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Charles Darwin 1809
Charles Darwin was born in Shrewsbury, England -
University of Edinburgh
Darwin attended the University of Edinburgh as a medical student for two years to follow in his father's footsteps of becoming a physician. Ultimately, he dropped out as he lacked interest in this field and could not stand the sight of blood. -
Christ's College, Cambridge
In the fall of 1827 Darwin returned back to school at Christ's College a school of the University of Cambridge where he pursued his higher education in theology and natural sciences. He ended up with his Bachelor of Arts and later on his Master of Arts. -
HMS Beagle Embarks
On December 27th, 1831, Darwin embarked on a five-year journey on the HMS Beagle hired on as a naturalist. Although hired on to survey the South American coastline, Darwin found time to conduct his own studies. -
HMS Beagle Returns
"As far as I can judge of myself I worked to the utmost during the voyage from the mere pleasure of investigation, and from my strong desire to add a few facts to the great mass of facts in natural science" (Darwin p. 47). This voyage gave him the opportunity to collect specimens, species, and fossils that he would bring back to England to further study. -
On the Origin of Species
After years of work, much of which went back to his time on the HMS Beagle, Darwin published On the Origin of Species. He presented his views on evolution and that species changed over time. Although widely popular his booked also sparked much controversy with religious sects as it claimed the earth was much older than 6,000 years.