Scientific Meeting - Darwin, finches, faith and fossils: the real voyage of the ‘Beagle’

Charles Darwin developed his groundbreaking ideas on natural selection when he visited the Galapagos, and realised that the islands' finches and giant tortoises had evolved into different distinct species.

That's the one thing everyone knows about Darwin, isn't it? But history is rarely as straightforward as you might think – and the truth is far more interesting for what it reveals about new ways of seeing the world, and the clash between tradition and innovation, science and religion.

Darwin's initial ideas about the Galapagos fauna were actually grounded in Creationism rather than evolution, and the extensive fossils of unknown large mammals he found in South America were far more influential in helping him develop his theories.

And why was Darwin actually onboard the 'Beagle' at all – and what effect did his revolutionary ideas have on his former crewmates?

Organised by Dr Sam Turvey, Institute of Zoology, ZSL and Carly Waterman, Conservation Programmes, ZSL.

Talks & Speakers
TBC

The talks are free and open to the public (no advance booking or registration required). Talks will begin at 6.00pm; doors open at 5.15pm and seats will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis. A dinner with the speakers will follow this Scientific Meeting and places must be booked in advance. A booking form will be available from this page by early-January; please download for further information.

Further Information: please contact Joy Hayward, Scientific Meetings Coordinator, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London NW1 4RY.
Tel:+44 (0)20 7449 6227. Fax: +44 (0)20 7449 6411. E-mail: joy.hayward@zsl.org.

Related links
ZSL Scientific Meetings
Map showing ZSL Meeting Rooms