darwin's home a world heritage site

[Donat Agosti]

Here something different

Independent, 13 January 2006 08:03 Home > News > UK > This Britain 

World Heritage bid for the home where Darwin's work evolved 

By Geneviève Roberts 
Published: 13 January 2006 

The home where Charles Darwin wrote The Origin of the Species is to be
nominated as a World Heritage Site. 

Down House at Downe, in the London Borough of Bromley, was the
scientist's home for 40 years. Now known as Darwin House, it includes
his experimental garden, where he developed and demonstrated his theory
of evolution through the study of plants and animals in natural settings
and under human management.

In announcing the UK's 2006 nomination for World Heritage status, Tessa
Jowell said: "Darwin was one of the greatest scientists of the modern
age and his contribution to understanding of the natural world is
unrivalled.

"World Heritage Sites are usually associated with cultural landmarks
like the Great Wall of China and Stonehenge or outstanding natural
landscapes like the Grand Canyon National Park.

"But it is also essential to acknowledge scientific endeavour and
discovery, which are both key components in our understanding of
environmental conservation. The World Heritage Committee called for
nominations for the World Heritage List to recognise and celebrate
outstanding achievements of science and the Darwin at Downe nominations
does just this. I am delighted to submit this formal nomination."

It was after his epic round-the-world voyage on HMS Beagle in the 1830s,
during which he visited the Galapagos Islands, that Darwin and his
family moved to Downe in 1842. The site is now managed by English
Heritage, which backed the World Heritage Site bid.

The Origin of Species, which outlines Darwin's theory of evolution by
natural selection, is now recognised as one of the most influential
books of all time and transformed scientific and wider public thinking
about natural life and humans' place in the world.

The change in thinking that the book brought about was a historic stage
in the development of the modern understanding of life on earth and
human nature.

Sir Neil Cossons, chairman of English Heritage, said: "It is very
exciting to think this area could be a World Heritage Site in time for
Darwin's bicentenary in 2009 and for the Olympics in 2012."

The nomination of Darwin at Downe has been submitted to the World
Heritage Centre in Paris, and will now be assessed by expert advisers to
the World Heritage Committee over the next 12 months.

Final decisions will be made by the World Heritage Committee at its
annual meeting in the summer of 2007. 

The home where Charles Darwin wrote The Origin of the Species is to be
nominated as a World Heritage Site. 

Down House at Downe, in the London Borough of Bromley, was the
scientist's home for 40 years. Now known as Darwin House, it includes
his experimental garden, where he developed and demonstrated his theory
of evolution through the study of plants and animals in natural settings
and under human management.

In announcing the UK's 2006 nomination for World Heritage status, Tessa
Jowell said: "Darwin was one of the greatest scientists of the modern
age and his contribution to understanding of the natural world is
unrivalled.

"World Heritage Sites are usually associated with cultural landmarks
like the Great Wall of China and Stonehenge or outstanding natural
landscapes like the Grand Canyon National Park.

"But it is also essential to acknowledge scientific endeavour and
discovery, which are both key components in our understanding of
environmental conservation. The World Heritage Committee called for
nominations for the World Heritage List to recognise and celebrate
outstanding achievements of science and the Darwin at Downe nominations
does just this. I am delighted to submit this formal nomination."
It was after his epic round-the-world voyage on HMS Beagle in the 1830s,
during which he visited the Galapagos Islands, that Darwin and his
family moved to Downe in 1842. The site is now managed by English
Heritage, which backed the World Heritage Site bid.

The Origin of Species, which outlines Darwin's theory of evolution by
natural selection, is now recognised as one of the most influential
books of all time and transformed scientific and wider public thinking
about natural life and humans' place in the world.

The change in thinking that the book brought about was a historic stage
in the development of the modern understanding of life on earth and
human nature.

Sir Neil Cossons, chairman of English Heritage, said: "It is very
exciting to think this area could be a World Heritage Site in time for
Darwin's bicentenary in 2009 and for the Olympics in 2012."

The nomination of Darwin at Downe has been submitted to the World
Heritage Centre in Paris, and will now be assessed by expert advisers to
the World Heritage Committee over the next 12 months.

Final decisions will be made by the World Heritage Committee at its
annual meeting in the summer of 2007.
---------------
Dr. Donat Agosti
Research Associate, American Museum of Natural History and Smithsonian
Institution
 
Email: agosti at amnh.org
Web: http://antbase.org
CV: http://antbase.org/agosticv_2003.html
 
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