A decade ago I was lucky enough to work for a short while at the Cambridge University Herbarium after its move to the Botanical Gardens in Cambridge. It introduced me to the roles John Stevens Henslow and John Lindley played in guiding Darwin. Henslow in particular was Darwins’ mentor. One of the most awestruck moments of my life was (very carefully!) handling a plant specimen provided by Darwin.

The Herbarium has been officially awarded Designated status by the Arts Council England to recognise the value of the collection it holds, which must rock immensely!