Exhibits to Explore in the Sterling Morton Library

During this year of celebrations – the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin, the 150th anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of the Species and the 100th anniversary of the Burnham Plan - the Sterling Morton Library currently has three special exhibits to explore.

Darwin's Flowers: Unlocking Natural Selection
After returning from his voyage on the Beagle (1831-1836), Charles Darwin renewed his childhood interest in plants. By 1881 he had written seven major books on pollinators and pollinating mechanisms, insectivorous plants, the power of movement in plants, and a pioneering work on orchid biology. This exhibit presents examples of these varied studies as Darwin saw them - supporting evidence for his theory that natural selection is the driving force of evolving life.

Make Big Plans: Daniel Burnham's Vision of an American Metropolis
A photo-panel exhibit created by the Newberry Library for the centennial of the Plan of Chicago. More details about this fascinating project can be found at:
http://burnhamplan100.uchicago.edu/newberryexhibit/

Worth His Salt: Joy Morton and the Plan of Chicago
Through photographs and text discover how Joy Morton, a long-time member of the Commercial Club of Chicago, made significant contributions to the development of the 1909 Plan of Chicago. Curious about other centennial events? The Burnham Plan Centennial site has a number of resources and a list of engaging events at: http://burnhamplan100.uchicago.edu/

If these current exhibits within the Library pique your interest, the following selected resources will further your understanding:

• Smith, Carl S.The plan of Chicago : Daniel Burnham and the remaking of the American city, 2006. NA737.B85 S65
• Plan of Chicago : prepared under the direction of the Commercial Club during the years MCMVI, MCMVII, and MCMVIII, 1909. REF NA9127.C4C7
• Ballowe, James. A man of salt and trees : the life of Joy Morton, 2009. CT9610.M6B3
• McGinty, Alice B. Darwin, 2009. J CT9460.D2M4
• Schanzer, Rosalyn. What Darwin saw : the journey that changed the world, 2009.
  J CT9460.D2S3
• Quammen, David. The reluctant Mr. Darwin : an intimate portrait of Charles Darwin and the making of his theory of evolution, 2006. CT 9460.D2Q3
• Keynes, R. D. Fossils, finches, and Fuegians : Darwin’s adventures and discoveries on the Beagle, 2003. QH11.K49

New exhibit opens in the Sterling Morton Library

Visit the Sterling Morton Library of The Morton Arboretum and delve into our new exhibit : Humboldt & Darwin Explore New Worlds, 1799–1836

Explore the adventures of Alexander von Humboldt and Charles Darwin on their remarkable journeys through South America. Works from our circulating and special collections highlight their adventures and discoveries. Additional information about these two naturalists can be found in this selection of works from the Library’s collections:

• Adams, Alexander B. Eternal quest : the story of the great naturalists, 1969.
• Darwin, Charles. Charles Darwin's notebooks, 1836-1844 : geology, transmutation of species, metaphysical enquiries, 1987.
• Darwin, Charles. The Autobiography of Charles Darwin and selected letters, 1958.
• Darwin, Charles. The voyage of Charles Darwin : his autobiographical writings, 1979.
• Dolan, Edward F. Green universe : the story of Alexander von Humboldt, 1959.
• Freeman, R. B. Charles Darwin : a companion, 1978.
• Helferich, Gerard. Humboldt's cosmos : Alexander von Humboldt and the Latin American journey that changed the way we see the world, 2004.
• Humboldt, Alexander von. The Humboldt Library : a catalogue of the library of Alexander von Humboldt, 1967.
• Kellner, L. Alexander von Humboldt, 1963.
• Nicholas, F. W. Charles Darwin in Australia : with illustrations and additional commentary from other members of the Beagle's company including Conrad Martens, Augustus Earle, Captain FitzRoy, Philip Gidley King, and Syms Covington, 1989.
• Olby, Robert C. Charles Darwin, 1967.
• The great naturalists, 2007.
• Von Hagen, Victor Wolfgang. South America called them : explorations of the great naturalists: La Condamine, Humboldt, Darwin, Spruce, 1955.
• Zottmann, Thomas Michael. Alexander von Humboldt : scientist, explorer, adventurer, 1961.

Charles Darwin and the Beagle

Leafing Through the Pages, the Sterling Morton Library’s book discussion group, met yesterday to discuss the life and adventures of Charles Darwin as told in his book, Voyage of the Beagle. As we sat in the Library’s Reading Room discussing this five year journey, appropriately a portrait from our Art Collection of Darwin by John Collier (printed in 1883) watched over us. The gathering and discussion brought a diversity of insight, opinions and viewpoints – just what makes an interesting morning for the group!

In preparation for this gathering, I sifted through the Library’s collections related to the works by and about Charles Darwin. The Sterling Morton Library has a number of titles about Darwin including his published collected correspondence and papers. In addition, we have a number of books that he authored along with a significant collection of research about his studies and writings.

Want to read an account of exploration, drama and discovery? Pick up a copy of the Voyage of the Beagle (first published in 1839 as Journal of researches into the geology and natural history of the various countries visited by H. M. S. Beagle) and embark on an adventure!