Darwin (factual question about the person, not a debate)

Factual Questions
1

Twice now I have heard the story that Darwin, shortly before dying, confessed that he didn’t belive his own theory, and that he made it all up. I didn’t take it seriously either time. Is there a source for this tale, or is it just a baseless rumor?

Please do not chime in with a comment about whether you believe Darwin’s theory. I just want a denial (or, I suppose, a confirmation), backed up with a source. It came up in my stats class (of all places) today, and I’d like to be able to do some rumor control with my students, beyond me just saying, “no way.”

2

That’s untrue. Again, I’m too lazy to dig up a cite (I’m on a roll), but it’s very, very false.

3

Here’s a fe websites to get stuck into:

http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/hope.html

http://members.aol.com/steamdoc/writings/moore94.html

4

The story originated with Lady Elizabeth Hope but is most probably completely false.
http://www.cincinnatiskeptics.org/blurbs/darwin-deathbed.html

5

I meant to send this one as well: http://www.freethought-web.org/ctrl/ladyhope.html

There is a whole school of urban myths known as “lyin’ for the Lord”, of which this is one of the oldest. The frustrating pity is that most people who spread them actually think they’re true and pass them on from sincerity, though can get quite miffed when corrected.

6

Here’s even an apparently religious site which denies the truth of this story. And here’s another.