Charles Darwin

Charles Robert Darwin (12 February 1809–19 April 1882) was a British naturalist who achieved lasting fame as originator of the theory of evolution through natural and sexual selection.

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12 February - 1809 - 19 April - 1882 - British - Naturalist - Theory - Evolution - Natural - Sexual selection

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He developed his interest in natural history while studying first medicine, then theology, at university. Darwin's five-year voyage on HMS Beagle brought him eminence as a geologist and fame as a popular author. His biological observations led him to study transmutation of species and develop his theory of natural selection in 1838. Fully aware of the likely reaction, he confided only in close friends and researched to meet anticipated objections, but in 1858 the information that Alfred Russel Wallace now had a similar theory forced early joint publication of Darwin's theory.

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Theology - Five-year voyage - HMS ''Beagle'' - Geologist - Biological - Transmutation of species - Alfred Russel Wallace - Publication of Darwin's theory

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His 1859 book The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or The Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life (usually abbreviated to The Origin of Species) established evolution by common descent as the dominant scientific theory of diversification in nature. He was made a Fellow of the Royal Society, continued his research, and wrote a series of books on plants and animals, now including mankind in The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex and The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals. His last book was about earthworms.

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The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or The Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life - Common descent - Scientific theory - Fellow of the Royal Society - The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex - The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals - Earthworm

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In recognition of Darwin's pre-eminence, he was buried in Westminster Abbey, close to Sir William Herschel and Sir Isaac Newton.

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Westminster Abbey - Sir William Herschel - Sir Isaac Newton

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