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This is the magnificent façade
of King's College.

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You wouldn't think it from the name,

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but starting in the 19th century this college
played a crucial role in the study of biology.

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This place hasn't always
been focused on animals.

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The college was founded in the 16th century
by King Philip II of Spain, hence the name,

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and was originally a seminary
for the formation of priests.

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However, it fell into decline
in the 18th century.

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– "With great hesitation,
I wrote to Professor Van Beneden..."

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Darwin wrote in his autobiography.

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He was referring to Pierre-Joseph Van Beneden,

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a zoologist and then curator
of the Zoological Museum.

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He was also a world-famous researcher.

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After the tumultuous French Revolution,
the college was eventually returned to the university.

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The zoological collection was moved here in
the beginning of the 19th century

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and included this impressive skeleton
of a bowhead whale

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... and the coelacanth,

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an aquatic animal that illustrates
the evolutionary transition from water to land.

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History was written here,
first by Professor Van Beneden

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and later by researchers such
as Canon de Dorlodot,

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whose discoveries paved the way for the
ground-breaking genetics research

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here at KU Leuven.

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An interesting fact: when the whale was
brought through the town of Leuven

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it's said that it left a stench that lingered for hours!