Erasmus Darwin
Physician, Naturalist & Poet
Married to Mary Howard · Parent of 2
Family snapshot
Three generations at a glance
Life story
Biography
English physician, naturalist and poet who was one of the key thinkers of the Midlands Enlightenment. Grandfather of Charles Darwin and Francis Galton.
Erasmus Darwin occupies generation 4 of this recorded lineage partner to Mary Howard and Elizabeth Pole and parent of Robert Waring Darwin and Charles Darwin (elder). The title "Physician, Naturalist & Poet" reflects the public or family role associated with this profile.
Within the wider Darwin–Wedgwood Family, this life forms part of a network spanning 4 recorded generations. The timeline and family snapshot below bring those connections together, while the full tree provides the broader historical context.
Milestones
Life timeline
12 December 1731
Born
The beginning of Erasmus Darwin's recorded life.
Family
Married Mary Howard
A partnership that connects two branches of the Darwin family.
Next generation
Family line continues
2 children recorded in this branch: Robert Waring Darwin and Charles Darwin (elder).
Legacy
Physician, Naturalist & Poet
A defining role in the story of the Darwin family.
18 April 1802
Died
The close of a life whose connections continue through the family record.
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Family record
Frequently asked questions
Who were Erasmus Darwin's children?
Erasmus Darwin had 2 children: Robert Waring Darwin and Charles Darwin (elder).
Who did Erasmus Darwin marry?
Erasmus Darwin was married to Mary Howard and Elizabeth Pole.
What family tree does Erasmus Darwin belong to?
Erasmus Darwin appears in the Darwin–Wedgwood Family family tree on Lineage, where you can explore the full interactive genealogy chart.
The Darwin archive
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