As an older man, his pictures reveal a thin, white-bearded, imposing-looking figure. Charles Darwin built his reputation as an outstanding scientist and collector. His life’s work was devoted to the study of nature and the development of theories that, in his time, made him the subject of controversy. Gentle, shy and ever curious, he seemed destined from childhood to enlighten those around him.

Charley Darwin was born in the right place to pursue his avid interests in nature. In England’s peaceful Shrewsbury district, with its lovely rivers and woods, he took every opportunity to be outside exploring. Being the youngest boy, with three older, hovering sisters, he was happily indulged. Even his older brother, Erasmus “Ras”, had a keen interest in nature and often joined him in dragging back various specimens found in the area. His younger sister, Emily, along with the three older ones --- Marianne, Susan and Caroline --- adored their two brothers. When their mother died, the sisters took over the job of “mothering” eight-year-old Charley --- especially the oldest, Caroline. Though loving, she was also strict in trying to discipline him in his education.

Charley’s father, a physician with a very successful practice, had great expectations for young Charles, hoping he also would go into medicine. Though Charley had excellent communication with patients and was clever with medicinal formulas, it was not the life he wanted. He had been very unhappy with his time in the Shrewsbury boarding school, and when his medical studies did not work out, his father decided he was more fit for the clergy. At Christ’s College, though, he finished his degree, still drawn to botany, hunting and specimen collecting. He did manage to take botany courses and was very influenced by the geologist/scientist Adam Sedgwick. He also had begun his fascination with insects and shells. His father indulged him, knowing he was an extremely bright young man and knowing that the blood of his grandfather, Erasmus Darwin, a renowned scientist, ran strongly in the boy’s blood. His sisters, on the other hand, were more frustrated that they could not find a perfect match for their brother.

When an opportunity came, at the age of 22, for him to take part in an exploring expedition with Captain FitzRoy of the HMS Beagle, Charley did not hesitate --- though it would involve hardship and years away from England. At first his father was not pleased, but eventually supported him with blessings and financial aid.

Three years aboard the HMS Beagle as a naturalist and companion to FitzRoy turned into five. The voyage basically took them around South America with stops at islands (such as the famous Galapagos) and inland areas along the way. Charley was often terribly ill from the effects of being seasick, and though he enjoyed all the explorations, he sometimes was overwhelmed by the hardships they endured. He sent hundreds of specimens back to England, and his father sent him hundreds of dollars. He dissected and preserved every sort of animal and bird he could shoot. His records were detailed, and the voyage turned out to be one of the most well-documented ventures thanks to his painstaking recordings.

Reading about the adventures and encounters of Charley and the crew during this time makes the reader realize what a huge undertaking all of this was. At one point, with the bodies of so many dead birds and animals piled around him, Charley actually decided he had had enough killing of living things and began to pull back in that area. He became a strong conservationist for his time. His fascination with fossils and geology helped balance this out as he concentrated on varieties of shells, rocks and bones --- all of which would be groundbreaking in his body of work.

The more he learned, the more questions he asked. Why were certain birds made with long beaks and others had short? Why did lizards within the same species have webbed feet or shorter tails or changing colors? His notes and studies, sent back to England, would be the basis for many detailed volumes that would show the natural evolvement among the species.

Though his life was privileged through the wealth of his family and influential friends, the curious, daydreaming Charley Darwin used the opportunities he had to open the eyes of the world to a new way of thinking. As in her other biographical studies, Carolyn Meyer’s appealing book is written with an eye for the fascinating details of the period. She gives readers a vivid picture of the character and life of an inquisitive boy who became one of the greatest thinkers of our time.