5 facts you may not know about Charles Darwin

It’s International Darwin Day! The day dedicated to celebrating the life of Charles Darwin, one of the most influential figures in human history.

Darwin is best known for introducing the scientific theory of natural selection and contributing massively to the science of evolution.

However, here are five facts you may not know about the father of evolution.

5. Darwin Married his First Cousin

On January 29th, 1839, Charles Darwin married his first cousin Emma Wedgwood. Today, the idea of cousins getting married is largely perceived as aberrant and is even illegal in parts of the world. But to Darwin, marrying Emma was a logical course of action. Indeed, in The Correspondence of Charles Darwin, Darwin wrote up a list of positives and negatives to Emma in arguing for why they should get married.

4. Darwin has Mountains and Islands Named After him

For his 25th birthday in 1834, Darwin had the highest peak in Tierra del Fuego named after him. As well, two mountains in Tasmania and California share the name Mount Darwin. And if that wasn’t enough, Darwin also has Islands in the Falklands, Galapagos, and Antarctica named after him as well.

3. Darwin was an Agnostic

At a time when almost everyone in England subscribed to a form of Christianity, Darwin was a proponent of agnosticism. Although Darwin was raised a Christian, his life experiences challenged his religious faith to the point where he eventually became highly critical of particular religious doctrines and teachings.

2. Darwin had 10 Children

Darwin and Emma had 10 Children together. Although two tragically died in infancy and another died at the age of 10, the other seven went on to live long and largely successful lives.

1. Darwin Once ate an owl - Along With Other Animals

Darwin wasn’t only curious about the biology of animals, but also their taste. While studying at Cambridge University in England, Darwin joined a club where they ate all sorts of unlikely animals, like hawks and in one instance an owl. As well, during his travels in Patagonia and the Galapagos islands, Darwin ate a puma, armadillos, iguanas and tortoises. Although he wrote about not being able to stomach the owl, he did write that iguanas were some of the best meat he had ever tasted.