Not exactly a toothy grin
Browsing, as I often do, through Darwin Online yesterday, I came across this famous photograph of Charles Darwin with his eldest child, William. It is the only photograph that exists showing Darwin with a member of his family.
Looking at the picture, it suddenly dawned on me that this is the only photograph I can remember seeing in which Darwin appears to be smiling. It’s not exactly a toothy grin, but it’s certainly a smile: the smile of a contented and proud father, perhaps. It’s also a slightly enigmatic smile, not entirely unlike that of the Mona Lisa.
Reading the caption to the photo, something else dawned on me: Charles Darwin aged 43… That’s my age! This is what Charles Darwin looked like when he was the same age as me!
All I can say is that he scrubs up rather well. But I have more hair.
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