The Darwin Family in Cambridge: a Special City Trail

The story of Charles Darwin’s family, from his paternal grandfather to his children and grandchildren, runs through the City of Cambridge like the Granta-Cam itself. This specially-planned ‘Darwin Trail’ from Emeritus Professor Philip Stott aims to introduce you to a fascinating family history, while hopefully also providing a scientific adventure, taking in cemeteries, colleges, plaques, museums, libraries, the Botanic Garden, and other famous locations.

Fully illustrated, the talk will explain how the ‘Trail’ works, mentioning all the key Cambridge members of the Darwin family, including Charles himself, along with his famous grandfather, Erasmus; his elder brother, Erasmus Alvey; his wife, Emma; his equally-important sons, Sir George, Sir Francis, and Sir Horace, and their families, especially Charles’ granddaughters, Gwen, Margaret, and Frances. The talk will give tips on how best to follow the ‘Trail’, and will provide practical suggestions on travel and accessibility. It will also indicate materials which members may wish to follow up online.

Philip is Emeritus Professor of Biogeography in the University of London (SOAS), where he was both a Head of Department and a Dean. He now lives in Cambridge with his historian wife and near to their elder daughter, a fellow at Churchill. He is currently the Chair of the University of the Third Age in Cambridge (the U3AC). He is also a composer, with a long-time interest in Early Music, having conducted an Early Music Consort, ‘Pifaresca’, for Kent Music School. Until recently, he wrote a regular column for ‘The Countryman’ magazine. Being a biogeographer, with a deep interest in the world distribution of plants and animals, Charles Darwin has always been central to his thought, and Philip is increasingly frustrated that Cambridge still fails to offer a city-wide ‘Darwin Trail’ for its many visitors.

Note this is a talk about the Darwin family and the Trail at Ross Street Community Centre – it is not a guided walk.

This talk is open to everyone. Doors open at 7pm, the talk will start at 7:30pm, fully accessible venue. Admission by a suggested donation of £3 – note we can now take cardless payments.

You can now download the Trail PDF described in the talk.

The trail locations can be seen on Capturing Cambridge.