Down House: the Home of Charles Darwin

by Tori Reeve

Charles Darwin lived for 40 years at Down House in rural Kent, until his death in 1882. Here, in the home that he lovingly created with his wife and family, he developed a scientific theory that would rock the world. This beautifully illustrated guidebook takes the visitor on a tour of the house and the gardens that Darwin used as his open-air laboratory. The fascinating history of the Darwins at Down includes sumptuous photographs, historic images and eyewitness accounts.

Genres: History

52 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a guide book to Down House, the home of Charles and Emma Darwin in Downe, Kent. The book makes a nice souvenir with good photos, architectural drawings, paintings and other illustrations. While summarizing much of the information from the audio tour, which comes with the entry ticket to the house, the guide adds details of the family and times which make the book a nice addition to a visit to the house and other books on Darwin's life. The guide focuses on the house and grounds providing details to its history, development, furnishings, use, and reconstruction. Reeve presents this information within the context of the Darwin family life and Darwin's professional work which really fleshes out the man Charles Darwin. Highly recommended with the entry ticket.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, informative and inspiring, just like the man himself and his stunning home. A must go-to and a must-read.

[Bodil · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good guide both to Charles Darwin himself, his life and work, as well as to Down House and garden. Could have done with a more thorough revision, but well worth getting and reading. Actually so even if you don’t have the chance to visit Down House!

[maya · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is going to be useful for my research project on Charles Darwin. Very informative and helpful!

[Bert Huisman]

5

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a guide book I really enjoyed how much I learned about the Darwin and Wedgwood families, their children and how the house was ultimately utilised by Charles Darwin until early in the twentieth century when it became a school.

There were also some lovely illustrations and photographs.

I did occasionally feel a little patronised by the text but thankfully this was only a small amount.

[Steve Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essentially this is a guide book for Darwin's former home published by English Heritage. That makes it essential reading for those of us that love science and want to visit the museum dedicated to the man that wrote one of the most important books of all time.