Robert FitzRoy

Vice Admiral Robert FitzRoy (July 5, 1805 - April 30, 1865) achieved lasting fame as the captain of HMS Beagle and as a pioneering meteorologist who invented weather forecasts, also proving an able surveyor and hydrographer as well as Governor of New Zealand.

The Origin of Species

When The Origin of Species was published FitzRoy apparently felt betrayed, and guilty for his part in the theory's development. Unfortunately he was in Oxford on 30 June 1860 to present a paper on Storms and attended the meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science at which 'Soapy Sam' Wilberforce attacked Darwin's theory. During the debate FitzRoy, seen as "a grey haired Roman nosed elderly gentleman", stood in the centre of the audience and "lifting an immense Bible first with both and afterwards with one hand over his head, solemnly implored the audience to believe God rather than man". As he admitted that The Origin of Species had given him "acutest pain" the crowd shouted him down.

Related Topics:
The Origin of Species - Oxford - 30 June - 1860 - British Association for the Advancement of Science - 'Soapy Sam' Wilberforce

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He retired in 1863, by then promoted by seniority to Vice Admiral. He suffered from depression and died by suicide two years later, using a razor in a sad echo of his uncle. He is buried in the graveyard of All Saints' Church, Upper Norwood, south London.

Related Topics:
1863 - Depression - Suicide - Razor - Upper Norwood - South London

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