Charles Darwin: The Power of Place

Charles Darwin #2

by Janet Browne

In 1858, Charles Darwin was forty-nine years old, a gentleman scientist living quietly at Down House in the Kent countryside. He was not yet a focus of debate; his "big book on species" still lay on his desk as a manuscript. For more than twenty years he had been accumulating material for it, puzzling over the questions that it raised, trying to bring it to a satisfactory conclusion, and wanting to be certain that his startling theory of evolution was correct.

It is at this point that the concluding volume of Janet Browne's magisterial biography opens. Beginning with the extraordinary events that finally forced the Origin of Species into print, we come to the years of fame and controversy. Here, Browne does dramatic justice to all aspects of the Darwinian revolution, from a fascinating examination of the Victorian publishing scene to a survey of the debates between scientists and churchmen over evolutionary theory. At the same time, she presents a wonderfully sympathetic and authoritative picture of Darwin himself.

Genres: Biography, Science, Nonfiction, History, Evolution, Biology, History Of Science

632 pages, Paperback

First published September 10, 2002

About the author

Elizabeth Janet Browne (née Bell, born 30 March 1950) is a British historian of science, known especially for her work on the history of 19th century biology. She taught at the Wellcome Trust Centre for the History of Medicine, University College, London, before returning to Harvard. She is currently Aramont Professor of the History of Science at Harvard University

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first volume of Darwin's biography more than the second. There are two possible reasons for this. First, I was more drawn to the stories of Darwin's youth, and his explorations while aboard the Beagle. Second, I was "Darwined out," and after 800 or more pages of dense biography, I grew weary. Whatever the case, Browne's acheivement is memorable. And he my hero.

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Power of Place is the second part of Janet Browne's two-part Darwin biography. I've enjoyed these volumes immensely and definitely recommend them to anyone interested in Darwin's life and the broader context of his scientific work. These are certainly a great deal more informative than Darwin's own autobiography, which, to be fair, was never really meant for public consumption.

This ends my Darwin reading series. I've read Origin of Species, as well as Voyage of the Beagle, Descent of Man, Autobiography, and now this two-part biography. It's been an interesting literary detour into the kind of thing I don't usually read much about. Darwin is a fascinating historical character, though his combination of prose style and subject matter often make for very dry reading as far as the books he authored.

Browne's biography is a great corrective, telling us about a Darwin who was very interested in the social ramifications of his ideas, and interested as well in protecting his own place in the class hierarchy and scientific pecking order. He was a genuinely strange blend of self-interested wealthy country gentlemen but also increasingly committed to more radical interpretations of his ideas as he aged. I think some of this is what Browne intends to convey with her subtitle. He is constrained by his societal and geographic place in many ways.

Contrast this subtitle with that of volume 1: Voyaging. In the first volume, Darwin is relatively free, making his voyage on the Beagle, where some of these ideas get their foothold. In volume two, he has returned home and will be forever anchored by the expectations this place puts upon him. In part one, he is energetic, virile, indefatigable. In part two, he is sickly, weak, tired. It's a framing choice that helps us get some insight into his character.

Power of Place begins as Darwin gets serious about publishing the book that would become Origin of Species mainly because he is afraid Wallace is going to beat him to the punch. All the rest of the book after that is concerned with the fallout. The rest of Darwin's work is all in one way or another devoted to supporting that ur-book. We spend a lot of time with Huxley, Lyell, and other early defenders of evolution and have a good start on a discussion of what the increasing acceptance of evolution means in a greater cultural sense. (This is my main interest in the book, and honestly I would have liked to have seen it further expanded on.)

We also continue to spend time with Darwin's family, though not to the extent we do in the first volume. This one is certainly less personal and more dedicated to his professional life, as perhaps you'd expect given the topics it must cover.

There's no shortage of Darwin biographies out there, but I think I chose well when I went with Browne's. It's comprehensive and fair and informative. Hard to ask for much more than that when dealing with a figure who still elicits as much reaction as Darwin.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with the 1st volume, this is often slow-paced but filled with information. It seems Browne never met a detail she didn't like, and unfortunately the work sometimes devolves into lists of people, dates, or publications. I often found myself wishing she had added more context or explanation to the facts she presented, to help me understand what the point was. Informative, but for Darwin enthusiasts only, I think.

