Darwin Birthplace Trust

Two children in vintage clothing with flowers, one kneeling holding a potted plant.

THE YOUNG CHARLES DARWIN

Public Domain Wellcome collection

Darwin House, located at The Mount in Shrewsbury, United Kingdom, is the birthplace of Charles Darwin, who was born there on 12th February 1809. The house is surrounded by 7 acres of land, perched high above the River Severn. Built by Charles Darwin's parents, Dr. Robert and Susannah Darwin, the family moved to this significant location in 1800. During his early years, Charles lived at this historic site with his brother Erasmus and four sisters: Marianne, Susan, Charlotte, and Catherine.

Charles Darwin spent his formative years in Shrewsbury, where he developed a love for exploring the countryside. He enjoyed collecting, reading, and observing the various plants and insects he encountered. Additionally, he was delighted to assist his brother Erasmus in their home laboratory, meticulously documenting each experiment, which served as valuable experience for his later career.

He attended Revd. Case's Unitarian school in Shrewsbury and later became a boarder at Shrewsbury School from 1818 to 1825. At the age of 16, he joined his brother Erasmus to study medicine at Edinburgh University for two years before moving on to Cambridge University, where he earned his degree in 1831.

After completing his education, Charles embarked on a transformative five-year voyage around the world as the naturalist on HMS Beagle from 1831 to 1836. Shrewsbury remained the family home to which he returned between university terms and following his remarkable voyage on HMS Beagle.

In 1839, Charles Darwin married his cousin, Emma Wedgwood, and moved to London before settling at Down House in Kent. He continued to visit his birth place in Shrewsbury regularly until his father's passing in 1848.

The last visit to Darwin House occurred three years after the death of his sister, Susan Darwin, in 1866, when the house was auctioned off along with all its contents.

If you have any stories or artefacts connected to the Darwin or Wedgwood families, please let us know. To be kept in touch with developments at Darwin House, please email us at info@darwinbirthplacetrust.com or message us from this site.

Portrait of a seated man in early 19th-century attire beside a table with books and an inkpot.

Public Domain Wellcome Collection

Dr Robert Darwin

Dr. Robert Darwin and his wife Susannah created Darwin House, which served as the family home and is known as the birthplace of Charles Darwin. Susannah's brother, John Wedgwood, the first Chairman of the newly formed Horticultural Society of London (now the RHS) in 1804, contributed to the design of the garden at this historic site. This location is often referred to in connection with The Mount House in Shrewsbury, United Kingdom, and The Mount in Shrewsbury, highlighting its significance in botanical history.