Charles Darwin

Charles Darwin 1816

Young-Charles-Darwin-statue-by-Anthony-Smith-(Christ's-College-Cambridge)-3

Voyage of the Beagle-en

Darwin, detail from Augustus Earle (presumed) - Quarter Deck of a Man of War on Diskivery (sic) or interesting Scenes on an Interesting Voyage

HMS Beagle by Conrad Martens

Charles Robert Darwin (12 February 1809 – 19 April 1882) was an English naturalist, geologist, and biologist, best known for his contributions to the science of evolution. His proposition that all species of life have descended over time from common ancestors is now widely accepted and considered a fundamental concept in science.

Early Life

Charles Darwin was born in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England, the fifth of six children of wealthy society doctor and financier Robert Darwin, and Susannah Darwin (née Wedgwood). Darwin himself initially planned to follow a medical career; he studied at Edinburgh University but later switched to divinity at Christ's College, Cambridge. During his time at Cambridge, Darwin developed a keen interest in natural history, which would become the focus of his life's work.

Voyage on the HMS Beagle

In 1831, Darwin embarked on a five-year voyage around the world on the HMS Beagle as a gentleman naturalist. The voyage would prove instrumental in the development of his theories on evolution and natural selection. His observations and collections contributed to his ideas about the origin of species. Among the most significant of his observations were those made in the Galápagos Islands, where he noted the diversity of animal species and the variations that seemed to be adapted to different environments.

On the Origin of Species

After returning to England in 1836, Darwin began to develop his theory of natural selection, although he would not publish his seminal work, On the Origin of Species, until 1859. In it, Darwin argued that organisms evolve over time through a process of natural selection, where those with traits better suited to their environment have a better chance of surviving and reproducing. This work laid the foundation for the modern understanding of evolution and sparked considerable debate and controversy upon its publication.

Later Life and Legacy

Darwin continued to write and publish on a variety of topics related to natural history and evolution, including The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex (1871), which extended his theory of natural selection to human evolution. He died in Downe, Kent, England, in 1882, but his work continues to influence a wide range of scientific disciplines.

Darwin's contributions to science have made him one of the most revered figures in the history of biology. His theory of evolution by natural selection provided a natural explanation for the diversity of life on Earth and has become a cornerstone of modern biological science.

See Also

• Natural selection
• Evolution
• History of biology
• Galápagos Islands