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Primary sourceBookwritten 1876, first published 1887

The Autobiography of Charles Darwin

Charles Darwin · written 1876, first published 1887

Darwin's private memoir, written for his family, recalling his education, the Beagle voyage, and his gradual loss of religious faith.

Darwin's own private recollections of his life, family, education and scientific voyage, written for his children.

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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.
Title page of The Life and Letters of Charles Darwin, including an Autobiographical Chapter, London, John Murray, 1887.

About this source

What it is

Charles Darwin wrote this memoir, originally titled 'Recollections of the Development of my Mind and Character', for his own family starting in 1876. It was first published in 1887, five years after his death, as part of The Life and Letters of Charles Darwin, edited by his son Francis Darwin.

Why it matters

Francis Darwin removed passages critical of God and Christianity when he first published the text. It was not until 1958 that Darwin's granddaughter, Nora Barlow, restored these omitted sections in a new edition. This shows how a family can shape how a historical figure is remembered, and how later generations can recover a fuller, more honest record.

Look closer

  • Why might Darwin's son have removed parts of his father's writing?
  • What does it mean that a true 'autobiography' was edited by someone else before the public ever saw it?
  • How might reading the restored version change our understanding of Darwin compared with the 1887 version?

This book 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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Charles Darwin by Julia Margaret Cameron

Julia Margaret Cameron · c. 1868

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

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