Stolen Darwin notebooks returned

Darwin's books come home - 16th May 2022

Two missing books have come back to Cambridge University library. The small leather notebooks were last seen 22 years ago. They were owned by the scientist Charles Darwin and are worth millions of pounds.

The notebooks were from the later part of the 1830s, when Darwin had returned from the Galapagos Islands. They contain notes and drawings which later developed into his theory of evolution. This theory, 'On the Origin of Species', is one of great importance to science.

For years, the library thought the notebooks were just misplaced and were somewhere in the building. When the staff realised the books were stolen, they informed the police . A worldwide search started to find the valuable items. The little notebooks were returned 15 months later.

The university librarian, Dr Jessica Gardner, couldn't believe the incredible news. "They're safe, they're in good condition, they're home," she said happily.

The notebooks are now safe, but many questions remain. Who took them and why? And who brought them back? There are few details about the recent discovery.

The notebooks were found in a bright pink bag outside Dr Gardner's office, where there were no cameras. In the bag was a short message which read: "Librarian, Happy Easter X."