DARWIN, Charles.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

Framed portrait photograph. A prime example of Darwin's personal iconography as an elder statesman of science. This photograph is taken from Lock & Whitfield's Men of Mark series - a portrait gallery of prominent Victorian individuals - and refashioned for open display.By 1878, the 69-year-old's fame was widespread. Despite his increasing retirement at Down House, many continued to seek him out, including Gladstone in 1877. As his son Francis recalled, "He did not realise that people would know him from his photograph, and I remember him at the Crystal Palace aquarium saying in uneasy voice that somebody had been looking at him & he supposed he must have been recognized" (Van Whye).Men of Mark was issued in monthly parts, comprising three portrait plates and biographical notices for 1s 6d. Darwin appeared in part 36 in December 1878. This image was later used as the frontispiece to the third edition in French of the Descent of Man.

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