Darwin College, Cambridge Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Darwin College

Darwin College's buildings as seen from the River Cam.

University

University of Cambridge

Location

Silver Street

Coordinates

52°12′02″N 0°06′49″E / 52.2006°N 0.1137°E

Abbreviation

DAR

Founders

Established

1964

Named after

The Darwin Family

Sister college

Wolfson College, Oxford

Master

Mike Rands

Undergraduates

None

Postgraduates

750 (2022-23)

Map

Location in Central Cambridge

Darwin College is one of the colleges that make up the famous University of Cambridge in England. It was founded on July 28, 1964. Darwin College was special because it was the first college at Cambridge just for graduate students. Graduate students are those who have already finished their first university degree. It was also the first college to accept both men and women from the start.

The college is named after the family of the famous scientist Charles Darwin. His family used to own some of the land and buildings that are now part of the college.

Today, Darwin College has between 650 and 800 students. Most are studying for advanced degrees like PhDs. It is the largest graduate college at Cambridge. Its sister college at the University of Oxford is Wolfson College.

People who are members of the college are called Darwinians. Some famous Darwinians include the scientist Jane Goodall, who studies primates, and Elizabeth Blackburn, who won a Nobel Prize.

History of the College
- The Darwin Family Connection
Buildings and Gardens
Student Life at Darwin
- The Darwin Lecture Series
- Fun and Sports
Famous People from Darwin College
- Nobel Prize Winners
- Other Notable People
See also

History of the College

The main building of Darwin College.

The college library, seen from the millpond.

After World War II, more and more students came to Cambridge for postgraduate studies. This meant they needed a special college just for them. In 1963, three older Cambridge colleges—Trinity, St John's, and Gonville & Caius—decided to create a new graduate college together.

They established Darwin College in 1964. It is located on the banks of the River Cam. In 1976, it officially became an independent college of the university.

The Darwin Family Connection

The college is named for the Darwin family because Charles Darwin's son, George Darwin, once owned the property. In 1885, he bought a house called Newnham Grange, which is now the oldest part of the college.

When George's son, Sir Charles Galton Darwin, passed away in 1962, the property became available. The Darwin family liked the idea of their home becoming a new college. They even agreed to have it named after their family. Today, you can see portraits of the Darwin family hanging in the college's main rooms.

Buildings and Gardens

The college entrance on Silver Street.

The main courtyard of Darwin College.

Darwin College is known for its beautiful old buildings and lovely gardens next to the River Cam. The college site is connected by the Darwin College Bridges, which cross over to two small islands that are also part of the college grounds.

Over the years, the college has added more buildings. In 1966, it bought a house called the Hermitage. Later, in 1994, a new library and study center were built. This modern building was designed to be eco-friendly, using natural ways to keep the air fresh.

In 2004, the college bought the Malting House, a historic building that now houses students. Its name comes from its original use. In the 1920s, it was home to a school with new and creative ideas about education.

Student Life at Darwin

The Dining Hall at Darwin College decorated for Christmas.

Newnham Grange, where Charles Darwin's granddaughter grew up.

Life at Darwin College is busy and exciting. Students at the college are automatically members of the Darwin College Student Association (DCSA). This group organizes fun events and parties for everyone.

The Darwin Lecture Series

One of the biggest events of the year is the Darwin Lecture Series. This is a series of eight talks on a single theme, like "Power." The speakers are experts from all over the world who share their knowledge. These popular lectures have been happening for over 25 years. You can even watch recent lectures online for free.

Fun and Sports

The college has a library that is open 24 hours a day. It also has its own boats, called punts, which students can use on the river.

For sports fans, the Darwin College Boat Club is very popular. There is also a football club that plays against other Cambridge colleges.

The college holds special dinners called "formal halls" where students and teachers can eat together. It also hosts a big party called a May Ball at the end of the school year. In 2023, Darwin College was the first Cambridge college to have a May Ball with only plant-based food.

Famous People from Darwin College

Many well-known people have studied at Darwin College. They have become successful scientists, lawyers, politicians, and artists.

Nobel Prize Winners

Elizabeth Blackburn received the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2009. She studied for her PhD at Darwin.
Eric Maskin received the Nobel Prize in Economics in 2007. He was a visiting student at the college.
César Milstein received the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1984. He was a Fellow (a senior member) of the college.
Richard Henderson received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2017. He has been a Fellow since 1981.

Other Notable People

Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey were famous conservationists who studied animal behavior.
Sir Ian Wilmut was the scientist who led the team that cloned Dolly the sheep, the first mammal cloned from an adult cell.
Paul Kalanithi was a neurosurgeon whose book about his life was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.
Seamus O'Regan is a Canadian politician who has served as a cabinet minister.
Huw Price is a famous philosopher who studied at Darwin.