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Primary sourcePhotographc. 1868

Charles Darwin by Julia Margaret Cameron

Julia Margaret Cameron · c. 1868

A carbon-print photographic portrait of the elderly Charles Darwin, taken around 1868 by photographer Julia Margaret Cameron.

This photograph became the best-known public image of Darwin in old age.

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Sepia-toned portrait of an elderly bearded man with a bald crown, seen in left profile against a dark background. He wears a dark jacket, white collar, and dark tie, and his gaze is directed to the left.
Julia Margaret Cameron, portrait of Charles Darwin, carbon print, c. 1868.

About this source

What it is

This is a photographic portrait of Charles Darwin made by Julia Margaret Cameron around 1868, printed as a carbon print. It shows Darwin late in life, taken from life on the Isle of Vight where Cameron photographed many notable figures of her time.

Why it matters

This image became the defining public picture of Darwin as the elderly, bearded 'sage' of science, an image still widely used today to represent him. It shows how photography in the Victorian era helped shape the public image of scientists and thinkers.

Look closer

  • What impression of Darwin does this portrait create through his pose, expression and lighting?
  • Why might a photographer choose a profile view rather than a face-on shot?
  • How might this image differ from how Darwin saw himself, or how his family might have seen him?

This photograph is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Charles Darwin on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Title page of the 1859 John Murray first edition of 'On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection' by Charles Darwin. Cream paper with black serif type, London: John Murray, Albemarle Street, 1859.Book

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Printed page 45 of the 1858 Linnean Society paper 'On the Tendency of Species to form Varieties' by Darwin and Wallace, with a covering letter from Lyell and Hooker dated London, June 30th, 1858. Text is in serif type.Document

Primary source

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Title page of Charles Darwin's book 'The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex', 1871. Text reads: by Charles Darwin, M.A., F.R.S., &c.; in two volumes, Vol. I; with illustrations; London: John Murray, Albemarle Street, 1871.Book

Primary source

The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex

Charles Darwin · 1871

Title page of 'The Life and Letters of Charles Darwin, including an Autobiographical Chapter', edited by his son Francis Darwin, In Three Volumes, Vol. I, London, John Murray, Albemarle Street, 1887. All rights reserved.Book

Primary source

The Autobiography of Charles Darwin

Charles Darwin · written 1876, first published 1887

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