-
Birth
On this date, one of the greatest naturalists who gave so much to the scientific community was born. -
Departure of the HMS Beagle
On this date, Charles Darwin embarked on his journey aboard the vessel HMS Beagle. The expedition was a 5-year venture to chart the coastlines of South America. But Charles had plans to chart the natural world on land as the ship would survey the coast. This would mark the beginning of a great scientific discovery. Darwin did not know what would await him on the isolated islands that he would soon come to discover something that would change the scientific world for generations to come. -
Return of the HMS Beagle
Upon its return, Darwin had found many animals that he had kept detailed notes on and had many questions that he began to find the answers for. One such item, in particular, was how so many different looking animals had belonged to the same genetical pool. He began to search for the answers to why a population of birds had adapted to their environment when others differed but were still related. This was when his idea of evolution and natural selection began to formulate in his mind. -
Natural Selection Theory
Charles Darwin conceived of the theory of natural selection this year. The reasoning behind this theory was based on his voyage with the HMS Beagle. As he traveled the world he began to notice something odd about the life on the island's that he visited, specifically the Galapagos Islands. Now, Darwin was no expert in the field at this time but rather took his findings back to an ornithologist, who had told him something unexpected. -
Voyage of the Beagle
Darwin, Charles, -. Voyage of the Beagle. Project Gutenberg, 1997. Print. -
Voyage of the Beagle Description
Once Darwin had returned he began work on a log/book that had captured the moments of his travels with the Beagle. The book contained experiences that the naturalists had and observations that he had made during this time. The book doubled as both a scientific journal as well as an exciting account of the journey. This book continues to be printed up to today. -
Fellow of the Royal Society
-
The Structure and Distribution of Coral Reefs
Darwin, Charles, -, and Bonney, T. G. , -. The Structure and Distribution of Coral Reefs. 3d ed., with appendix by Prof. T.G. Bonney. D. Appleton and Co, 1896. Web. -
The Structure and Distribution of Coral Reefs Description
Darwin long theorized that the Earth's crust played a pivotal role in the formation of coral reefs. He published his theory in a monograph (The Structure and Distribution of Coral Reefs). In the years proceeding this publication the formation of reefs and atolls was a scientific mystery. The reason behind this publication was due to his journey on the HMS Beagle where he had found seashells that were 40 feet above sea level. -
Royal Society Royal Medal
This year Charles Darwin was awarded the Royal Society's Royal Medal for his accomplishment and work from the monograph "The Structure and Distribution of Coral Reefs". This was not the only reason that he was awarded the great honor but also for the work that he had done on barnacles and how he had brought a modern light to these sea creatures. The Royal Medal is awarded to only 3 people each year who provide important achievements to the world via natural knowledge. -
Fellow of the Linnean Society of London
-
Joint Effort of Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace
While Darwin was writing his thesis on natural selection it just so happened that he received a letter from Alfred Russel on the same exact topic. This lead to a collaboration on the efforts of this scientific theory and prompted both of them to release the Darwin-Wallace theory of evolution by natural selection. -
Wollaston Medal
The Wollaston Medal was awarded to Charles Darwin on the premise of geology. This medal is the highest award that could be granted upon an individual by the Geological Society of London. -
Origin of Species By Means of Natural Selection
Darwin, Charles. The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or, The Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life. London: John Murray, 1906. Print. -
Origin of Species By Means of Natural Selection Description
The publication date of Charles Darwin's book that theorized how populations of animals evolve through generations. In this book, he presented the readers with all of the information that he had gathered through his research abroad. He did this by stating that life was a branching pattern that gave rise to the common diversity that we see today. This book caused immense commotion within multiple communities who began to debate it. This, however, influenced the way we currently look at nature. -
Fertilisation of Orchids
Darwin, Charles. On the Various Contrivances by Which British and Foreign Orchids Are Fertilised by Insects: And on the Good Effects of Intercrossing. John Murray,, 1862. Web. -
Copley Medal
This Copley Medal is also provided by the Royal Society. The difference between this and the Royal Medal is that this medal is awarded for achievements in science that involved extensive research and also includes the physical and biological areas. -
The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex
Darwin, Charles. Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex. D. Appleton,, 1901. Web. -
The Effects of Cross and Self Fertilisation in the Vegetable Kingdom
Darwin, Charles. The Effects of Cross and Self Fertilisation in the Vegetable Kingdom. Place of publication not identified: publisher not identified, 1876. Print. -
Death
This was the day that the world lost an incredible mind that gave so much to the world and helped them realize where we come from.
