George Darwin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Darwin
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Sir George Howard Darwin
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George Howard Darwin
9 July 1845 Down House, Downe, Kent, England
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| Died | 7 December 1912 (aged 67) Cambridge, England
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| Alma mater | St John's College, Cambridge Trinity College, Cambridge |
| Awards | Smith's Prize (1868) Royal Medal (1884) Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society (1892) Copley Medal (1911) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Astronomy and mathematics |
| Academic advisors | Edward John Routh |
| Notable students | Ernest William Brown E. T. Whittaker |
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Sir George Howard Darwin (born July 9, 1845 – died December 7, 1912) was an English scientist. He was a lawyer and an astronomer. He was the second son of the famous scientist Charles Darwin and Emma Darwin.
About George Darwin
George H. Darwin was born at Down House in Kent, England. He was the fifth child of the well-known biologist Charles Darwin.
When he was 11, he went to Clapham Grammar School. Later, in 1863, he started studying at St John's College, Cambridge. He soon moved to Trinity College. There, his teacher was Edward John Routh.
George Darwin finished his studies in 1868. He was the second best student in his class for mathematics. He also won a special award called the Smith's Prize. In 1871, he earned his Master of Arts degree. He became a lawyer in 1872 but soon decided to focus on science instead.
He also studied how family relationships might affect health. His father, Charles Darwin, was worried about his own family's health. George's research helped to ease his father's concerns.
Exploring the Moon and Earth
Even though his father, Charles Darwin, was a famous biologist, George Darwin chose to study geology. This is the study of Earth's physical structure and history. His work in geology led him to some very interesting ideas.
One of his main ideas was about how the Moon was formed. He thought that long ago, the Earth spun very fast. He believed that a piece of the Earth might have broken off because of this fast spinning. This piece then became our Moon.
This idea was called the Fission Theory. George Darwin proposed it in 1879. It was a different idea from what many scientists believe today. Today, many think the Moon formed from a giant collision.
In 1879, George Darwin became a member of The Royal Society. This is a very old and respected scientific group. He won their Royal Medal in 1884 and the Copley Medal in 1911.
In 1883, he became a professor at the University of Cambridge. He was the Plumian Professor of Astronomy and Experimental Philosophy. He studied how the Sun, Moon, and Earth pull on each other. These pulls are called tidal forces.
Darwin was also a member of the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS). He won their Gold Medal in 1892. From 1899 to 1901, he was the President of the RAS. The RAS later created a special award called the George Darwin Lectureship in his honor.
He was invited to speak at a big meeting for mathematicians in Rome in 1908. He talked about "Mechanics, Physical Mathematics, Astronomy." The Darwin crater on Mars is named after him.
Family Life
George Darwin married Martha (Maud) du Puy in 1884. She was from Philadelphia in the United States. Maud was part of a group called the Ladies Dining Society in Cambridge.
George and Maud had five children:
- Gwen Raverat (1885–1957), who became an artist.
- Sir Charles Galton Darwin (1887–1962), who became a physicist and mathematician.
- Margaret Elizabeth Darwin (1890–1974).
- William Robert Darwin (1894–1970).
- Leonard Darwin (1899–1899).
In 1885, George and Maud Darwin bought a house called Newnham Grange in Cambridge. They made many changes to the house. Since 1962, this house has been part of Darwin College, Cambridge.
George Darwin is buried in Trumpington Extension Cemetery in Cambridge. His son Leonard and daughter Gwen are also buried there. His wife, Lady Maud Darwin, was cremated. His brothers, Sir Francis Darwin and Sir Horace Darwin, are buried in a different cemetery nearby.
Images for kids
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Sir George Howard Darwin, a painting by Mark Gertler, 1912.
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George Darwin around 1908, drawn by his daughter Gwen Raverat.
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Lady George Darwin, a pastel drawing by Cecilia Beaux, 1889.
See also
In Spanish: George Darwin para niños
