Erasmus Darwin
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"Erasmus Darwin" was an English physician. One of the key thinkers of the Midlands Enlightenment, he was also a natural philosophy/natural philosopher, physiology/physiologist, Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade/slave-trade abolitionist, inventor and poet. His poems included much natural history, including a statement of evolution and the relatedness of all forms of life. He was a member of the Darwin–Wedgwood family, which includes his grandsons Charles Darwin and Francis Galton. Darwin was also a founding member of the Lunar Society of Birmingham, a discussion group of pioneering industrialists and natural philosophers. He turned down George III of the United Kingdom/George III's invitation to be a physician to the King.

Erasmus Darwin House, his home in Lichfield, is now a museum dedicated to Erasmus Darwin and his life's work. A school in nearby Chasetown recently converted to Academy (English school)/Academy status and is now known as Erasmus Darwin Academy.

If you enjoy these quotes, be sure to check out other famous scientists! More Erasmus Darwin on Wikipedia.

A fool is a man who never tried an experiment in his life.

And hail their queen, fair regent of the night.

Stroke follow strokes, the sparkling ingot shines,/ Flows the red slag, the lengthening bar refines;/ Cold waves, immersed, the glowing mass congeal,/ And turn to adamant the hissing Steel.

Soon shall thy arm, unconquered steam! afar / Drag the slow barge, or drive the rapid car; / Or on wide-waving wings expanded bear/ The flying chariot through the field of air.

With zealous step he climbs the upland lawn, And bows in homage to the rising dawn; Imbibes with eagle eye the golden ray, And watches, as it moves, the orb of day.

No, Sir, because I have time to think before I speak, and don't ask impertinent questions.