Darwin's Mentor: John Stevens Henslow, 1796-1861

by S. M. Walters, E. A. Stow, Patrick Bateson

Overview

John Stevens Henslow is known for his formative influence on Charles Darwin, who described their meeting as the one circumstance "which influenced my career more than any other." A Professor of Botany at Cambridge University, Henslow was Darwin's teacher and eventual life-long friend, but what of the man himself? In this new biography, much previously unpublished material has been carefully gathered to produce a rounded picture of a remarkable academic and Victorian philanthropist. The time in 1829-31, when Darwin "walked with Henslow" in and around Cambridge, was followed directly by Darwin's voyage around the world. The gradually changing relationship between teacher and pupil over the course of time is revealed through their correspondence, illuminating a remarkable friendship that persisted, in spite of Darwin's eventual atheism and Henslow's never-failing liberal Christian belief, to the end of Henslow's life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521591461
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	09/13/2001
Pages:	368
Product dimensions:	7.17(w) x 10.04(h) x 1.34(d)

Table of Contents

Foreword P. Bateson; Preface; Acknowledgements; List of figures; List of colour plates; Part I. Origins: 1. Family background: growing up in Kent and London; Part II. Cambridge: 2. The young Henslow at Cambridge; 3. Henslow: men who influenced him at Cambridge; 4. Harriet; 5. The young Professor; 6. Educating Charles Darwin and others; 7. The middle years: politics, policing and publication; 8. The Botanic Garden: old and new; 9. A liberal churchman; Part III. Hitcham: 10. Early years as Rector of Hitcham; 11. The Rector; 12. The later years; Epilogue; Appendix 1. Genealogical tables; Appendix 2. Chronology; Appendix 3. Dramatis personae; Appendix 4. Eponymous taxa; Appendix 5. Local botanical records; Endnotes; Bibliography; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"This fascinating book contains many beautiful illustrations and should appeal to naturalists and historians of science." Choice

"The book is handsomely produced...It touches on all aspects of Henslow's busy life and undoubtedly will be his definative biography." Journal of the History of Biology

"An enjoyable read, of interest both to academics and anyone wanting to know more about Darwin and his influences."
Southeastern Naturalist

From the Publisher