The Autobiography of Charles Darwin

Name: The Autobiography of Charles Darwin
Author: Charles Darwin

The work chronicles the author's early life, detailing his education and formative experiences that shaped his scientific pursuits. Initially pressured by his father to pursue a career in medicine or the clergy, he ultimately found his passion in natural history. His time at Edinburgh and Cambridge is marked by a lack of enthusiasm for traditional academic subjects, particularly mathematics and classics, yet he developed a keen interest in botany and entomology, largely influenced by Professor Henslow. The author describes his friendships with various intellectuals and his enjoyment of collecting beetles, which ignited his curiosity about the natural world. He reflects on the joy of field excursions and the thrill of scientific discovery, emphasizing the importance of observation in understanding geology and natural phenomena. Despite distractions from social activities and sports, he acknowledges the significant impact of his studies and relationships on his intellectual development. The narrative reveals a gradual awakening to the principles of natural science, culminating in a desire to contribute to the field. The author's experiences at university, coupled with his interactions with mentors and peers, laid the groundwork for his future endeavors in scientific exploration and inquiry.

By Charles Darwin · First published 1887 · Genre: Autobiography, Nonfiction, Vocational literature · 7 chapters · 19,456 words

First lines

After having spent two sessions in Edinburgh, my father perceived, or he heard from my sisters, that I did not like the thought of being a physician, so he proposed that I should become a clergyman. He was very properly vehement against my turning into an idle sporting man, which then seemed my probable destination. I asked for some time to consider, as from what little I had heard or thought on the subject I had scruples about declaring my belief in all the dogmas of the Church of England; though otherwise I liked the thought of being a country clergyman. Accordingly I read with care ‘Pearson on the Creed,' and a few other books on divinity; and as I did not then in the least doubt the strict and literal truth of every word in the Bible, I soon persuaded myself that our Creed must be fully accepted.

What this Textopian page supports

The Autobiography of Charles Darwin is listed on Textopian as an essay by Charles Darwin, dated 1887 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Essay
Author: Charles Darwin
Date: 1887 CE
Language: English
Genres: Autobiography, Nonfiction, Vocational literature, Historical literature, Biological literature
Length: 19,456 words
Structure: 7 chapters, 155 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Genres

Autobiography — The book is written by Charles Darwin about his own life, which classifies it as an autobiography.
Nonfiction — The book chronicles real-life events and experiences, making it a work of nonfiction.
Vocational literature — The book reports on Charles Darwin's career as a naturalist scientist, making it fall in the category of vocational literature.
Historical literature — The book covers historical events and figures, placing it in the historical literature genre.