Darwin鈥檚 Mentor by S. M. Walters and E. A. Stow, Cambridge University Press,
拢40, ISBN 0521591465
DARWIN is such a towering figure in Victorian science that it is easy to
overlook contemporary notables. The mentor of Darwin鈥檚 Mentor was John Stevens
Henslow, remembered mainly as the founder of the Botanic Garden in Cambridge.
Though consumed with ambition to travel abroad as a young man, he was powerfully
dissuaded from such a course by his family and remained to lead an academic life
as professor of botany in the university.
Henslow was hardly a dashing figure鈥攈e is perhaps best described as a
quietly remarkable man. However, his recommendation in 1831 that Darwin, his
pupil, should accompany the voyage of the Beagle proved unimaginably
momentous.
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A quotation at the beginning of this biography鈥攆rom a letter of
Darwin鈥檚 to botanist Joseph Hooker鈥攎ight put off the reader. Darwin was
dubious about a previous plan for a biography of Henslow. 鈥淭he equability and
perfection of Henslow鈥檚 whole character, I should think would make it very
difficult for anyone to pourtray him.鈥� Don鈥檛 shun the book on that account. It
is a satisfying read for anyone interested in the burgeoning and sometimes
passionate history of science in the 19th century, larded with glimpses of
Victorian social life and colourful characters.