title: The "Annie hypothesis": did the death of his daughter cause Darwin to "give up Christianity"?
abstract: This article examines one of the most widely believed episodes in the life of Charles Darwin, that the death of his daughter Annie in 1851 caused the end of Darwin's belief in Christianity, and according to some versions, ended his attendance of church on Sundays. This hypothesis, it is argued, is commonly treated as a straightforward true account of Darwin's life, yet there is little or no supporting evidence. Furthermore, we argue, there is sufficient evidence that Darwin's loss of faith occurred before Annie's death.
authors: National University of Singapore.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Van Wyhe
authors: Mark J
authors: MJ
authors: Pallen
mesh_terms: D005075:Biological Evolution; D003643:Death; D056084:Genetic Fitness; D006117:Grief; D049672:History, 19th Century; D010287:Parent-Child Relations / Q000208:ethnology / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D012067:Religion / Q000266:history; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000208:ethnology