Special Birthday

February 12, 1809 - a baby boy was born to a poor Kentucky farmer while across the Atlantic, a wealthy English doctor had a son. 200 years after the births of Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin, they remain two of the most recognizable figures in history. The memories of both are shrouded in myth. More the pity, as their actual stories with all their human foibles exposed are much more interesting. That task belongs to others, but here are some interesting facts:

Darwin was not hired as the Beagle's naturalist, but invited on the voyage to be the captain's dining partner. He assume the position of naturalist and was not paid. Darwin never mentions the word evolution in The Origin of Species, and it was 20 years after the voyage  before he published this work.

Lincoln is the only President to hold a patent (a devise for buoying vessels over shoals). Most people felt he won the famous Lincoln/Douglass debates, but Douglass won the election. Then, the people did not vote for senators. The state legislatures did. Senators were not universally elected by popular vote until the passage of the 17th amendment in 1913. 

Politics and science can now destroy the world; however, these two men used them to enrich us all. as ever - BB

"Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves." - Abraham Lincoln

"Ignorance more frequently begets confidence that does knowledge." - Charles Darwin