Printer-friendly version Share:  Share this page on FacebookShare this page on TwitterShare this page by emailShare this page with other services

Sir Joseph Hooker

1817-1911 Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker - Photo from Project Gutenberg - Public Domain
  • Hooker is noted for his encouragement of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. He, along with Sir Charles Lyell, induced Darwin to make public his views on the origin of species (1858) after A.R. Wallace had communicated similar ideas. Hooker traveled the world on botanical expeditions.
  • On September 1, 1893, Muir wrote to his wife Louie from London about his visit with the great botanist: "Yesterday afternoon I went to the home of Sir Joseph Hooker at Sunningdale with him and his family. . . . Sir Joseph and his lady were very cordial. They have a charming country residence, far wilder and more retired than ours, though within twenty-five miles of London. We had a long delightful talk last evening on science and scientific men, and this forenoon and afternoon long walks and talks through the grounds and over the adjacent hills. Altogether this has been far the most interesting day I have had since leaving home. I never knew before that Sir Joseph had accompanied Ross in his famous Antarctic expedition as naturalist. He showed me a large number of sketches he made of the great ice-cap, etc., and gave me many facts concerning that little known end of the world entirely new to me. Long talks, too, about Huxley, Tyndall, Darwin, Sir Charles Lyell, Asa Gray, etc. My, what a time we had! I never before knew either that he had received the Copley Medal, the highest scientific honor in the world."



Home | Alphabetical Index | What's New & About this Site  


Sierra Club® and "Explore, enjoy and protect the planet"® are registered trademarks of the Sierra Club. © 2024 Sierra Club.
The Sierra Club Seal is a registered copyright, service mark, and trademark of the Sierra Club.