Darwin’s missing notebooks returned to library after more than 20 years

Two of Charles Darwin’s notebooks were returned to the Cambridge University Library earlier this year, more than two decades after staff realized that they were missing. The notebooks were wrapped in plastic and put inside a pink gift bag outside the librarian’s office. A mysterious note wished the librarian a happy Easter and was signed by “X.” It’s estimated that the notebooks are worth millions of dollars.

Library staff discovered that the notebooks were missing during a routine check in 2001. At first, staff thought that they were just in the wrong place, but after years of searching, the library announced that someone had probably stolen them. Since then, the library has greatly increased its security, adding CCTV monitoring and special rooms. Although the notebooks have been returned, police are continuing to investigate the case.

Library staff explained that the notebooks are small, but their impact on the history of science is very big. Charles Darwin filled them with notes and drawings in 1837 after his famous trip to the Galapagos Islands. He used the notebooks to work on his theory of evolution by natural selection.