# Darwin (factual question about the person, not a debate) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 10, 2003, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/darwin-factual-question-about-the-person-not-a-debate/180956 "2003-06-10T20:31:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aubries](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/53a042/32.png) [@aubries](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aubries)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2003, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/darwin-factual-question-about-the-person-not-a-debate/180956/1 "2003-06-10T20:31:51Z")
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.” ---
**Author:** ![skaterboarder87](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@skaterboarder87](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skaterboarder87)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2003, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/darwin-factual-question-about-the-person-not-a-debate/180956/2 "2003-06-10T20:42:18Z")
That’s untrue. Again, I’m too lazy to dig up a cite (I’m on a roll), but it’s very, very false. ---
**Author:** ![MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bb73d2/32.png) [@MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MC_Master_of_Ceremonies)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2003, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/darwin-factual-question-about-the-person-not-a-debate/180956/3 "2003-06-10T20:43:03Z")
Here’s a fe websites to get stuck into: [http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/hope.html](http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/hope.html) > **[Charles Darwin became a Christian on his deathbed and renounced...](https://www.truthorfiction.com/darwin/)** > > Charles Darwin Became a Christian on His Deathbed and Renounced Evolution-Unproven! Summary of eRumor: Charles Darwin, the author of THE SPECIES BY [http://members.aol.com/steamdoc/writings/moore94.html](http://members.aol.com/steamdoc/writings/moore94.html) ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2003, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/darwin-factual-question-about-the-person-not-a-debate/180956/4 "2003-06-10T20:46:16Z")
The story originated with Lady Elizabeth Hope but is most probably completely false. [http://www.cincinnatiskeptics.org/blurbs/darwin-deathbed.html](http://www.cincinnatiskeptics.org/blurbs/darwin-deathbed.html) ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2003, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/darwin-factual-question-about-the-person-not-a-debate/180956/5 "2003-06-10T20:48:30Z")
I meant to send this one as well: [http://www.freethought-web.org/ctrl/ladyhope.html](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. ---
**Author:** ![bryanmcc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eada6e/32.png) [@bryanmcc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bryanmcc)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2003, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/darwin-factual-question-about-the-person-not-a-debate/180956/6 "2003-06-10T20:51:07Z")
[Here’s](http://www.answersingenesis.org/docs/1315.asp) even an apparently religious site which denies the truth of this story. And [here’s](http://www.creationtruth.com/articles/didcdrecant.htm) another.