BBC making a new programme about Darwin

[leon_heller]

I just heard on the local BBC TV news that the Beeb is making a new film about Darwin, presented by Sir David Attenborough and Andrew Marr.

Leon

[Soapy Sam]

Well with those two on board, it should at least be factual.

Actually, the man I would like to see a full biopic of, is Robert Fitzroy- sometimes seen by Darwinists as some sort of bogey man for his later opposition to Darwinism. He got that wrong, but he got a great deal right in his life. He was no mean scientist himself, as well as a highly professional seaman. I was pleased when the Met Office finally acknowledged his contribution by naming a sea area after him.

[TX50]

Robert Fitzroy [...] He was no mean scientist himself...

A Fellow of the Royal Society, no less. One of my [few remaining] personal
heroes - after James Cook.

[Lothian]

Marr promoted Darwin in the 100 greatest Britians programme a few years back.

[leon_heller]

There was a BBC radio programme about Fitzroy a few weeks ago. He ended up as a Vice-Admiral and committed suicide by cutting his throat with a razor. He seems to have suffered all his life from what is now called bipolar disorder.

Leon

[UnrepentantSinner]

Sounds interesting. I wonder who'll air it in the U.S. (other than BeebA).

[Mojo]

I was pleased when the Met Office finally acknowledged his contribution by naming a sea area after him.


I kind of miss Finisterre though.

[Deetee]

Do the Spanish still have one?

[TX50]

There was a BBC radio programme about Fitzroy a few weeks ago. He ended up as a Vice-Admiral and committed suicide by cutting his throat with a razor. He seems to have suffered all his life from what is now called bipolar disorder.

Leon

Fitzroy was rather more than just an admiral (by seniority) and a
suicide:

Passed out with distinction from Royal Naval College, Portsmouth.

Got a perfect score in his examinations for Leutenant (a feat never
before achieved by anyone).

Surveyed the coasts of South America and did much scientific work
there.

Won a gold medal from the Royal Geographical society.

Member of Parliament.

Governor of New Zealand. Fired from that post largely because he held
that the Maoris should be dealt with in a fair and equitable manner.

Superintendent of Woolwich Royal Dockyard.

Elected fellow of the Royal Society (nominated, among others, by Charles
Darwin).

Head of British Meteorological department. Invented a barometer, practically
invented weather forecasting. Devised a storm warning system.

[Dragon]

From the BBC Press Office (http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/07_july/03/darwin.shtml)

The BBC today announces a season of landmark content to mark one of the most astonishing and influential scientific ideas ever conceived.



February 12 2009 is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin, and 24 November 2009 is the 150th of the publication of his book On the Origin of Species, which laid out the theory of evolution by natural selection.
Looks very good indeed - several TV and radio programmes across the network.

[Mojo]

Do the Spanish still have one?


Yes, but I can't imagine a Spanish Finisterre sitting in an armchair at the end of the shipping forecast, wearing a smoking jacket and enjoying a large scotch, like a slightly more raffish Rowley Birkin QC.