The Arts In Berwick -- Natural History
Darwinian Debates

Darwin died in April 1882, but it was only in October 1883 that the evolutionary theory was first mentioned by the Berwickshire Naturalists. The President, George Hughes, thought it "eminently ingenious and pleasing to the vanity of man" so "Our safer course is to rest our belief on the miraculous interposition of an all wise God at man's creation".

A year later, Commander Francis Norman, spent much of his Presidential address looking at Darwinism. Like Hughes, he praised Darwin's contribution to science, but similarly thought the whole "Darwinian Cyclone" would blow over. Then those supporters who "range about in the semi-ape-like nudity of differentiated Man will be found sitting at the feet of Moses, and in their right mind!"

This comment is typical of Commander Norman, censorious and whimsical. To some that knew him, he appeared the stern bewhiskered veteran of the Crimea and China wars. But his international travel gave him a broad horizon - his autobiographical volumes written under the pen-name 'Martello Tower' are full of wit, jollity and praise for others - he was much impressed by the Japanese for example.

He enriched the Borough Museum collection, was one of the first to take practical steps to preserve Berwick's historic ramparts, gave the Jubilee Fountain to the town in 1897 and was the main instigator of the Flodden memorial.

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