My Father, Charles Darwin, Wasn't Anti-Religion—Just Ask the Catholic Church

This true story is brought to you by Frontier Road Podcast. Francis Darwin, the third son of Charles Darwin, followed in his father's footsteps as a botanist. He worked closely with Charles on experiments related to plant movements. In 1887, Francis edited The Life and Letters of Charles Darwin, a biography that provided an intimate look into his father’s life and included previously unpublished personal letters. The book was later described by The Times as "one of the best biographies ever written," noting that “In the selection and arrangement of the material, Francis Darwin was chiefly guided by a wish to portray his father's personal character. He succeeded remarkably in giving a true picture of the man, the student, the methods of Darwin's work, and the gradual development of his opinions." This podcast revisits some of the questions about Darwin, exploring the misconceptions that have persisted—like the idea that he was "anti-religion," a "satanist," or other exaggerations we might have heard in Sunday school. Citations: Catholic World. United States, Paulist Fathers, 1873.