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Erasmus Darwin 1731 - 1802
Visit Erasmus Darwin House
Erasmus Darwin, grandfather of Charles and famous philosopher and thinker of 18th century was born in 1731 at Elston Hall. His father, a lawyer, retired early after inheriting the hall, but lived on a low income which meant that Erasmus and his brother had to work for their living.
Erasmus spent many years in education, including ten years at Chesterfield school, three years at St John’s College, Cambridge and then a further two years at Edinburgh Medical School. He began a 25-year career in 1756 as a Lichfield physician and with great success as a doctor his income steadily grew. In 1757, Erasmus married Mary (Polly) Howard and within a year they moved to Lichfield in a medieval house overlooking the Cathedral. The house, named Darwin House during the 20th Century, has been completely restored and was opened to the public in 1999 as the Erasmus Darwin Centre, a museum and business meeting venue.
It was at this house that Erasmus and Polly lived with their three sons, Charles, Erasmus junior, and Robert until the unfortunate death of Polly in 1770. After this time Erasmus continued to live in the house with his sister and housekeeper, Susanna and later formed a relationship with Robert’s nanny with whom he had two daughters, Susan and Mary Parker.
In 1775, Erasmus met Mrs Elizabeth Pole, the wife of Colonel Edward Pole who lived at Radburn Hall, near Derby. Erasmus fell in love with Elizabeth, however as she was married he could only make his feelings known through poems, of which 26 have been saved for us to read. In 1780 Colonel Pole died and Erasmus married Elizabeth, leaving Lichfield to live at Radburn. They enjoyed 21 years together and had their own family of seven children. Erasmus died in 1802 aged 70.
Since this time it has been said that no one has achieved as much as Erasmus did. He was a doctor, scientist, poet, inventor and a pioneer of the theory of evolution. Erasmus was also famous for his people skills and had a gift for friendship. Erasmus’ inventions included his own steering system used in modern cars, a speaking machine and an outstanding copying machine, which was so good that the copy could not be distinguished from the original document. He had an insight into physical and biological science and was the first to appreciate the complete process of photosynthesis in plants. Because of his remarkable life Erasmus Darwin was an extremely famous man with many admired talents.
