It was great start to 2017 as Erasmus Darwin House’s first Lunar Lecture saw another sell-out on Thursday 12th January.
Attendees, Friends of the House, volunteers and staff celebrated the continuing story of the Lunar Society and its legacy by kicking off the New Year with a debate on the great Darwins, Charles and Erasmus. This entertaining and engaging talk was delivered by a bona fide Darwin descendant, Christopher Darwin who has diligently researched his own family history, tracing his heritage back to the 1500s. The first known records of the Darwin family are as yeomans in Lincolnshire who on receipt of a good education, William Darwin became Recorder for Lincoln sometime in the 1600s.
Fast forward a few generations and it is touching to note that Grandson, Charles and Grandfather, Erasmus never met, although the work of the latter had clearly influenced theories of the former.
A lively Q + A was also encouraged highlighting successes and failures of both great thinkers (the term scientist was not in usage in the 18th Century) – although we know which of the two was the greatest here in Lichfield…
For more information on our lectures and events held on the night of the full moon please visit: https://www.erasmusdarwin.org/events/category/lunar-society-events/