[Colin Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second of the two volumes of the biography by Janet Browne. This takes the story from the publishing of The Origin of Species through the rest of Charles Darwins' life. Through his various research, his writing and the huge correspondence that he built up with friends and those who helped in his work.

The book is very well written with a lively style that helps those of us not attuned to academic work to find an interesting way through the story. I am pleased that I found my way to the volumes and that the end has been reached.

Highly recommended for anyone with time and interest to devote to the subject. 5 stars.

[Sher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 34 2012 Reading Challenge
This book will be one of my top books for 2012. I read Vol 1 in 2011, and Vol 2 is just as amazing, fascinating, and absorbing. The biography is a rich look into Darwin's psyche and of those closest to him - family and friends. The way of science in the 19th century is captivating and the way a rich country gentleman comes to create theories that dominate the modern mind - is also amazing. It couldn't be done today, because we require credentials, double blind studies...
Darwin had a guard, a group of protectors, men in science who stood by him through all the criticism and fame. Darwin became incredibly famous during his lifetime. He wrote thousands of letters a year, kept journals, and much of this is still available for us to see. Plus all his family- wife and children- kept journals and wrote letters- as did all of his contemporaries. An incredibly rich body of source materials for Browne to sift through. I am proud of myself for getting through over 1000 pages (both volumes combined). I learned so much about how his theories came about. I also realized another man came to many of the same conclusions Darwin did, but Darwin got all the fame/credit... and rightly so, I believe. These volumes also provide a comprehensive view of many forces at work during Darwin's lifetimes-- how university education evolved, botany, geology, insects, spiritualism, mesmerism, materialism. And Did I mention Darwin wrote quite a view books-- even one on orchids! What a remarkable, eccentric, creative, driven, curious man. Plus, Emma, his wife was an interesting woman and a tremendous support and helpmate. Great read! Thank you Janet Browne!

[Feisty Harriet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in a 2-part biography on Darwin by Janet Browne and covers the bulk of Darwin's life and writing career, spent primarily in his country estate in Down/Downe. While meticulously researched and full of all sorts of tid-bits on the life of Darwin, his family, friends, correspondents, enemies, and colleagues, I will admit to liking the first book much more; it covered his 5-year voyage on the Beagle which was far more fascinating to read about than his 8 years researching barnacles or earth worms or orchids or whatever, and the countless revised editions of his books, however valuable their contribution to his science and reputation.

That being said, I don't think you can read the first without also reading the second to see how, exactly, this shy homebody natural scientist became such a tremendous force of change in Victorian science and culture.

This will probably only be enjoyed by the true nerds (you are my people).

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

this will include some thoughts on both books together as well as some specific thoughts on this book.

overall, i really fell in love with the darwin story from reading browne's meticulous biography. she does an excellent job making the narrative feel alive, splicing in primary source material from darwin's diary entries, the incredible amount of mail correspondence he wrote, and his books and articles. start to finish this biography feels alive, comprehensive, and full of crucial supporting detail about the historical context. i would happily recommend this to anyone regardless of their interest in any of the underlying subject matter.

darwin's story is at its core the story of a life well lived. of course there's significant complexity and pivotal events in his personal story, but i couldn't help but leave with the overriding impression that darwin, while not faultless, was a man of strong values, good faith, and admirable forbearance. it really is gratifying to see this hero triumph in his quest to revolutionize how humans understand themselves and their place in the world. there's not much need for cynicism, excuses, or qualifications (unless you're a deeply religious person i guess), which feels rare in contemporary accounts of historical figures. i found it to be an uplifting read that i was ultimately sad to see conclude.

thematically, darwin's story touches on a variety of points that i found insightful for my own life experience.

1. the value of recording. darwin was a far more prolific writer than he was a published author. it made me reflect on how reluctant or lazy i can be in recording my own thoughts, and has inspired me to put more time into this for more effective reflection.

2. great achievement is a team effort. while darwin receives the plaudits for evolution and natural selection, this is really a shorthand way to integrate one important theory into a wider historical narrative. browne really demonstrates how critical darwin's family, beagle voyagers, scientific community, lay persons, darwin's children and especially emma, his wife, etc all made what he did possible. what a great story to show people just how many roles there are involved in creating success of any meaningful kind, much less what darwin achieved.

