a scientific foundation for understanding how life diversified on earth, and it is the theory that holds biology together. Darwin visited the Cape in 1836 on his journey around the world on the HMS Beagle. He corresponded with naturalists in the Cape, including previous staff of the South African Museum.
This exhibition provides an overview of Darwin’s life, his contribution to biology, and his relationship with the Cape.
