Charles Darwin: The Evolution of an Evolutionist (Exhibition)

Exist Dates

1959 November 24 - 1960 January 31

Biographical or Historical Note

abstract

Exhibition. Opened November 24, 1959 and closed January 31, 1960. Located in Section 5, Floor 2 in the Corner Gallery of the American Museum of Natural History. Charles Darwin: Evolution of an Evolutionist marked the 100th anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of Species and followed Darwin through his early life, his life as a naturalist aboard the H.M.S. Beagle, to his later family life and scholarship through photographs, drawings, memorabilia, and textual material. It was curated by Edwin Colbert.

Summary

Charles Darwin: Evolution of an Evolutionist marked the 100th anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of Species and followed Darwin through his early life, his life as a naturalist aboard H.M.S. Beagle, to his later family life and scholarship through reproductions of photographs, drawings, memorabilia, and textual material, as well as maps designed for the exhibition. The exhibition, curated by Edwin Colbert, was intended to capture Darwin's habits, temperament, and the people and events that shaped his career, with most of the text in Darwin's own words. The exhibition featured an original page from The Origin of Species and a detailed scale model of the H.M.S. Beagle by former Museum scientific illustrator Lois Darling (1, p. 1-3; 2, p. 38). Not long after the exhibition's opening, the Smithsonian Institution's Division of Circulating Exhibits requested the exhibition, which was sent to Washington D.C. after its closing at the American Museum of Natural History (3).

Sections in the exhibition included (4):

*Early Life I

*The Voyage II

*Origin of Species III

*Main Points of Origin of Species IV

This is a condensed summary of the exhibition. For additional information, see Sources and/or Related Resources.

Sources

(1) American Museum of Natural History. Press Release. "100th Anniversary of Darwin's Work Celebrated in New Exhibition at Natural History Museum.'" November 22, 1959. Departmental Records, DR 101. American Museum of Natural History Library.

(2) American Museum of Natural History. Annual Report. New York: American Museum of Natural History, 1959-1960.

(3) American Museum of Natural History. Annual Reports, Departmental. "Report from the Chairman of the Department of Exhibition and Graphic Arts July 1, 1959 - June 30, 1960." [1960]. Departmental Records, DR 098. American Museum of Natural History Library.

(4) American Museum of Natural History. Photographic Prints. American Museum of Natural History Special Collections, images: 327082, 327087, 327085, 327086.

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Related Corporate, Personal, and Family Names

American Museum of Natural History. Corner Gallery.
Location of exhibition 1959 November 24 – 1960 January 31 (1, p. 1)

Colbert, Edwin H. (Edwin Harris) 1905-2001
Curator of exhibition (2, p. 38)

Darling, Lois
Artist, H.M.S. Beagle model (1, p. 2)

Darwin, Charles 1809-1882
Featured (1, p. 1)

Related Resources

American Museum of Natural History. Annual Report. New York: American Museum of Natural History, 1959-1960: 38, 56.

American Museum of Natural History annual reports, 1902-2001.
"Report from the Chairman of the Department of Exhibition and Graphic Arts July 1, 1959 - June 30, 1960"; "Department of Geology and Paleontology Annual Report – July 1, 1959 to June 30, 1960"

American Museum of Natural History press releases, 1933-1990s.
"100th Anniversary of Darwin's Work Celebrated in New Exhibition at Natural History Museum.'" November 22, 1959.

American Museum of Natural History Special Collections photographic drawers
Repository: AMNH Special Collections. [Black and white photo prints of exhibition on view]

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