Charles Darwin: His Life Told in an Autobiographical Chapter, and in a Selected Series of his Published Letters.

This unique and intimate biography, compiled by Darwin's son, Francis Darwin, offers a personal look at the life and work of the great naturalist.

The book is structured around an "Autobiographical Chapter"--a highly personal memoir written by Charles Darwin for his family in 1876 and never intended for public view. This candid account provides an unparalleled view of his childhood, education, motivations, and the mental processes that led to his world-changing theories.

Francis Darwin then supplements this memoir with a selected series of his father's letters. These letters span his entire career, revealing the development of his ideas and his interactions with the scientific community. They trace his life from the voyage of the Beagle through the decades of quiet observation and experimentation at Down House, culminating in the publication of On the Origin of Species and the ensuing reception of his work.

Charles Darwin: His Life Told in an Autobiographical Chapter, and in a Selected Series of his Published Letters is an essential resource for understanding Darwin the man, a powerful self-portrait edited by the person who knew him best.

Charles Darwin was an English naturalist and author best-known for his revolutionary theories on the origin of species, human evolution, and natural selection. A life-long interest in the natural world led Darwin to neglect his medical studies and instead embark on a five-year scientific voyage on the HMS Beagle, where he established his reputation as a geologist and gathered much of the evidence that fuelled his later theories.A prolific writer, Darwin s most famous published works include The Voyage of the Beagle, On the Origin of Species, The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex, and The Expression of Emotions in Man and Animals. Darwin died in 1882, and in recognition of his contributions to science, is buried in Westminster Abbey along with John Herschel and Isaac Newton.