{"id":15595,"date":"2012-12-12T15:59:44","date_gmt":"2012-12-12T15:59:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/communicatescience.com\/zoonomian\/?p=15595"},"modified":"2017-08-07T23:11:08","modified_gmt":"2017-08-07T22:11:08","slug":"erasmus-darwins-birthday-12th-december-1731","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/communicatescience.com\/zoonomian\/2012\/12\/12\/erasmus-darwins-birthday-12th-december-1731\/","title":{"rendered":"Erasmus Darwin’s Birthday 12th December 1731"},"content":{"rendered":"

We shouldn’t let the day pass without a thought for Erasmus Darwin, whose birthday it is today.<\/p>\n

\"Erasmus<\/a>
Erasmus Darwin by Joseph Wright of Derby 1792 (WikiCommons)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Erasmus was born on 12th December 1731, at Elston Hall in Nottinghamshire.<\/p>\n

During his seventy year span, Charles’s illustrious grandfather made more and varied contributions to the world of ideas than many today would guess – if they’ve even heard of him.<\/p>\n

Erasmus is also of course the spirit behind Zoonomian; here are a couple of earlier posts that sum up his achievements and involvements:<\/p>\n

The Other Darwin Genius <\/a><\/p>\n

Unweaving the Waterfall – Erasmus Darwin at Vauxhall Gardens<\/a>  (per my  talk<\/a> at the Foundling Museum in June)<\/p>\n

\"Erasmus<\/a>
Erasmus Darwin House in Litchfield (Photo:Tim Jones)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Erasmus set up his medical practice in Litchfield, where he lived from 1756 to 1781.  His house, now the Erasmus Darwin House Museum<\/a>, is close to the magnificent cathedral, and well worth a visit.  (Samuel Johnson also lived in Litchfield, so you can visit his house while you’re there.)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Litchfield Cathedral (Photo: Tim Jones)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Erasmus spent the last two years of his life at Breadsall Priory, where he died on April 18th 1802, aged 70.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Breadsall Priory, where Erasmus Darwin died in 1802 (Photo permission S.Klinge)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To round off, here are three excellent and recent videos on Erasmus courtesy of History West Midlands:<\/p>\n

 
\nErasmus Darwin at The Heart of The Litchfield Enlightenment
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