Much wiser people than I can wax lyrical about the significance and legacy of Darwin, so I’ll content myself with rounding up the main events and exhibitions taking place across London to celebrate today’s bicentenary.
Exhibitions
Darwin: Big Idea. The flagship exhibition at the Natural History Museum is a solid, slow-burning sojourn through the life of Darwin, from his circumnavigation aboard the Beagle to his pigeon shed at Down House. Read my review here. Runs till 19 April, £8.80 adults, £4.40 children.
In Darwin’s Footsteps. The British Library have a much smaller exhibition in their foyer. It covers similar themes to the above in more cursory fashion, with an emphasis on the people and books that influenced his thinking. Read my review here. Runs until 22 March. Entry is free.
Charles Darwin of Gower Street. Darwin once lived in a house on what is now the Gower Street frontage of UCL. To celebrate their famous denizen, the University’s library has a small collection of Darwinalia on display. Open till 19 April (extended from original closing date of 30 Jan). Entry is free.
Darwin at Down. A new photographic exhibition at the Horniman Museum shows images of the Darwin family in their Kent home. Runs until 7 June, Entry free.
Down House. Darwin’s countryside dwelling of 40 years, near Croydon, reopens on 13 February. The house and gardens are maintained by English Heritage and were this year nominated as a World Heritage Site. £8.80 adults, £4.40 children.
Events
Darwin Day at the Natural History Museum. Gallery characters, film screenings, special talks and a chance to taste Emma Darwin’s soup recipe. Events start from 11.30, entrance is free.
Imperial College’s Faculty of Natural Sciences Darwin Day. For a more sober take on the subject, Matt Ridley, Armand Leroi and Randal Keynes (Darwin’s great, great grandson) discuss the essence of Darwin’s genius, and the genetic revolution since Darwin’s time. Entrance free.
Plenty of further events are scheduled for the next few weeks. Check out the Darwin200 site and our own events calendar for more details. And don’t forget the Darwin guided walk we put together last year.