‘Stolen’ Darwin manuscripts anonymously returned to university library

One of the notebooks contains Darwin’s famous 1837 Tree of Life sketch

One of the notebooks that was anonymously returned (Cambridge University Library/ PA)

Two Charles Darwin manuscripts that were reported as stolen from Cambridge University Library in the UK have been anonymously returned in a pink gift bag, with a typed note on an envelope wishing a Happy Easter to the librarian.

The precious items were found to be missing in 2001, but at the time staff believed they may have been mis-shelved.