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Thomas Robert Malthus - Principle of Population
In 1789 the Principle of Population was published. This theory states that Food increases Arithmeticly (in a straight line,) while populations increase Geometricly (slowly at first but picks up fast.) This eventually leads to the problem of a huge population with little food. The Principle of Population would later help Darwin determine the most adept of species or individuals within a species are more likely to survive and reproduce in times of hardship. -
Birth
Charles Darwin was born in Shrewsbury, England. -
The Beagles Voyage
On this day Darwin embarked on a voyage that would take five years and take him across the world. Darwin collected hundredths if not thousandths of different species samples from across South America, Australia, Africa, and many islands in between. He got very familiar with Charles Lyell's Principles of Geology which explained how the Earths' surface changes over long periods of time. -
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Darwin arrived at the Galapagos islands. Here he noticed a variety of finches (type of bird) from island to island. Some of these species could only be found on specific islands. By this time, Darwin had also encountered fossils from extinct giant species that resembled many of today's creatures. -
The Origin of Species
Darwin put all his research and discoveries together and came up with the theory of Natural Selection.
While working separately, Alfred Wallace also made the same discoveries. In 1859 The Origin of Species was published by Darwin and Wallace. This is the first publishing where the theory of Natural Selection was talked about in detail. -
Death
Charles Darwin died in Down House, London, England
