Cambridge's pre-eminence in science began in the early 19th century. Prominent at the time was John Henslow who was a mathematician, naturalist, superb field geologist and founder member of the Cambridge Philosophical Society. By 29, he was Professor of Mineralogy and of Botany.
He is remembered for recommending Darwin to the Beagle expedition but his research is less well known – the nature of species through understanding natural variation.
His life changed dramatically in 1837 when he became Rector of a Suffolk parish. He refocused research to the application of science in agriculture and he helped poor labourers in the depressed agricultural economy of the time. His enduring legacy is his championing of universal education and the creation of the University Botanic Garden.
The speaker, John Parker, is Vice-President Clare Hall and formerly Director of the University of Cambridge Botanic Garden.
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