Edinburgh Celebrates Darwin

2009 marked the bicentenary of Charles Darwin's birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of 'On the Origin of Species'.

We hosted a year of lectures, exhibitions and activities to celebrate the bicentenary.

The series showcased the vast benefits that his discovery has contributed to scientific knowledge and the advancement of humanity.

Darwin in Edinburgh

Charles Darwin was an undergraduate at the University’s Medical School from 1825 to 1827.

Although he failed to pursue a medical career, his encounters with teachers, academics and curators in and around the University formed the basis of his brilliant later explorations.

Watch online

Watch Aubrey Manning's public lecture, which explored the relationship between Darwin and Edinburgh, the city where Darwin spent two of his most formative years.