Cambridge University is launching a botany course inspired by the one that shaped Charles Darwin, after uncovering rare teaching materials from his mentor, John Stevens Henslow. The fragile specimens, ink drawings and watercolour illustrations, stored for nearly 200 years in the university's herbarium, will be used to teach contemporary students.
Henslow, a clergyman and natural theologian, created the materials for his botany course starting in 1827. Darwin attended the course in 1828, taking it three years in a row. Dr Raphaella Hull, acting head of learning at Cambridge University Botanic Garden, said: 'Henslow introduced him to the concept of variation, laying the foundation for Darwin's later theory of evolution.'
The four-week summer course, run by the botanic garden, will use Henslow's original materials and hands-on techniques, including field excursions to habitats Darwin visited in the Cambridgeshire fens. Prof Sam Brockington, curator of the botanic garden, noted that botany has 'all but disappeared as a stand-alone undergraduate degree in the UK,' creating a gap in plant science training.
The course is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students, researchers and professionals in ecology, horticulture and conservation. Brockington added: 'When we compared our ideal programme with Henslow's curriculum, the overlap was remarkable. We are reviving the spirit of Henslow himself.'
