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10 Things To Know About Charles Darwin’s Death

What comes to mind when you hear the name Charles Darwin? Let’s start with the most well-known theory, which explains how organisms evolve and survive through natural selection. This theory is called evolution. Evolutionary biology was a brand-new field of study in the life sciences that Darwin founded in 1837 when he was just shy of 30 years old.

We are all familiar with the story of Darwin’s discovery of the theory of evolution. Nevertheless, what we might not be aware of is that Darwin led a fairly exciting life. However not much is known about the end of his life and how he died, here are 10 things you need to know about Charles Darwin’s death.

1. Before his death Charles had 20 doctors

An article titled Darwin’s Illness Disclosed, written by then biochemist Anthony Campbell and the academic Stephanie Matthews, discussed potential illnesses that the famous scientist may have had based on his communication with family, friends, and coworkers.

According to medical authorities, he may have had Crohn’s disease, Chagas disease, hypochondria, various allergies, or lactose intolerance, which contributed to his vomiting, melancholy, and skin issues for 40 years prior to his passing. None of the twenty doctors he had could determine the cause of his ailments.

2. Darwin passed away in his family home 

, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Darwin worked on a number of scientific discoveries in his own home, as a matter of fact, he spent a lot of time carrying out experiments at Down House, his ancestral home in Kent which is where he spent 40 years. It’s safe to say that his home was his safe space, the place where his last moments were spent in the comfort of his family as well as his accomplishments. 

3. Historians are still debating his death

Scientists, historians, and medical experts continue to disagree on the exact reason for Charles Darwin’s death. The limited medical knowledge and medical tools available in Darwin’s day are the main causes of this ongoing uncertainty.

It is difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of his death because medical records from that time period are sometimes confusing or incomplete. Also, Darwin had a number of health problems throughout his life, including heart issues, digestive problems, and other chronic illnesses.

4. Darwin’s last words were to his wife

, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Memoirs of Charles Darwin’s Final Years, his wife’s account of the incident, details his final moments. He expressed his gratitude for all of his loved ones when speaking to his beloved and first cousin, Emma Wedgwood, about how he was not afraid of dying.

Remember what a good wife you have been to me, and tell all my children to think back on how kind they have all been to me, remarked Darwin. Henrietta and Francis, his children, continually cared for their father throughout his final days. It’s almost worthwhile to be sick to be cared for by you, he said as he passed away.

5. His death really affected his wife

The responsibility Emma had after her husband’s death was to ensure that his legacy lived on yet at the same time she had deeply held religious beliefs that she struggled with because of Darwin’s research. She was not only saddened by his passing but because she spent so much time helping him with his research she had mixed emotions when it came to science, can you imagine the irony of having a husband like Darwin but you’re a religious wife?

However, regardless of her feelings about his work she did the right thing by honouring his work, instead of putting his work aside, she decided to edit and share his works and letters in order to make sure that his thoughts were understood by more people. 

6. His work was still important even after his death

, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Darwin was one of the greatest minds that ever existed which is why it’s not surprising that he remained influential even after his death. His death meant brought about a sudden interest in his writings and beliefs, and other researchers and academicians were focused on evolutionary biology.

His theories have been used by generations of scholars who have continuously improved the theory of evolution. If you belong to the scientific community it would be impossible to ignore or avoid Darwin’s effect which has greatly changed fields such as genetics, palaeontology, anthropology and environmental studies. 

7. Charles’s body was examined after his death

The reason for his death was unknown which was why his body was examined after his death. It was evidently important because through this postmortem they discovered that he had lost weight and had heart disease symptoms. However, keep in mind that at the time medical knowledge was totally different from what we have now and that even though the doctors at the time were on to something, his exact reason for death is still up for debate. 

8. He was not meant to be buried in Westminster Abbey

, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Darwin believed he would be laid to rest in Downe’s St. Mary’s Churchyard. But because of his great contributions to evolutionary research, his colleagues decided to honour him by having him buried in Westminster Abbey. His bones were buried next to those of John Herschel and Issac Newton, two other famous scientists. Darwin’s funeral was attended by a sizable number of loved ones, friends, and esteemed coworkers.

9. His children took care of his burial preparations 

The arrangements were handled by Darwin’s children William, George, and Henrietta, who also compiled lists of family members, friends, and dignitaries to invite and chose the pallbearers. Along with representatives from colleges and learned societies, there were also the ambassadors of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Russia. 

10. The body lay overnight in the Abbey

The body was left in Abbey’s tiny chapel of St. Faith overnight before the family and notable mourners carried the casket inside the Monastery on the morning of April 26. Sir Joseph Hooker, Alfred Russell Wallace, James Russell Lowell (U.S. Ambassador), and William Spottiswoode served as the pallbearers (President of the Royal Society).

Canon Prothero presided over the funeral service, which was held in the Lantern and featured the choir singing anthems. The leading mourners then followed the casket into the north aisle of the Nave, where Darwin was laid to rest close to Newton and famous scientist Sir John Herschel.

There’s absolutely no doubt that Charles’s ideas have continued to shape how we see the world around us and especially for scientists. His work has helped millions of scientists and philosophers to have a lot of information that has helped them build foundations that continue to build his legacy.

Just like everybody else, his life came to an end but it doesn’t mean that his contributions to biology and science have left us, the fact that we’re still talking about him now says a lot about his influence even to the modern world.