3. interdisciplinary thinking. this is really the lens through which i expected to approach this book (i picked it up after reading about it in poor charlie's almanac, where munger praises darwin's interdisciplinary abilities as well as his ability to think creatively and dismantle preconceived structural assumptions) and it did not disappoint. i had no idea that much of darwin's early foundations were in geology and that his geological insights would form the basis of his famous theories. this story really hammers home how transposition of knowledge across different areas (mental models, as munger would call them) can be a valuable way to generate new insight.

4. perfectionism. this is a noble pursuit and a foolish goal. darwin ultimately was pushed to write and publish origin of species because he was afraid of getting beat to the punch. as someone who can overthink things, i really appreciated this experience. it's a lesson that no problem is ever fully solved, and that ultimately one has to push their ideas out to the public. this is the real test of one's ideas, and where they will be sharpened and really reach their full potential. once reasonably prepared, publish and stand by your results, but be ready to adjust to new information and perspectives without taking things personally.

specifically for vol 2, i think the only point of criticism i could raise is that, for the casual reader like myself, there are some elements here that are by no means frivolous, but some tangents may be more detailed than needed. browne is comprehensive in her scope, and all elements included are valuable for the completion of her project, but are maybe aimed towards a slightly more studious audience. not a real issue by any means. i still would heartily recommend this to anyone who wants an excellent biography and is prepared to engage with two books summing up to nearly 1000 pages.

[Jeff Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read Janet Browne's 2nd volume on Darwin not long after the book was published in 2002. I waited 20 years before re-reading - enough time to read much more about the man that has become an enormous teacher to me for the last 40 years and enough time to forget aspects of the book so that it was like reading it for the first time.

I again marvelled at the author's attention to detail about the man, his family, his wide variety of investigations from the minutiae of worms and orchids to the immensity of evolution and how man descended from apes. This time, though, I paid more attention to the stories about how the world attuned itself to Darwin's theories and why it did so, eventually with such alacrity.

The world of mid-19thC England (and Europe, Australia and the USA) was developing rapidly and Darwin was timely. Not only did he surround himself with like-minded disciples like Huxley but also was able to pour his wisdom into a world of books and journals that gave him supreme marketing power. It was as though he had invented the internet and the world's greatest browser, but, of course, far more important in that the theory of evolution affects all of us in that it re-wrote the story of how humans came to be and critiqued the ultra-strong religions of the world.

That there are so many that will not allow themselves to see the enormity of evolution and how it describes the essence of humanity as well as making any rationale for religion impossible, is bewildering, especially after seeing how the world took to Darwin's theories in the nineteenth century. 140 years since his death in 1882, there are so many that will not listen to the arguments he made despite the enormous advances since then that showed how DNA (discovered in the 1950s) so closely follows the rules that Darwin developed.

Janet Browne's book is clear, balanced and sincere. It is a wonderful book that reveals not only his work but the man himself as well as the family and wide circle of friends around him that helped to cement the story of humanity and rightly gave Charles Darwin his place at the top table of science and the story of who we really are.

[Jitse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nou eindelijk uit :) Mooi om deel 2 van Darwin’s leven te ‘zien’ en hoe hij zijn indrukwekkende werk deed. Hij was een vriendelijke teruggetrokken man die goed voor zijn familie was maar ook altijd werkte als het kon.
Hij was ook een beetje een slappeling die z’n slechte gezondheid ook regelmatig als smoes gebruikte, en de hele familie was ingesteld op hem. Ook kon hij slecht omgaan met kritiek en liet hij een aantal mensen kapot maken die hem (wetenschappelijk gezien) in de weg zaten - met name door Huxley.
Tegelijkertijd was hij ook vrij bescheiden en sloeg best wel wat erebaantjes af. Misschien was hij oprecht een hele verlegen man. Dit rijmt alleen niet helemaal met het eerste deel van zijn leven. Ook druipt het privilege van elke pagina af: hij was een rijke miljonair die kon rentenieren en ontzettend machtige vriendjes had.
Aan het eind van zijn leven zei hij dat als hij zijn leven over zou doen, hij elke dag een paar dichtregels zou lezen. Nou die steken we dan maar in onze zak.
Kortom, goed opgeschreven, veel details (dus wel ploegen). En mooi dat teruggetrokken mensen zo’n invloed kunnen hebben op de wereld. Mooi om te zien hoe zien hoe die tijd was en hij erin functioneerde, maar voor een held/heilige zoek ik toch nog ff verder.

