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Reference for Entries
Lotzof, K. (2018). Charles Darwin: Histories most famous Biologist. Retrieved from: http://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/charles-darwin-most-famous-biologist.html -
Birth and Family
Charles Darwin was born in Shrewsbury, England as the fifth grandchild of the famous philosopher Erasmus Darwin, an evolutionist who used poetry to communicate his beliefs in evolution. Erasmus had already passed away by Charles' birth, but helped to lay a foundation of work related to evolution. Writings such as the Laws of Organic Nature and Zoonomia influenced Charles early in his childhood and forced him to question his beliefs in classical theology. -
Voyaged Aboard the HMS Beagle
Darwin was given an invitation by Captain Robert FitzRoy of the HMS Beagle. The ship was in need of a naturalist and Darwin had been recommended by a Cambridge Botanist named John Stevens Henslow. The voyage lasted 5 years, first following the upper coast of Africa, then cutting across to South America. From there, the ship followed the coastline around to the Galapagos Islands before crossing over to Australia and then following the lower African coastline before heading back to England. -
Origin of Species Published
More than 20 years after the initial completion of his Voyages on the Beagle, Darwin publishes his findings in the book Origin of Species. This work helped to fill gaps that were previously missing in the early theories of evolution. Darwin and Evolution -
Death and Legacy
Most of Darwin's work wouldn't be realized and accepted until well after his death and even today his theories on evolution and idea of natural selection continue to be questioned. However, natural selection gives us a plausible groundwork as to how species evolve. That is, only those species who are the strongest and most capable adapters will ultimately end up flourishing the most on our evolutionary timeline.