Sep

“The Evolution of Evolution” at Natural History

Smithsonian scientists Hans-Dieter Sues, associate director for Research and Collections at the Museum of Natural History, and Douglas Erwin, senior scientist in the Department of Paleobiology at MNH, will host a symposium celebrating the bicentennial of Charles Darwin’s birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his book “On the Origin of Species” on Saturday, Sept. 12. This all-day event features talks on a variety of subjects by internationally renowned experts from the museum and other institutions. In addition, Janet Browne, the foremost biographer of Charles Darwin, will present a lecture on the significance of the dual anniversary. The symposium, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the museum’s Baird Auditorium, is free and open to the public.

"On the Origin of Species By Means of Natural Selection" by Charles Darwin

The symposium coincides with the opening date of the museum’s newest exhibition, “Since Darwin: The Evolution of Evolution.” The exhibition focuses on the significant role that Darwin’s theories have played in explaining and unifying all the biological sciences. Specimens from the museum’s diverse collections, along with documentation from ongoing research, illustrate the importance of evolution as a scientific foundation, and how knowledge of evolution has evolved over the past 150 years. The exhibition opens Sept. 12 and continues through July 18, 2010.