The Autobiography of Charles Darwin is the
autobiography of the
British naturalist
Charles Darwin which was published in 1887, five years after his death.
Darwin wrote the book, which he entitled
Recollections of the Development of my Mind and Character, for
his family. He states that he started writing it on about May 28, 1876 and had finished it by August 3.
The book was edited by Charles Darwin's son
Francis Darwin, who removed several passages about Darwin's critical views of
God and
Christianity (see
Charles Darwin's views on religion). It was published in London by
John Murray as part of
The life and letters of Charles Darwin, including an autobiographical chapter.
The omitted passages were later restored by Darwin's granddaughter
Nora Barlow in a 1958 edition to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the publication of
The Origin. This edition was published in London by Collins under the title of
The Autobiography of Charles Darwin 1809-1882. With the original omissions restored. Edited and with appendix and notes by his granddaughter Nora Barlow. For a contemporary review by
R.A. Fisher see
The original is in the
public domain as its
copyright has expired, but the later version remains under copyright. Both are available online at Darwin Online.
References
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- Darwin, C.R. (ed by Barlow, N) ;The Autobiography of Charles Darwin ISBN 0-393-31069-8 (1993 paperback edition)
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