The book was purchased in the early 20th century by Edward Bradford Titchener, an English-born psychologist and professor at Cornell University, and handed down to the current owner. It bears the inscription "Professor Caspary / Koenigsberg / from the author."Ĭaspary's work was discussed in other Darwin publications including his 1868 The Variation of Animals and Plants Under Domestication as well as in his 1877 The Different Forms of Flowers on Plants of the Same Species. The original owner of the book was German botanist Robert Caspary, who corresponded frequently with Darwin. The book was among a number of first edition presentation copies that were sent to family and friends shortly after it was published. His revolutionary scientific theory is considered a turning point in the history of science as it clashed with religious beliefs in creation. The book had been held in a private collection for almost 100 years.ĭarwin, a British naturalist and biologist who developed the theory of evolution by observing and studying birds, plants and fossils around the world, published the book in 1859. To learn more about this item, visit the Smithsonian Libraries website.A first edition of Charles Darwin's Origin of Species has sold for more than half a million dollars at auction, setting a world record, Bonhams auction house said.īonhams said the 160-year-old copy of On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection was sold for $500,075 (€445,000) to an anonymous telephone buyer following a four-way bidding battle that ended at midnight on Thursday. To learn more about the 1.9 million living species known to science, visit the Encyclopedia of Life’s website. Title page of On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin, 1859, first edition, via the Library of Congress At its most simplistic, natural evolution is based on two points: variation and speciation. 10143, and was acquired by the Smithsonian Libraries in 1976. This important first edition is registered with the Darwin Census, no. Darwin’s theory continues to guide research of experts at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History to this day. Joseph Henry, the first Secretary of the Smithsonian, held the book in high regard. It soon found supporters at the Smithsonian. In 1859, he published his theory in On the Origin of Species, a revolutionary book that changed the course of modern science. Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection grew out of his work aboard the Beagle. His work would eventually make Beagle one of the most famous ships in history.ĭuring this five-year scientific voyage to South America and the Galápagos Islands, Darwin collected animal fossils, inspected plant specimens and studied the geology of islands and coral reefs. Darwin, the young naturalist hired to provide advice on geology, was on board. 27, 1831, Beagle began its second survey voyage. It was moored afloat for years until it was finally adapted as an exploration bark and took part in three expeditions. In 1820, Beagle was launched from the Woolwich Dockyard on the River Thames in London. This Smithsonian Snapshot marks the May 11, 1820, anniversary of the launch of HMS Beagle, the ship that took Charles Darwin on his scientific voyage. On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin, 1859, Smithsonian Institution Libraries On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life. Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, African Art.
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