Lincoln and Darwin: Shared Visions of Race, Science, and Religion

by James Lander

Overview

Born on the same day in 1809, Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin were true contemporaries.  Though shaped by vastly different environments, they had remarkably similar values, purposes, and approaches. In this exciting new study, James Lander places these two iconic men side by side and reveals the parallel views they shared of man and God.

While Lincoln is renowned for his oratorical prowess and for the Emancipation Proclamation, as well as many other accomplishments, his scientific and technological interests are not widely recognized; for example, many Americans do not know that Lincoln is the only U.S. president to obtain a patent. Darwin, on the other hand, is celebrated for his scientific achievements but not for his passionate commitment to the abolition of slavery, which in part drove his research in evolution. Both men took great pains to avoid causing unnecessary offense despite having abandoned traditional Christianity. Each had one main adversary who endorsed scientific racism: Lincoln had Stephen A. Douglas, and Darwin had Louis Agassiz.

With graceful and sophisticated writing, Lander expands on these commonalities and uncovers more shared connections to people, politics, and events. He traces how these two intellectual giants came to hold remarkably similar perspectives on the evils of racism, the value of science, and the uncertainties of conventional religion.

Separated by an ocean but joined in their ideas, Lincoln and Darwin acted as trailblazers, leading their societies toward greater freedom of thought and a greater acceptance of human equality. This fascinating biographical examination brings the mid-nineteenth-century discourse about race, science, and humanitarian sensibility to the forefront using the mutual interests and pursuits of these two historic figures.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780809385867
Publisher:	Southern Illinois University Press
Publication date:	09/20/2010
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	351
File size:	6 MB

About the Author

James Lander teaches history at TASIS American School in England. He is the author of Roman Stone Fortifications: Variation and Change from the First Century A.D. to the Fourth and Peter Labilliere: The Man Buried Upside Down on Box Hill.

Table of Contents

Cover Front Flap Back Flap Book Title Copyright Contents Preface Acknowledgments Introduction 1. Origins and Education 2. Voyages and the Experience of Slavery 3. The Racial Background, Personal Encounters, and Turning Points in 1837 4. Religious Reformation 5. Career Preparations and Rivals, 1845–49 6. Mortality, Invention, and Geology 7. Scientific Racism 8. The Types of Mankind and the Kansas-Nebraska Act, 1854–55 Gallery 9. The Politics of Race 10. Campaigning, 1856–58 11. Publications and Crocodiles, 1859–60 12. More Debates and New Reviews 13. Designers and Inventors 14. Inventions for a Long War 15. The Trent Affair: A Chemistry Problem 16. Delegation and Control 17. The Rationality of Colonization 18. Colonization and Emancipation 19. Societies 20. Mill Workers and Freedmen 21. Testing Hopes and Hoaxes 22. Spiritual Forces 23. Meeting Agassiz 24. The Descent of Man 25. An End to Religion 26. The Dream of Equality Notes Bibliography Index Author Bio Back Cover

Editorial Reviews

"Since such different communities of scholars have examined the book’s two subjects, there has been very little work that directly engages the shared histories and contexts of these two men. Despite these challenges, the result is quite engaging because it allows Lander to bring into focus broad questions about the relationship between individuals and their contexts as well as some specific questions about mid-nineteenth-century Western thought."—Mark Largent, History of Science Society

“A superbly sympathetic discussion of the core beliefs of two of the greatest minds of the nineteenth century, linked in their fight against the twin monsters of scientific racism and religious bigotry. In lucid prose and copious historical detail, Lander uses Darwin to shed light on Lincoln and Lincoln to shed light on Darwin. As Lander demonstrates, their humanity and intelligence shine forth even more brightly when seen in juxtaposition. A compelling book.”—Christoph Irmscher, author of The Poetics of Natural History  

“Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln had more in common than their birth on the same day. Both abhorred slavery, and their positions on race shared significant similarities. This stimulating book offers new insights on these two nineteenth-century giants whose legacy still shapes our world today.”—James M. McPherson, author of Tried by War: Abraham Lincoln as Commander in Chief

“Lincoln and Darwin is a seamless parallel examination of two great men whose complementary ideas changed the trajectory of human thought and fundamentally altered the course of history. This is an impressive book: accessible and readable, and yet so thoughtful and penetrating as to compel the reader periodically to close the cover and think about what it says.”—Jason Emerson, author of Lincoln the Inventor

From the Publisher

Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln, according to Lander (TASIS American School, England), shared more than a common date of birth, Examining their points of view on the subjects of race—and, more specifically, slavery—as well as science and religion, Lander provides an interesting parallel exploration of the intellectual development of both men. However, as the author is careful to note, this work is not a dual biography but a carefully orchestrated reflection of their views, which led "society toward greater freedom of thought" and of "a greater acceptance of human equality." Lander's book, somewhat like Adam Gopnik's Angels and Ages (2009), tries too hard at times to connect two men who never met yet have made a significant impact on modern thought, particularly with its reach to show how "scientific" Lincoln was. Despite sometimes-hearty leaps of faith, Lander reveals, quite nicely, that Lincoln's and Darwin's opinions regarding slavery, race, and religion were more similar than dissimilar. Summing Up: Recommended. General and undergraduate collections. 
—D. M. Digrius, Stevens Institute of Technology

Choice - D. M. Digrius

Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln, according to Lander (TASIS American School, England), shared more than a common date of birth, Examining their points of view on the subjects of race--and, more specifically, slavery--as well as science and religion, Lander provides an interesting parallel exploration of the intellectual development of both men. However, as the author is careful to note, this work is not a dual biography but a carefully orchestrated reflection of their views, which led "society toward greater freedom of thought" and of "a greater acceptance of human equality." Lander's book, somewhat like Adam Gopnik's Angels and Ages (2009), tries too hard at times to connect two men who never met yet have made a significant impact on modern thought, particularly with its reach to show how "scientific" Lincoln was. Despite sometimes-hearty leaps of faith, Lander reveals, quite nicely, that Lincoln's and Darwin's opinions regarding slavery, race, and religion were more similar than dissimilar. Summing Up: Recommended. General and undergraduate collections. 
--D. M. Digrius, Stevens Institute of Technology

— D. M. Digrius

Choice