"Darwin's Darkest Hour" refers to a critical period in 1858 when Charles Darwin faced a profound personal and professional crisis that nearly derailed his life's work. The Core Crisis: The Wallace Letter
In June 1858, Darwin received a letter and manuscript from , a young naturalist working in Indonesia. To Darwin’s shock, Wallace had independently developed a theory of natural selection nearly identical to his own. After 20 years of secretive research, Darwin realized he was in danger of being "scooped" and losing credit for his discovery. Personal Tragedy Darwin's Darkest Hour
This professional threat hit Darwin during a time of intense family suffering: "Darwin's Darkest Hour" refers to a critical period