One of Darwin's study specimens
Darwin devoted many years to investigating the diversity of domesticated animals like pigeon. He consulted extensively with working-class pigeon fanciers, whose work and insights he respected. Darwin inherited no aristocratic titles and was not born to the peerage, but he was extremely wealthy, his assets consisting of land, major industrial investments, and the priceless social capital derived from his kinship with leaders of the industrial revolution and his schooling in elite institutions. Darwin and his scientific colleagues were gentleman scholars and naturalists, but Darwin ultimately betrayed his privileged cohort by advancing the cause of researchers from the working class and helping them become scientific professionals with solid employment opportunities Darwin also consulted experts from the working classes, such as those pigeon breeders, because he genuinely valued their observations and judgments. (British Museum of Natural History; Kensington/London; 4 June, 2016)
One of Darwin's study specimens
Darwin devoted many years to investigating the diversity of domesticated animals like pigeon. He consulted extensively with working-class pigeon fanciers, whose work and insights he respected. Darwin inherited no aristocratic titles and was not born to the peerage, but he was extremely wealthy, his assets consisting of land, major industrial investments, and the priceless social capital derived from his kinship with leaders of the industrial revolution and his schooling in elite institutions. Darwin and his scientific colleagues were gentleman scholars and naturalists, but Darwin ultimately betrayed his privileged cohort by advancing the cause of researchers from the working class and helping them become scientific professionals with solid employment opportunities Darwin also consulted experts from the working classes, such as those pigeon breeders, because he genuinely valued their observations and judgments. (British Museum of Natural History; Kensington/London; 4 June, 2016)