A Brilliant man with Brilliant ideas
Charles Darwin is a British naturalist and geologist who developed the theory of evolution and changed the way we perceive human existence. His concept of organisms sharing common ancestors was based on evidence that he collected over a long period of time, part of the evidence from a voyage he went to the Galapagos Islands near South America where he witnessed a variety of different animal species. He published a book called “The Origin of Species which contained his theory backed with evidence. Darwin also contributed to our understanding of natural selection through his theory of evolution. He died on April 19, 1882, in London.
Early life
Charles Robert Darwin was born in February 12, 1809, in Shrewsbury, England. He was the second youngest of six children and came from a long line of scientists. His father, Dr. R.W. Darwin, was as a medical doctor and his grandfather, Dr. Erasmus Darwin, was a renowned botanist. Unfortunately, his mother, Susanna died when he was only 8 years old. Darwin was a very fortunate child as he was brought up in a wealthy and privileged family who loved to explore nature.
In October 1825, at age 16, Charles Darwin enrolled at Edinburgh University to follow a medical career as his father hoped but later moved to divinity at Cambridge. In 1831, he joined a five year scientific expedition on the survey ship HMS Beagle. Although his father hoped he would follow his footsteps to become a medical doctor, Darwin was far more interested in studying natural history.
Voyage on the HMS Beagle
On December 27, 1831, Charles Darwin began his journey on the HMS Beagle. Knowing that the voyage would take up to 5 years, Darwin spent most of that time on land, investigating geology and making collections of “natural history” specimens. Over the course of the trip, Darwin collected a variety of natural specimens, which he then used for research and experimentation. Natural specimens such as the unusual marine iguana, tortoises and finches on the Galapagos Islands in the pacific made him perplexed, since similar, yet rather distinct, forms of the same animals were found on separate islands. These thoughts would led to his legendary ideas on evolution.
Upon his return to England in 1836, Darwin began to write up his findings in the Journal of Researches. He also complied all the accounts from his voyage. There, Darwin received a letter from naturalist Alfred Wallace, who had similar thoughts and observations about evolution (individually). Together, they collaborated and published a report in 1858. Darwin publicized the theory of evolution in his famous book, “The Origin of Species by Natural Selection”, in 1859.
Since most people were very Orthodox or Catholic and believed that the Earth was created by God in 7 days, the book became controversial and his theories and proposals were neglected. However, in later years, it was embraced by many biologists.
Contributions
Darwin’s research and observations contributed greatly to our understanding of human existence. Many naturalists believed that all species both came into being at the start of the world and therefore, believed to remain much the same throughout time. Darwin however, saw similarities among species around the globe and believed that they had gradually evolved from common ancestors. He came to believe that species survived through a process called "natural selection," where species that were able to survive in their environment lived longer and reproduce whereas those who could not, died early and did not reproduce. This concept greatly contributed to our understanding of his other theory of evolution and how species survived.
Death
Charles Darwin died at his family home in London, on April 19, 1882, and was buried at Westminster Abbey near to the tomb of Isaac Newton.
Charles Darwin is a British naturalist and geologist who developed the theory of evolution and changed the way we perceive human existence. His concept of organisms sharing common ancestors was based on evidence that he collected over a long period of time, part of the evidence from a voyage he went to the Galapagos Islands near South America where he witnessed a variety of different animal species. He published a book called “The Origin of Species which contained his theory backed with evidence. Darwin also contributed to our understanding of natural selection through his theory of evolution. He died on April 19, 1882, in London.
Early life
Charles Robert Darwin was born in February 12, 1809, in Shrewsbury, England. He was the second youngest of six children and came from a long line of scientists. His father, Dr. R.W. Darwin, was as a medical doctor and his grandfather, Dr. Erasmus Darwin, was a renowned botanist. Unfortunately, his mother, Susanna died when he was only 8 years old. Darwin was a very fortunate child as he was brought up in a wealthy and privileged family who loved to explore nature.
In October 1825, at age 16, Charles Darwin enrolled at Edinburgh University to follow a medical career as his father hoped but later moved to divinity at Cambridge. In 1831, he joined a five year scientific expedition on the survey ship HMS Beagle. Although his father hoped he would follow his footsteps to become a medical doctor, Darwin was far more interested in studying natural history.
Voyage on the HMS Beagle
On December 27, 1831, Charles Darwin began his journey on the HMS Beagle. Knowing that the voyage would take up to 5 years, Darwin spent most of that time on land, investigating geology and making collections of “natural history” specimens. Over the course of the trip, Darwin collected a variety of natural specimens, which he then used for research and experimentation. Natural specimens such as the unusual marine iguana, tortoises and finches on the Galapagos Islands in the pacific made him perplexed, since similar, yet rather distinct, forms of the same animals were found on separate islands. These thoughts would led to his legendary ideas on evolution.
Upon his return to England in 1836, Darwin began to write up his findings in the Journal of Researches. He also complied all the accounts from his voyage. There, Darwin received a letter from naturalist Alfred Wallace, who had similar thoughts and observations about evolution (individually). Together, they collaborated and published a report in 1858. Darwin publicized the theory of evolution in his famous book, “The Origin of Species by Natural Selection”, in 1859.
Since most people were very Orthodox or Catholic and believed that the Earth was created by God in 7 days, the book became controversial and his theories and proposals were neglected. However, in later years, it was embraced by many biologists.
Contributions
Darwin’s research and observations contributed greatly to our understanding of human existence. Many naturalists believed that all species both came into being at the start of the world and therefore, believed to remain much the same throughout time. Darwin however, saw similarities among species around the globe and believed that they had gradually evolved from common ancestors. He came to believe that species survived through a process called "natural selection," where species that were able to survive in their environment lived longer and reproduce whereas those who could not, died early and did not reproduce. This concept greatly contributed to our understanding of his other theory of evolution and how species survived.
Death
Charles Darwin died at his family home in London, on April 19, 1882, and was buried at Westminster Abbey near to the tomb of Isaac Newton.