Order of the Proceedings at the Darwin Celebration Held at Cambridge June 22.

celebrating darwin

First edition of the programme for the Darwin centenary celebrations held at Cambridge in June 1909. With the ownership signature of science historian George Basalla.

'On 22-24 June 1909 over 400 scientists and dignitaries from 167 different countries gathered at Cambridge to celebrate the centenary of Darwin's birth and the fiftieth anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of Species. The event was an unprecedented success - never before had such a celebration been held, not for an institution or a nation - but for an individual scientist' (Darwin Online). The events began with a reception at the Fitzwilliam Museum and included the opening of Darwin's old rooms to visitors, exhibitions of his books, geology collection, and Darwiniana (mainly lent by his children), and a garden party, banquet, and speeches. The text of this lavish programme is illustrated with portraits of Darwin and his family and friend and places where he lived, and the text includes a detailed timeline of his life.

First edition; 4to; portrait frontispiece and 11 plates, contents toned and spotted, particularly the endpapers; original white cloth-backed grey boards, titles and Cambridge crest to upper board in gilt and red, binding rubbed and a little scuffed on the lower board, corners knocked, very good condition.