Francis Darwin

Date of Birth: 16 August 1848

Zodiac Sign: Unknown

Date of Death: 19 September 1925

Biography

Francis Darwin (1848-1925) was an eminent English botanist and the third son of the renowned naturalist Charles Darwin. Born in Down House, Kent, Francis followed in his father’s scientific footsteps, making significant contributions to the field of botany. He was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he initially studied medicine but later shifted his focus to botany. Francis is best known for his work on plant physiology and his pioneering studies on plant movement and phototropism. He worked closely with his father on several botanical experiments and later published numerous scientific papers and books. Francis was also elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1882 and served as its Vice-President from 1904 to 1909. He was knighted in 1913 for his contributions to science.

5 Interesting Facts about Francis Darwin

1. Francis Darwin collaborated with his father, Charles Darwin, on the book “The Power of Movement in Plants.”

2. He was instrumental in the development of the Darwinian theory of evolution as it applied to plants.

3. Francis Darwin served as the President of the British Association for the Advancement of Science in 1908.

4. He was knighted in 1913 for his contributions to the field of botany.

5. Francis Darwin was one of the first scientists to study the effects of light and gravity on plant growth, pioneering the field of plant physiology.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Francis Darwin

1. “In science, credit goes to the man who convinces the world, not to the man to whom the idea first occurs.”

2. “The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.”

3. “A scientific man ought to have no wishes, no affections, – a mere heart of stone.”

4. “The highest possible stage in moral culture is when we recognize that we ought to control our thoughts.”

5. “Nothing is easier than to admit in words the truth of the universal struggle for life, or more difficult — at least I have found it so — than constantly to bear this conclusion in mind.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Francis Darwin’s highest net worth was not documented in historical records. However, his contributions to science and his affiliation with the Darwin family suggest that he was well-respected and comfortably well-off.

Children

Francis Darwin married three times and had one daughter, Frances Cornford (born Frances Darwin), with his first wife, Amy Ruck. Frances Cornford became a notable English poet.