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Born
Charles Darwin was born in Shrewsbury, UK. He had one brother and three sisters [Francis, pg 15]
Image:
John Collier, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons -
Born
Charles Darwin was born in Shrewsbury, United Kingdom -
His peak interest in Science
Charles and his older brother enjoyed doing chemistry experiments at home [Francis, pg19] -
Peak Interests in Science
Darwin and his older brother enjoyed doing chemistry experiments at home [Francis, pg 19] -
School and Interests
Feeling the pressure do Darwin's family, he attempted to attend medical school. Falling short to fill his father's wishes for him to be a doctor, he got bored with the medical courses and was said to feel ill at the sight of blood, he quit and then enrolled into the University of Cambridge. -
School and Interests
Attempting to follow in his father's foot steps to become a doctor, he attend medical courses and did some practicing, but Darwin fell short and got bored with the medical studies and it was said he would become ill at the sight of blood, he ended his medical path. He enrolled in the University of Cambridge [Francis, pg 19-20]. -
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His time at the University of Cambridge
While attending the University of Cambridge Darwin became friends with some other locals whose interests were in science. He even joined some groups that helped stimulate his mind more than the school studies did. Darwin begin collecting insects to study, which lead to his path of being a naturalist and a geologist. He also became fascinated with Zoology and finally graduated in 1831 [Francis, pg 21-22]. -
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His travels onboard the HMS Beagle
Darwin spent five years as the lead naturalist/geologist of the warship, HMS Beagle. As the ship traveled the coast of South America, throughout the journey Darwin collected many things including bones that would become apart of his famous theory later [Francis, pg 25]. -
Notes on Natural Selection started
Darwin began keeping notes of his insight on the origin and relationship of species [Francis, pg 25-28]. During this time is when Darwin's illness started and he would get sick, run a high fever at times, and even be so exhausted he could not get out of bed. This lasted over many years and was unsure of how this began [Francis, pg 29].
Image:
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/jul/30/origin-of-the-species-where-did-darwins-finches-come-from -
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Books published about his journey on the HMS Beagle
Darwin wrote a three part book of his adventures and encounters on the Beagle, He called it "The Geology of the Voyage of the Beagle" [Francis, pg 25]. All of the books were published. -
Receiving an Top Honor Scientist Award
The Royal Society awarded Darwin with the Royal medal for his remarkable work [Francis, pg 30]. -
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The "Big Book on Species"
Darwin wrote a 5 hundred page book explaining his theory of species, but the book was not published [Francis, pg 33]. In 1858 Darwin received a letter from a fellow naturalist seeking Darwin's opinion on his research. After reading the letter, he discovered Wallace had wrote a similar theory to Darwin's on how the transmutation in species causes them to evolve from their ancestors [Francis, pg 36]. Although there was many before Darwin's time that questioned this subject as well [Francis, pg 43] -
Published by John Murray
Shortly before John Murray received a copy of Darwin's work, Wallace agreed to let Charles take the lead on this theory [Francis, pg 36]. Murray proposed to Darwin that he would publish a summarized form of his explanation on his theory. Within this finished book he included his early notes from the 1830's and even some writing he had from the 1840's [Francis, pg 36]. The first day the book was out all copies were bought, which made this the highlight of Darwin's career [Francis, pg 36]. -
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Aftermath of "The Origins of Species"
Darwin wrote a total of 6 editions of this first book. He's intentions were to explain his theories more in depth [Francis, pg 56]. Although Darwin's theory was not given the proper credit until many years later around the 1900's and beyond [Francis, pg 63]. He ended up writing a total of "8 scientific books; five on botany; one on zoology; one on domesticated species combining zoology and botany; and one that combined zoology, psychology, sociology, and anthropology" [Francis, pg 37]. -
The Sequel Book
Darwin wrote a sequel to his "Origin of Species" called "The Descent of Man" which was not a popular as his other published work. It explained the evolution of man, it is still a conservatory topic even in today's world, it also had a few editions of the book as well. Darwin, Charles. “The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex, Vol. I.” The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex, Vol. I, Project Gutenberg. -
Died but still lives on through his work
Darwin died in Downe, UK in 1881, but his work still lives on [Francis, pg 36]. His last book was published in 1881 as well titled "Formation of Vegetable Mould" which in the end was another chance to explain his beliefs on evolution and that even "small change over time can cause major change" [Francis, pg 57].
