Art & Life

POSTCARD BIOGRAPHIES FROM THE NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY

After the success of the first series of postcard biographies taken from the NPG's archives, this is a new series of specially commissioned 70-word biographies of and by major figures of today

10 Richard Dawkins on

Charles Darwin (1809-1882)

Five years' circumnavigation transformed unscholarly youth to great naturalist. Chronic illness freed the rest of his life for pondering the greatest idea ever thought. He was the first living creature to understand what life really is. Never was so much explained by so few assumptions. This kind, gentle old man was reviled by the orthodox and died plain Mister Darwin, but will be honoured till the end of our species.

Richard Dawkins aStephen Hyde. Charles Darwin by John Collier, 1881 aNPG. The Art & Life series is now available as a pack of 25 pull- out post cards (see review p36). Now on sale at pounds 5 in the NPG shop, or by mail order (0171 306 0055, x280/ fax 0171 306 0092). Add pounds 1 p&p for up to two packs, pounds 1.50 thereafter.