The historian of science and Harvard University professor Janet Browne has remarked upon the significance of this activity of Darwin’s: “In keeping such copious records, he learned to write easily about nature and about himself. Like FitzRoy, he taught himself to look closely at his surroundings, to make notes and measurements, and to run through a mental checklist of features that ought to be recorded, never relying entirely on memory and always writing reports soon after the event.” She adds, “Although this was an ordinary practice in naval affairs, it was for Darwin a basic lesson in
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