Charles Darwin's Framework

Francis Darwin's account of his father's middle years at Down House is the most exactly timed day in the book. Darwin rose at seven and took a short walk, breakfasted alone at 7:45, and worked in his study from eight to 9:30, which he considered his best time. From 9:30 to 10:30 he read his letters, then returned to the study until noon. At noon he walked round the Sandwalk, usually alone or with a dog. Lunch at 12:45 was the main meal. Then the newspaper and replies to letters, a rest on the sofa at three while his wife read a novel aloud, another walk at four, clearing up in the study until 5:30, a light tea at 7:30, two games of backgammon, reading, and bed by 10:30, where he slept badly. The framework keeps every piece: three hours of creative work in two sittings, an hour's nap, three short walks and an evening of small, fixed pleasures. A day built around chronic illness, and it produced the Origin of Species.