Emma Darwin Rank
About Emma Darwin
Charles Darwin's wife and the daughter of Josiah Wedgewood II, Emma Darwin was an English poet and devout Christian.
Family and Background
She is the youngest of eight children and Charles Darwin's first cousin. She was the favorite in her family, earning the nicknames "Miss Slip Slop" and "Miss Pepper and Salt" alongside her sister and best friend Fanny. She was sent to Paris as a child to study piano with the lauded Polish composer Frédéric Chopin and to conduct a grand tour of Europe.
Married Life
After some hesitation, she accepted Charles Darwin's marriage proposal. The pair married on January 29, 1839, at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Maer, Staffordshire.
Charles and Emma had a total of ten children. She has been praised in particular for her patience and strength handling her husband's long-term illness. The Staffordshire-born woman also suffered the loss of three of their children.
Emma Darwin was instrumental in her husband's scientific achievements by nursing and amusing him through his many ups and downs.
Her piano sessions influenced her spouse so much that Darwin spent several pages in his 1871 book “The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex” discussing the evolution of musical ability through sexual selection.
Death
Seven years after the death of her husband, Charles Darwin, she passed away on October 2, 1896, aged 88. She was laid to rest at St Mary’s Church, Downe in Bromley.
Trivia
Her house, “The Grove” on Huntington Road, is now the Fitzwilliam College central building, serving as a common room for graduates and fellows.
She was one year older than Charles Darwin. Charles was born on February 12, 1809, while Emma was born on May 2, 1808.
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F.A.Q. about Emma Darwin
When is her birthday?
Emma Darwin's birthday is on May 2, 1808.
In how many days is her birthday?
Emma's birthday is in 54 days
How old was Emma when she died?
She was 88 years old.
When did she die?
She died in October 7, 1896.
How old would she be today?
Emma Darwin would be 216 years old if she was alive today.
Where was Emma from?
She was born in England, UK.