[Ralph Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took my time reading the 2 vols. of this biography, simply because I did not want it to end. The best, and certainly the longest, biography I have ever read. The first vol. covers D.'s life up to his return from the voyage of the Beagle (5 yrs.!) and his attempt to bring some order to the specimens and discoveries and ruminations of this monumental adventure. The 2nd vol. deals with everything following that, and can be a little dull at times since he was often very ill (probably from some chronic bug he picked up in the tropics) and also because he became fascinated by barnacles, then orchids, then insectivorous plants, etc. But the entire sweep and marrow of Victorian science is reflected and elucidated in this lengthy saga, including D.'s extensive relationships with other eminent scientists of his time, not only in Britain but elsewhere. This is an extraordinary 2-vol. bio, and I enthusiastically recommend it to all who have an interest in the history of science and in many of the fascinating people who inhabited it.

[HM · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very long book (vol. 2 of Darwin's comprehensive biography), and I was initially quite intimidated by the length. But, the text was very well written. There were a few deep dives that were less than interesting - but I really enjoyed the deep dive into the co-release of Wallace's theory with Darwin's, and details about the mutual respect and admiration that remained between the men throughout their lives. I was also very interested to read about how Darwin's later work was viewed (as he was considered quite quaint by later victorian scientists who were very focused on instruments and laboratories, and less enamored with observation and improvised experimentation).

[Cary Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great biography -- probably one of the few biographies I plan on going back and reading again. Great story of a man, an age, and a theory. At the end of it, I found myself wishing I could sit down and spend some time with this fascinating, likable man. This is the second half of Janet Browne's two-part biography, and should be read together with "Voyaging."

[James Levy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brown's book is a masterpiece. I rarely read, and am even less often impressed by, biographies, but this is such a fine-grained portrait of Darwin and his world that it leaves me close to speechless. It may be too much for a person with a casual interest in Darwin and/or Evolution, but if you are fascinated by the Victorian world, or how science gets done, the rewards are extraordinary.

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great biography, very even factual and measured voice, and lots of citations and good historical context. Melancholy at times.

[Susanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional biography. One of the best that I have read. Now on to volume 1.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, good read for all writers. You will feel buoyed and validated in Goldberg’s hands.

[Chris Leuchtenburg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second in two volume bio.

“The year which has passed has not, indeed, been marked by any of those striking discoveries which at once revolutionize, so to speak, the department of science on which they bear.” -- Thomas Bell, President of the Linnaen Society, after Darwin’s and Wallace’s papers were presented. p. 42

“Natural selection was not self-evident in nature, nor was it the kind of theory in which one could say, ‘Look here and see.’ Darwin had no crucial experiment that conclusively demonstrated evolution in action. He had no equations to establish his case. Everything in his book was to be words -- persuasion, revisualisation, the balance of probabilities, the interactions between large numbers of organisms, the subtle consequences of minute chances and changes.” p. 55

On the subject of Darwin’s opposition to slavery, “Conveniently, he forgot the colonial and industrial sources of British economic wealth, forgot that this own stocks and shares rested on the manual labour of railway navvies, miners, indentured mill-hands, and plantation coolies.” p. 215.

On Huxley’s invention of the word, agnostic, “In his hands agnosticism became as doctrinaire as anything else -- a religion of scepticism. Huxley used it as a creed that would place him on a higher moral plane than even bishops and archbishops.” p. 310

“...religious belief was ultimately nothing more than a primitive urge to bestow and cause on otherwise inexplicable natural events.... Audaciously, he compared religious devotion to the love of a dog for its master.’” P. 341

Darwin’s cousin William Darwin Fox, a country pastor rejecting the descent of man from apes: “The three main points of difference to my mind -- were that Men drink, smoke & thrash their wives -- & Beasts do not....” p. 344

[Arthur Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful two volume set about one of history’s greatest scientists. A revolutionary through his work on evolution.

The first book deals with Darwin’s younger years and mainly treats his around the world trip on the Beagle. A beautiful journey and great adventure. But also, a painful one for the young Darwin, due to the fact that he got seasick every time he climbed on board.

The second volume is dedicated to the scientific work that followed the journey around the world. The building of a revolutionary theory about life, … our life!

Darwin’s had to overcome many obstacles to get his “wild” ideas out. Not only scientifically, but also personal. Beforehand he knew that not everybody was prepared to get it’s head around such scientific and for that matter un-religious conclusions. Man, descended from apes?

