About One Book One Northwestern

Northwestern’s One Book project aims to stimulate a common conversation across a diverse campus and university. This year, we observe the 150th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s paradigm shifting study, On the Origin of Species, and the 200th anniversary of Darwin’s birth. During 2008-2009 we will read The Reluctant Mr. Darwin, David Quammen’s stimulating account of Darwin’s life and work leading to the publication of Origin. The President’s office will send copies of Quammen’s book to all incoming Northwestern undergraduate students, and throughout the year there will be a number of special programs organized around this theme.

The theory of evolution revolutionized our understandings of human origins and still provokes wide debate. The influence of evolution is not limited to biology, or even the scientific disciplines. It ranges across our intellectual and cultural experience, as “Design in the Age of Darwin,” a special exhibit at Northwestern University’s Block Museum makes so clear. As such, it is fitting that we recognize these anniversaries at Northwestern where we seek to pursue the highest order of excellence in teaching and scholarship through a sustained commitment to interdisciplinary learning and understanding.

Henry Bienen, President
Northwestern University