Darwin collection posted online

The private papers of Charles Darwin, one of the most important scientists in history, can now be accessed online free of charge.

The Darwin Online website has made correspondence and manuscripts including the first draft of his theory of evolution and Emma Darwin's recipe book.

You can also find notes from the voyage of the Beagle on the site among the 20,000 items that have been posted.

It is the first time the collection has been made freely available to anyone outside scholars at the Cambridge University library.

Darwin's theory of evolution turned the scientific world on its head and angered many within the church when it was first expounded in the 1850s.

Darwin died on 19 April 1882, making Saturday the 136th anniversary of his death, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.

http://darwin-online.org.uk