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Lifespan of Charles Darwin
Charles Robert Darwin was born on April 12th, 1809 in Shrewberry, Shropshire, England. He lived to the age of 73, before succumbing to heart failure on 19 April 1882. -
On the Origin of Species
Darwin, Charles. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, Or, The Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life. London. J Murray, 1859, Print.
Darwin's book introduced evidence that he found in his Beagle expedition, which was conducted in the 1830s, and later works to include research, experimentation, and correspondence to justify his theory of evolution. His theory explains how species evolve over time by the process called natural selection. -
Natural Selection
Darwin explained that there were several basic tenets of evolution by natural selection:
1. More species are produced each generation can survive
2. Phenotypic variations exist among species and are inheritable
3. Species with heritable traits better suited for the environment will survive.
4. Reproductive isolation develops new species.
The published theory began the basis of evolutionary biology. His works sparked political, scientific, and religious debates. The theory was not accepted. -
The Descent of Man
A later work produced by Darwin which applies the evolutionary theory to human evolution. The work introduces "sexual selection" that describes that members of the same sex compete for mates of the opposite sex to mate with. Darwin, Charles. The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex. London: J Murray, 1871. Print. -
Darwin and Theory of Evolution Documentary
