English

Many have heard about the famous naturalist Charles Darwin, who laid the foundations of the modern theory of evolution. But today, as we celebrate the bicentenary of his birth, we are not going to talk about that, but about some curiosities about his life.

1. Darwin loved to trying everything in life, including tasting new food, what led him to join the Gourmet Club at the University, where he tried all kinds of foods, including meat hawk and owl, among others.


2. His father forced him to study Medicine, but he didn't do it because he coudn't bear the sight of blood.


Robert Fitz Roy, captain of the Beagle, was about to reject him due to the shape of his nose. As he believed that the nose Darwin had was a sign of lack of determination for the voyage.

4. Four mountains in the world are called after his name, one in California, one in Tasmania, one in Antarctica, the last one in Tierra del Fuego. The latter was a gift of Fitz Roy.


5. "The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection or the Preservation of Favored Races in the Struggle for Life" was the original title of his most famous work. After its 6th edition the name was shortened to "The Origin of Species." I believe that no one could remember a name that long.


6. Quote: "The survival of the fittest" was invented by Herbert Spencer, not by Charles Darwin.



7. He married his cousin after making a list of pros and cons of marriage.


8.Darwin lost his faith when his daughter died, just at the age of ten.


9. He was a fan of Backgammon.


10. Two centuries after his birth, after he suffered the fierce attacks by the religious of the time, the Church of England (Anglican) recently made an apology to Charles Darwin' s memory for "misunderstanding".