On March 9, 2022, a bright pink gift bag appeared outside an office at the Cambridge University Library with a simple note:
Librarian
Happy Easter
X.
Inside were two missing notebooks that belonged to Charles Darwin, one of which contained the original sketch of Darwin’s “tree of life” sketch Fifteen months earlier, University Librarian Dr. Jessica Gardner had launched a global appeal to recover the notebooks, which went missing in 2000.
Though the Library understandably wants to keep the notebooks close to home for the time being, their contents, including the iconic tree of life drawing, feature as part of two exhibitions at the New York Public Library.
A partnership between the Cambridge University Library and the New York Public Library brings Charles Darwin: A Life in Letters and Charles Darwin: Off the Page to the Stephen A. Schwartzman Building. The two exhibitions, on display through August 5, 2023, explore the life of the celebrated scientist through his correspondence.
New York-based Cantabs were invited to celebrate the exhibit opening with an exclusive preview on Thursday, May 4. University Librarian Dr. Jessica Gardner invited guests to imagine Darwin, surrounded by books in the Beagle’s library, writing home from his long voyage of scientific exploration and discovery.
Guests were invited to explore the exhibits Charles Darwin: A Life in Letters, which displays some of Darwin’s original correspondence and artifacts related to his discoveries, and Charles Darwin: Off the Page, which brings some of Darwin’s correspondents to life in vivid photographs.
Don’t miss this fascinating look into the life and one of the world’s most influential scientists. The exhibitions are free and open to the public at the New York Public Library’s Stephen A. Schwartzman Building.