Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin was an English naturalist who realised that all
species of life evolved over time from common ancestors and
published compelling supporting evidence of this in his 1859 book
'On the Origin of Species'. In this book he presented his
scientific theory that this branching pattern of evolution resulted
from a process that he called natural selection.
Charles Darwins' connection with Worcestershire relates back to
when Great Malvern was an the forefront of medicinal healing during
the Malvern Water Cure. Darwin stayed at The Lodge on
Worcester Road and took daily water cure treatments at Dr Gully's
hydrotherapy facility. This therapy involved cold showers, wet
wraps, steam baths, strict diets and long walks in the countryside
intended to stimulate the circulation and drive out toxins from the
blood and organs. Darwins eldest daughter Annie was also
taken for treatment in Malvern in 1851 but died aged 10 after
suffering a fever. Annie is buried in Great Malvern
Priory.
2009 saw the release of the film 'Creation', a part true
and part fictitious account of Charles Darwins' relationship with
his eldest daughter Annie in the midst of their struggle through
the writing of and decision to publish 'On the Origin of
Species'.
