Correspondence Database
In his own word, it was a “presumptuous” idea that – more than any other – opened up a long-standing rift between the sciences and religion. Now a database of Charles Darwin’s correspondence with colleagues, family and friends has made it possible to follow the evolutionist’s thinking as his ideas took shape and he agonised about the consequences of them. At the same time, the letters, which are going online, give a rich and moving portrait of Darwin as a compassionate and caring family man.