Image: Joseph Wright (1734-1797), Portrait of Erasmus Darwin (1792). Oil on Canvas. Wolverhampton Art Gallery

Text: Olga Baird

Summary

Darwin’s Commonplace Book is a remarkable source for the history of scientific speculation in the 18th century. It reveals the imagination and creativity of Erasmus Darwin (1731-1802) and the ways in which he contributed to the sharing of ideas which characterised the Lunar Society. Darwin never patented his inventions and allowed others to use and transform his ideas into innovations. The book covers the years from 1776 until 1787 when Darwin lived in Lichfield, Radburn Hall in Derbyshire and Derby.

The exhibition has been written by Olga Baird and provides a selection from a number of Darwin’s drawings contained within the Commonplace Book. Some display his interest in practical solutions to economic and domestic challenges, such as the canal lift, garden plough, automatic water closet and stocking frame. Others, for example, the rocket motor and steam wheel reveal Darwin producing designs that were translated into reality long after his death.

The Revolutionary Players Project is grateful to English Heritage for permission to photograph the Commonplace Book and to Erasmus Darwin House, Lichfield for allowing access to the volume.

Sections: [click on the images on the right to access each section]

1. The Scope and nature of Darwin’s Commonplace Book
2. Artificial bird 3392
3. Bigrapher 3400
4. Canal lift 3409
5. Divingbell 3416
6. Polygrapher 3418
7. Electrical doubler 3424
8. Rocket motor 3428
9. Steam-wheel 3438
10. Steam-wheel 3440
11. Telescopic candlestick 3441
12. Garden plough 3445
13. Automatic water closet 3447
14. Stocking frame 3451
15. Machine for sewing silk and mohair 3464
16. Wooden Bridge 3500
17. Oil lamp 3514

Sources and further reading:

King-Hele, D, Erasmus Darwin (1962).
King-Hele, D, Doctor of Revolution: The Life and Genius of Erasmus Darwin (1977).
King-Hele, D, Erasmus Darwin: A Life of Unequalled Achievement (1999).
McNeil, M, Under the Banner of Science: Erasmus Darwin and his Age (1987).