Darwin's ancestry; his grandfather, Dr. Erasmus Darwin, a
successful physician, and author of "The Botanic Garden,"
"The Temple of Nature," &c.; his father, Robert Waring
Darwin, also a successful physician; his maternal grand-
father, Josiah Wedgwood, the celebrated potter; his
mother's education and training; Charles Robert Darwin,
born at Shrewsbury, Feb. 12, 1809; Mrs. Darwin dies in
July, 1817; her eldest son, Erasmus, friend of the
Carlyles; Charles Darwin's education by Mr. Case, and at
Shrewsbury Grammar School; his character as a boy; is
sent to Edinburgh University in 1825
Darwin a member of the Plinian Society, of Edinburgh; makes
natural history excursions; his first scientific paper read
March, 27, 1827; friendship with Dr. Grant; Jameson's
lectures on zoology; Darwin enters Christ's College, Cam-
bridge, in 1828; his friendship with Prof. Henslow; his
account of Henslow; Darwin at this time specially an
entomologist; his excursions with Henslow; takes B.A.
degree in 1831, M.A. in 1837; voyage of Beagle proposed,
and Darwin appointed as naturalist; the Beagle sails on Dec.
27, 1831; Darwin's letters to Henslow published 1835;
1832, Darwin at Teneriffe, Cape de Verde Islands, St.
Paul's Rocks, Bahia, Rio de Janeiro (April); excursions
into interior and amusing adventures; his experiences and
horror of slavery; at Monte Video, July; Maldonado,