Charles Darwin: His Life and Work

Abstract

BETWEEN the voluminous “Life and Letters” of his father, by Prof. Francis Darwin, and the brief epitome of Darwin's work, by Mr. G. T. Bettany, published in 1887 in the “Great Writers” series, there has hitherto been a gap which has only been partially filled by such books as Grant Allen' “Charles Darwin” in the series of “English Worthies.” In the first of the works mentioned, our great naturalist is chiefly allowed to speak for himself, while in the second we have a digest of his scientific achievements. Although has been generally considered that the life of Darwin from the time of the return of the Beagle was too uneventful to make an interesting biography, we have always been of opinion that there existed sufficient material for a popular “Life” of the very greatest interest provided that this material could be skilfully and judiciously worked up. The work under notice supplies this want, and American and English readers are now provided with a biography which is both entertaining and accurate.

Charles Darwin: His Life and Work.

By Charles Frederick Holder. (New York and London: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1891.)