An archive featuring the works of scientist Charles Darwin has been acknowledged by the United Nations for its significant contribution to global science and the necessity of its preservation.

The Unesco Memory of the World Programme serves as the documentary counterpart to Unesco World Heritage Sites, safeguarding invaluable documents that narrate the story of human civilization.

The Darwin Archive, housed across six institutions in England and Scotland—including the University of Cambridge’s collection—has been officially included in the Unesco register.

This extensive archive contains over 20,000 items, featuring documents that illustrate the evolution of Darwin’s theories on evolution.

The collaboration involves Cambridge University Library, the Natural History Museum in London, the Linnean Society of London, English Heritage’s Down House in Kent, the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, and the National Library of Scotland.

Within Cambridge’s collection are Darwin’s pocket notebooks, which capture his preliminary ideas that contributed to his evolutionary theory, including the famed Tree of Life diagram he sketched post his HMS Beagle voyage.

Thousands of Darwin’s manuscripts and letters are also made freely available online through the Cambridge Digital Library and the Darwin Correspondence Project.

Down House, located in Downe, Kent and managed by English Heritage, served both as Darwin’s family residence and workplace. Its collection boasts over 200 personal books, diaries, account ledgers, the Journal of the Voyage of the Beagle, notebooks, letters, and personal items like scrapbooks.

At the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, there are 44 letters concerning the HMS Beagle expedition, while additional correspondence is preserved at the Natural History Museum and the Linnean Society of London.

In Scotland, the National Library houses letters exchanged with Darwin’s publisher John Murray.

Cambridge University Library stated: “The Unesco International Memory of the World Register encompasses some of the UK’s most cherished documentary heritage, including the Domesday Book and Shakespeare’s Documents, together with more modern collections like Sir Winston Churchill’s personal archive.

“The Charles Darwin archive is now part of this esteemed compilation, highlighting its historical, scientific, and cultural relevance.”

Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State for International Development, commented: “The inclusion of the Charles Darwin archive in Unesco’s International Memory of the World Register is a moment of pride for British science and cultural heritage.

“Darwin’s contributions fundamentally transformed our comprehension of the natural world and continue to fuel scientific inquiry today.

“This archive, uniting extraordinary materials from our premier British institutions, ensures that Darwin’s pioneering work remains accessible to researchers, students, and inquisitive minds worldwide.”