Charles and Emma: the Darwins’ Leap of Faith

You know Charles Darwin the scientist…but Charles Darwin the romantic?

Charles Darwin was an educated man, who loved science and rational thinking. In fact, in order to help him decide if he should marry—not anyone in particular, simply if he should pursue the option—he made a list of reasons to marry and reasons against. That list is one of the many fascinating original documents Heiligman includes in the book. The reasons for marriage outnumber the reasons against, so he begins to be aware of marriageable young ladies in his acquaintance. After spending many visits at his uncle’s home, Charles begins to have feelings for his cousin Emma. They are like minded in many ways save one. Emma lost her dearly beloved sister in early adulthood, and because of her death, Emma was very concerned with someday being reunited with her. Charles, meanwhile, was very skeptical of religion. As a man of science, he needed proof, and it is near impossible to prove the existence of heaven. How these two made a marriage and raised seven children is a wonderful story of compromise, trust and love.