Report by Shuchi Giridhar
Two of naturalist Charles Darwin’s notebooks, which have been missing for the past two decades, have just recently been returned to Cambridge University Library.
One of the most important things in the notebooks is the tree of life sketch made by Charles Darwin.
A worldwide appeal for information on these books was launched by Cambridge University Librarian Dr. Jessica Gardner, about 15 months ago.
Cambridgeshire police and Interpol were in partnership.
These notebooks were first listed as missing in 2001 and were reported to be stolen. These notebooks were originally kept in a blue coloured box. This box was found inside a pink gift bag left in the library.
These books were written by Charles Darwin in the year 1837. This is just after he returned from the Galapagos Islands.
In one of these two books, Charles Darwin has sketched a spiny tree with branches, meant to represent the tree of life. This later developed his Theory of Evolution.
Emeritus professor of history and philosophy of science at Cambridge University, Jim Secord, said that the theory of evolution was one of the most important theories.
In a book by Charles Darwin, ‘On the Origin of Species’, it is mentioned that the evolution of earth was from ancient beings, like the branches of a tree.
The tree of life is used as a research tool to understand the evolution of life. It is also used to sketch the bond between both living and non-living organisms.
Other than the Tree of Life, there is also much more information in these books.
Dr Jessica Gardener says that it is elating to have the books safe and that home.
She also mentions she is just as happy as she was devastated at the loss of these books. She thought the notebooks would never be returned.