This is an I-Heart podcast.

And we return to our American stories.

In February 12, 1809, two men were born who would end up being considered among the top

thinkers of their time. Both men valued science and technology were controversial among many of

their contemporaries, and both fundamentally changed the course of history. But that's where the

comparisons stop.

One of these men was English scientist Charles Darwin,

the other was President of the United States.

Here to tell the story is David J. Kent,

author of Lincoln, The Fire of Genius.

But first, a reading of Lincoln's own words.

Let's get into the story.

All creation is a mine, in every man, a miner.

The whole earth, and all within it, upon it, and around it, including himself, in his physical, moral and intellectual nature, and his susceptibilities, are the infinitely various leads

from which man, from the first, was to dig out his destiny.

In the beginning, the mine was unopened, and the miners stood naked and knowledgeless upon

it.

Fishes, birds, beasts, and creeping things are not miners, but feeders and lodgers merely.

Beavers build houses, but they build them in no wise differently or better now than

they did 5,000 years ago.

Ants and honeybees provide food for winter.

Man is not the only animal who labors, but he is the only one who improves his workmanship.

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