The vast and previously undisclosed personal library of renowned naturalist and biologist Charles Darwin has been unveiled online, offering a comprehensive look at the “extraordinary extent” of his research. The project, titled “The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online,” spans 18 years and coincides with what would have been Darwin’s 215th birthday.
Darwin’s personal library, comprising 7,400 titles and 13,000 volumes, was largely unknown or unpublished until now. The 300-page catalogue details an array of subjects, including biology, geology, philosophy, psychology, religion, art, history, and travel. Surprisingly, the collection also holds a German periodical containing the first-known photograph of bacteria.
Dr. John van Wyhe of the National University of Singapore (NUS) Department of Biological Sciences led the project, emphasizing that the library’s size and diversity showcase the “extraordinary extent” of Darwin’s engagement with the work of others. The virtual reconstruction of the library, featuring 9,300 links to free copies of the works, provides an unprecedented view of Darwin’s intellectual world.
Charles Darwin, who passed away in 1882, left behind more than 2,000 bound books, as recorded in an inventory of his home. Researchers used a 426-page, handwritten catalogue from 1875 to uncover 440 unknown titles that were part of Darwin’s library. Additional sources, including lists of pamphlets, reading notebooks, Emma Darwin’s diaries, donations to the Cambridge Botany School, and volumes of the Darwin Correspondence, contributed to the extensive project.
As the scientific community and enthusiasts celebrate this revelation, the online platform offers a valuable resource for scholars and history enthusiasts to explore the wealth of knowledge that influenced Darwin’s groundbreaking work.
