Campaigners celebrate Darwin Day: a trend setter in practical & iconic beards
Beard Liberation Front
12th February
The Beard Liberation Front, the informal network of beard wearers, has celebrated Darwin Day, on the 216th anniversary of his birth by noting that Darwin set a trend for beards that are both practical and iconic.
Darwin had a beard in his younger days, on and off. He grew a beard while on scientific voyages on ship, as was the normal practice amongst sailors to protect against the elements, but often shaved it off on his return.
Darwin’s full time beard dates from June 1862 when he grew a beard, on medical advice, due to eczema which made shaving difficult. However his beard quickly became one of the most iconic scientific beards of the Victorian era and is still celebrated to this day.
The iconic picture of him that appears on bank notes was taken by Julia Cameron when Darwin stayed in the Isle of Wight for some weeks in 1868.
BLF Organiser Keith Flett said, Darwin’s beard evolved over time into what remains a style classic
More information on Charles Darwin’s beard can be found in Kathryn Hughes book on the byways of Victorian society
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