By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
A handwritten letter by Charles Darwin was stolen from the Smithsonian Institution Archives about four decades ago, frustrating investigators and historians.
Then earlier this year, the FBI received a tip about the whereabouts of the letter written by the British naturalist and geologist known of his theory of evolution.
The artifact was return ed to the Smithsonian on May 26,
“Thanks to a tip from a member of the public, we were able to return this artifact to the care of the Smithsonian Archives,” Paul Abbate, assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, said in a statement. “It’s a privilege to return a piece of the history of science and exploration in the United States to the American people.”
Anne Van Camp, director of the Smithsonian Archives, said she’s relieved.
“This is an important event, as this type of crime is not easily detected, and it demonstrates how seriously the FBI regards our cultural heritage,” Van Camp said.
