Eucalyptus maculata (Spotted Gum) by Edward Minchen (1862-1913). Source: Australian National Botanic Gardens.

Home > Events > Public lectures > The origin of species: the Australian connection

Introduction

The Australian Academy of Science provided a series of lectures that highlighted the contribution of Australian material in developing the ideas of Charles Darwin, who visited Australia as the naturalist on the Beagle in 1836.

The Academy took on a pro-active role in countering those who seek to have Intelligent Design taught as an alternative to evolution in Australian schools. The Academy provided a series of high profile, public lectures with a strong emphasis on the science of evolution. The lectures highlighted the science of evolution by profiling evolution at work in Australia's fauna, flora and geology, and its place in Gondwana.

The series culminated in a celebration of the 300th anniversary of the birth of Carl Linnaeus in May 2007, whose taxonomic binomial nomenclature for plants and animals was developed in the 1750s. Linnaeus' best pupil was Daniel Solander, who had first-hand knowledge of the Linnaean system of nomenclature for plants and animals. Together with Joseph Banks, Solander was able to classify accurately the plants that they collected in Australia in 1770.

Transcripts of the lectures are available.

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Useful links

Position statement
The Academy's position statement on creationism and intelligent design

Teaching evolution
Media release from the Academy and statement from the InterAcademy Panel on International issues (IAP)

Linnaeus 2007
Official website for the 300th anniversary of the birth of Carl Linnaeus

Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778)
Swedish Museum of Natural History

Taxonomy and systematics
The Natural History Museum (London)

Darwin's writings
Read Darwin's works, including The Origin of Species online at Literature.org