Charles Darwin visited St Helena on board the HMS Beagle, arriving on the 8 July 1836 and remaining on the island for 5 days. Darwin described the island as a desolate place and spent much of his time exploring the geology with the aid of an elderly local guide. He wrote “I obtained lodgings within a stone’s throw of Napoleon’s tomb: it was a capital central situation, whence I could make excursions in every direction. During the four days I stayed here, I wandered over the island from morning to night… Many of the English plants appear to flourish better than in their native country; some also from the opposite quarter of Australia succeed remarkably well. The many imported species must have destroyed some of the native kinds; and it is only on the highest and steepest ridges, that the indigenous Flora is now predominant” For more information about Darwin's visit see here, and for more information about other famous historical visitors to St Helena see here.