Organic life beneath the shoreless waves
Was born, and nurs'd in Ocean's pearly caves;
First forms minute, unseen by spheric glass,
Move on the mud, or pierce the watery mass
A radio portrait of Dr Erasmus Darwin by DESMOND KING-HELE
Narrated by NIGEL ANTHONY with Freddie Jones as Erasmus Darwin
Writing 50 years before his grandson's Origin of Species, Erasmus Darwin 's ideas on evolution were both more radical than Charles Darwin 's and closer to modern belief. Also a pioneer in meteorology, medicine and industrial technology and once a highly rated poet, he is today virtually forgotten by historians of science. with PATRICIA LEVENTON
DAVID BRIERLEY , ROBERT FRENCH
STEPHEN THORNE , DAVID GOODERSON WILLIAM EEDLE and FRASER KERR Producer JOHN SCOTNEY