UNESCO Recognizes 20,000-Item Charles Darwin Archive

Charles Darwin's extensive archive, comprising over 20,000 items documenting the development of his theory of evolution and global scientific work, has been inscribed on the UNESCO International Memory of the World Register. This recognition underscores the archive's critical importance to global science and the necessity of its preservation and accessibility. The collection is a collaborative effort among six major UK institutions, including Cambridge University Library, the Natural History Museum, the Linnean Society of London, English Heritage’s Down House, the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, and the National Library of Scotland. Key items include Darwin’s pocket notebooks with early evolutionary ideas, the iconic 'Tree of Life' diagram, correspondence with his publisher, and personal documents from his home life. Many manuscripts and letters are also freely accessible online through digital library initiatives. The archive now joins other significant documentary heritage such as the Domesday Book and the discovery of insulin on the UNESCO register.