Charles Darwin (1809-1882) and Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)

Beginning of article

Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln were both born on February 12, 1809, a fact one never forgets for its poignancy. At the time of their birth, Lincoln and Darwin were physically half a world apart and the fortunes of their families could hardly have been more unequal.

Darwin was born in Shrewsbury, England (and would later remark that he was"born a naturalist"). His father was a successful physician and investor, thus Charles was able to pursue his interests without financial concerns. As a result he attended both the University of Edinburgh and Cambridge University, where he graduated as an Anglican cleric in 1831. Later in the same year he was invited to take the position …