For that reason, Darwin hesitated for many years to launch his theories. Until he couldn’t wait any longer. That moment came when he received a letter from a British colleague, who was doing research in Indonesia. In that famous letter this colleague, Alfred Russel Wallace, notified Darwin of his latest findings. Conclusions that were very similar to the ideas Darwin had built up during decades concerning evolution.

The rest is history! History, as written down beautifully by Janet Browne - who even had time to answer my letter after finishing this marvelous book. Besides English, available only in Spanish & Italian so far.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is quite an excellent biography. It spares no detail (it's two big volumes), but Browne does manage to weave it together into an engaging and enlightening story. By forces largely outside of Darwin's control, he found himself on the H.M.S. Beagle. He gathered a lifetimes worth of information on that trip, which he gradually formed into his theory of natural selection much later in life.

Darwin's life was a life of privilege. Preferential treatment got him on that boat. By being a member of the Darwin family, he got access to scientists and naturalists that other people didn't have. He had a close team of allies that did much of the publicity, debate, and confrontation that his On the Origin of Species triggered. Darwin himself was quite a homebody. He didn't like distraction and had a very close-knit family that did much of his editing and social planning. All of this lead to him being able to produce, eloquently and quite courageously, his theories and his evidence.

Great read if anyone cares to learn about Darwin.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes! I finished Volume 2. This detailed account of Darwin's writing and the conversations, arguments, and papers that ensued following The Origin of the Species is fascinating. Any one who doesn't believe in evolution should read these books (although I realize it's asking alot). The theory of evolution was not wildly accepted and was discussed and thought about..and is still being discussed.

Darwin himself is such a likable man...he loved his family and friends and tried to give credit to colleagues who deserved it. His fascination with science and patience with detail is inspiring. Certainly his years of studying plants and animals minutely, noting changes, added to his theory, but I am in awe of that patience.

If you are interested in the Victorian scientific era, this might be for you. It is a time of great curiosity.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fitting second piece to Voyaging. This biography is a detailed picture of a real man, and you feel like you know something about who Darwin was at the end. Browne unflinchingly reveals Darwin's foibles and shortcomings, and gives equal credit to his excellent qualities. She also does a tremendous job of painting the context of Darwin's life for modern readers. Darwin was certainly a smart, imaginative, resourceful man, but he was also a product of his time and place. Without the good descriptions that Browne gives of Darwin's situation, the changing times, and Darwin's contemporaries, he probably would have seemed more eccentric than he really was.

It's a long book, but I don't think it was overlong. Just take it in small parts and keep going until the end.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this second part of Janet Browne's biography of Charles Darwin. This part covers the post-Origin period as Darwin released his theory to the world and coped with the reaction.

In some ways this volume is drier than Volume 1: it doesn't feature the travelling, the adventure and the dynamism of a young man growing up. But I liked the in-depth discussion of Darwin's health problem, and the consideration of likely causes. And I also really liked the exploration of the new scientific establishment that formed around Darwin, and of the way he used it to buttress and further his own views.

An excellent biography.

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful biography to the man who challenged the - perfect - idea of creationism.

Darwin once wrote, "I never could believe that an inquisitor could be a good man, but now I know that a man may
roast another and yet have as kind and noble a heart as Sedgwick's."

Roasting one another... Indeed, they are.

[Andi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. I stayed up late to finally finish this book. (I was NOT looking forward to the end. SPOILER ALERT: he dies.) I'm too tired (and a little sad) to write more than this: I can't imagine a better biography of Darwin than Janet Browne's two-parter. How on earth could anyone top this??

[Glenyss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally finished the second volume of this excellent and scholarly biography. I wanted to understand what shaped the man that shaped the way we see the world. Now I'm really looking forward to visiting Darwin's house in Kent this June.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is hands-down one of the best books in history of science to be published in the last decade. Highly sophisticated and highly readable.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great biography of Darwin, and Browne gets deeply enough into his ideas to intrigue and satisfy a philosopher.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very satisfying biography of the man as well as the politics of science and scientific discovery in the Atlantic world of the 19th century.

[Jack Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tremendous trip through the late Victorian era,shining light on the
character of Darwin and many of his contemporaries in science religion
politics and the arts.

[John Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of Darwin's final years. It was OK, but not nearly as interesting as the story of Darwin's years of scientific discovery.