Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith

This rich, insightful portrait of Charles and Emma Darwin’s marriage explores a dimension of the naturalist’s life that has heretofore been largely ignored. 

Emma was devoutly religious while Charles’s agnosticism increased as he delved deeper into his studies of natural history, but they did not let this difference come between them. While unable to agree with Charles’s theory that essentially eliminated God from the process of creation, Emma remained open-minded and supportive, even reading drafts of The Origin of Species and suggesting improvements. Using excerpts from correspondence, diaries and journals, Heiligman portrays a relationship grounded in mutual respect. The narrative conveys a vivid sense of what life was like in Victorian England, particularly the high infant mortality rate that marred the Darwins’ happiness and the challenges Charles faced in deciding to publish his controversial theory. 

While this book does not serve as an introduction to Darwin’s life and ideas, readers wanting to know more will discover two brilliant thinkers whose marital dialectic will provide rich fodder for discussions of science and faith. (introduction, source notes, bibliography, index) (Biography. 12 & up)

In 1838 Charles Darwin, then almost thirty, drew a line down the middle of a paper and listed the reasons for marrying on one side and the reasons for not marrying on the other. After much consideration, he opted for the former, and from his prospects he wisely chose his cousin, Emma, who was open-minded but devoutly religious. She supported her husband, even editing his work, but she feared for his eternal welfare should he follow his revolutionary theories to their logical end. Charles, in turn, was equally tortured, wanting to please his wife, wanting to believe in religion, but not at the expense of science. With great empathy and humor, Heiligman’s lively narrative examines the life and legacy of Darwin through the unique lens of his domestic life, an inspired choice that helps us understand that for all the impact his theory would have on the world, nowhere did its consequences resonate so loudly as within the walls of his own home. Here is a timely, relevant book that works on several levels: as a history of science, as a biography, and, last but not least, as a romance. A bibliography, an index, and notes are appended. JONATHAN HUNT

Praise for CHARLES AND EMMA: "Allows readers not only to understand Darwin's ideas, but to appreciate how Emma's responses tempered them." —"Publishers Weekly," starred review "Heiligman has created a unique, flowing, and meticulously researched picture of the controversial scientist and the effect of his marriage on his life and work." —"School Library Journal," starred review

"Here is a timely, relevant book that works on several levels: as a history of science, as a biography, and, last but not least, as a romance." —"Horn Book," starred review

"This intersection between religion and science is where the book shines, but it is also an excellent portrait of what life was like during the Victorian era, a time when illness and death were ever present, and, in a way, a real-time example of the survival of the fittest."—"Booklist," starred review "Come for the science, stay for the love story"—"BCCB, "starred review This rich, insightful portrait of Charles and Emma Darwin's marriage explores a dimension of the naturalist's life that has heretofore been largely ignored...readers wanting to know more will discover two brilliant thinkers whose marital dialectic will provide rich fodder for discussions of science and faith."—"Kirkus Reviews" "A unique blend of romance, scientific observations, explanations of medical practices prevalent in the earlynineteenth century, and opportunities to examine scientific discoveries and religious beliefs in detail." —"VOYA "(Voice of Youth Advocates) "Great for young readers to watch scientific work as a personal project" —"Chicago Tribune""" "The conflicts between science and religion are daunting subjects, but Deborah Heligman's beautifulbook "Charles and Emma" unravels all the complexity through the lives of two remarkable people. At its heart, "Charles and Emma" is a love story—but it is amazing how much you learn by the time you finish. I enjoyed every page." —Professor Ari L. Goldman, Columbia University, author of "The Search for God at Harvard." "Not only among the very best [Darwin biographies], but it provides something new, which is quite an achievement in such a crowded field." —John Bonner, Professor Emeritus, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University "It is magnificent and will be a much loved and read book by many people." —Rosemary Grant, Senior Research Biologist, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University "I loved the book and feel strongly that it should be marketed to readers of many ages and not restricted to students." —Mary Lou Gleason, New York Academy of Sciences