Charles Darwin

Charles Robert Darwin (12 February 1809 – 22 April 1882) was an English naturalist, geologist, biologist, evolutionist and author who is best known for his contributions to the theory of evolution by natural selection. His book On the Origin of Species, published on 24 November 1859, is considered one of the most influential works in human history, and it is the foundation of evolutionary biology.

Early Life and Education

Darwin was born in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England, on 12 February 1809. He was the fifth of six children of Robert Darwin, a wealthy physician, and Susannah Darwin, a well-read and imaginative daughter of Josiah Wedgwood, the famous pottery manufacturer.

Darwin was educated at Shrewsbury School and the University of Cambridge. At Cambridge, he studied medicine and theology, but he was more interested in natural history. He graduated in 1831 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in classics.

The Beagle Voyage

In 1831, Darwin was invited to join the HMS Beagle as a naturalist on a five-year voyage around the world. The voyage was originally intended to chart the coasts of South America and to establish a chain of convict settlements in Australia. However, it also became an important scientific expedition, and Darwin collected a vast amount of data on the geology, flora, and fauna of the places visited.

The Beagle voyage had a profound impact on Darwin's thinking. He was particularly interested in the distribution of species, and he began to develop his theory of evolution by natural selection.

Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection

Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection is based on the observation that all living things vary, and that these variations are inherited by their offspring. Some of these variations are more beneficial than others, and the individuals with the most beneficial variations are more likely to survive and reproduce. Over time, these beneficial variations will become more common in the population, and the species will evolve.

Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection was a radical departure from the prevailing view of the time, which was that species were fixed and unchanging. Darwin's theory was met with much resistance, but it eventually gained acceptance, and it is now the foundation of modern biology.

Later Life and Legacy

Darwin returned to England in 1836 and married his cousin Emma Wedgwood in 1839. They had ten children together.

Darwin continued to work on his theory of evolution for the rest of his life. He published a number of books on the subject, including On the Origin of Species, The Descent of Man, and The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals.

Darwin died in Down House, Downe, Kent, England, on 22 April 1882. He was buried in Westminster Abbey.

Darwin's legacy is enormous. His theory of evolution by natural selection is one of the most important scientific discoveries ever made, and it has had a profound impact on our understanding of the natural world.