-
Youth and motivations
Charles Darwin was born in Shrewsbury England. He is born to a very wealthy and prestigious family. His father was a well renown doctor and his mother was the daughter of a famous pottery owner to further contribute to the Darwin wealth. (Ruse, 2008, p.2) -
Education and interests
Darwin attended Edinburgh medical university. However, the sight of blood caused him to grow sick, in conjunction with his general lack of interest he eventually dropped out in 1827. During this time he did gain a large interest in animal life, fossils and other forms of zoology. These factors contribute greatly into motivating Darwin to begin his interest into evolutionary theory. (Darwin, 1887, p28-31) -
The long voyage
Darwin is offered to mount the HMS Beagle which would travel along the South American coast for almost 5 years. During this time, the boat would stop at multiple ports allowing for Darwin to collect a variety of different species of animals and other fossils.(Darwin, 1887, p.41-48) -
The Galapagos islands
Considered Darwin's greatest influence into natural selection is attributed to the Galapagos islands. His interest in the Finches and their beak shape and sizes inspired his idea of animals adapting to their environment to increase the likelihood of survival. This idea of thinking also developed the creation and study of ecology. (Ruse, 2008, p.26-31) -
On the origin of species
Darwin collected more than 20 years worth of evidence to support his theory of natural selection. Upon release it garnered a lot of controversy and debate due to the negative religious implications it caused.(Darwin, 1887, p 71-72) With time it became one of the most influential biological book ever written. -
Darwin death and impact
By the time of Darwin's death he published 14 different books which impacted the scientific community by introducing the ideas of ecology, natural selection, and evolution which changed the scientific community forever . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfsUz2O2jww&list=LL&index=2&ab_channel=CrashCourse