Mr. Darwin invites you to join him in his study at Down House near the small village of Downe in Kent, England, 16 miles south of London in the late afternoon of a day in October 1881 to chat about his life and works.
The information presented in this play is factual, drawn from known facts about Darwin and his life, his personal correspondence, and largely from his own autobiography which was published after his death by his son Francis. In only a few instances has the author/actor been guilty of poetic license. The play is organized chronologically beginning with Darwin’s early life and
his historic voyage around the world on the H.M.S. Beagle as “gentlemen’s companion” to the captain, Robert FitzRoy, and also as the ship’s naturalist. Darwin then recalls his life following his return to England, including his marriage to Emma Wedgewood and events leading up to the publication of The Origin of Species in 1859 and the subsequent controversy.
The play is 75 minutes in length with no intermission. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and interact with Mr. Darwin.
Dr. Flloyd Sandford is retired from teaching at Coe College. Professor of Biology, 1986 Ph.D.,1971 University of Oklahoma. On sabbatical in 1999, Sandford visited Down House where Darwin and his family lived for over 40 years. There, he tried to retrace many of Darwin’s favorite walks in the surrounding countryside. His research culminated in the writing of a play “Darwin Remembers — Recollections of a Life’s Voyage” about the life and work of the great biologist. The play, a living history re-enactment for one actor, was performed several times at Coe College and other venues in Easter Iowa in 2000, with funding assistance from Humanities Iowa and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Sandford periodically takes the play “On the road” performing at colleges and universities throughout the U.S. The Natural History Society of Maryland is so very excited to welcome Dr. Sandford/Darwin to Maryland.
NOTE: Spaces are limited. Cancellations will incur a $5 processing fee if done more than a week in advance of performance. Refunds are forfeited within a week of performance.
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