Evolution, Darwin and the Beagle (Exhibition)

Exist Dates

1981 December 27 - 1982 February 12

Biographical or Historical Note

abstract

Exhibition. Opened December 27, 1981 and closed February 12, 1982. Located in Section 12, Floor 1 in the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Hall at the American Museum of Natural History. Evolution, Darwin and the Beagle, an Arthur Ross Exhibit of the Month, marked the 150th anniversary of Charles Darwin's voyage on the Beagle, and focused on other early proponents of evolution.

Summary

Evolution, Darwin and the Beagle, an Arthur Ross Exhibit of the Month, marked the 150th anniversary of Charles Darwin's voyage on the Beagle, and focused on other early proponents of evolution, including Comte Georges Louis Leclerc de Buffon, Thomas Robert Malthus, Jean Baptiste de Lamarck, Herbert Spencer, Alfred Wallace, and Sir Charles Lyell (1, p. 1-2). Members of the Department of Invertebrates contributed to the exhibition: William K. Emerson and William E. Old, Jr. provided specimens of invertebrates and label copy, and Niles Eldredge also worked on the exhibition (2, p. 12). Arthur Ross Exhibits of the Month were installed by the Department of Exhibition and Graphics.

Highlights (1, p. 2):

*Books from evolutionary theorists

*A page from Darwin's original manuscripts of On the Origin of Species

*A first edition of On the Origin of Species

*A model of the Beagle

*A map charting the ship's voyage

*A bust of Charles Darwin

*An early copy of Darwin's diary from the Beagle voyage

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. "American Museum Exhibition Marks 150th Anniversary of Charles Darwin's Voyage on the 'Beagle'." December 15, 1981. Departmental Records, DR 101. American Museum of Natural History Library.

(2) American Museum of Natural History. Annual Reports, Departmental. "The Annual Report Department of Invertebrates For the Fiscal Year July 1, 1981 – June 30, 1982." May 17, 1982. Departmental Records, DR 098. American Museum of Natural History Library.

(3) American Museum of Natural History. Annual Report. New York: American Museum of Natural History, 1980-1981.

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Related Corporate, Personal, and Family Names

American Museum of Natural History. Department of Exhibition.
Installed exhibition (3, p. 48)

American Museum of Natural History. Department of Invertebrates.
Related department (2, p. 12)

Eldredge, Niles
Worked on exhibition; Department of Invertebrates (2, p. 12)

Emerson, William K.
Provided specimens of invertebrates and label copy for exhibition (2, p. 12)

New York State Roosevelt Memorial.
Location of exhibition (Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Hall) 1981 December 27, 1981 – 1982 February 12

Old, William, E.
Provided specimens of invertebrates and label copy for exhibition (2, p. 12)

Related Resources

American Museum of Natural History. Annual Report. New York: American Museum of Natural History, 1980-1981: 22, 48, 53.

American Museum of Natural History annual reports, 1902-2001.
"The Annual Report Department of Invertebrates For the Fiscal Year July 1, 1981 – June 30, 1982." May 17, 1982.

American Museum of Natural History press releases, 1933-1990s.
"American Museum Exhibition Marks 150th Anniversary of Charles Darwin's Voyage on the 'Beagle'." December 15, 1981.

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