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Charles Robert Darwin
Charles Robert Darwin is an English naturalist, geologist and biologist, best known for his contributions to the science of evolution. He transformed the way we understand the natural world with ideas that, in his day, were nothing short of revolutionary. He and his fellow pioneers in the field of biology gave us insight into the fantastic diversity of life on Earth and its origins, including our own as a species. -
The Voyage of the Beagle
CPT Robert FitzRoy was looking for a naturalist as a companion during its voyage to circumnavigate the earth and Darwin accepted the opportunity. Until 2 October 1836, Darwin spent most of his time on land studying plants, animals, fossils and geological formations. He made several important finds during the voyage including that of gigantic fossils of extinct mammals, then known only from a very few specimens. Darwin’s work during the voyage established him as an eminent geologist. -
The Origin of Species
The Origin of Species By Means of Natural Selection was published. In it Darwin theorized how populations evolve over the course of generations through natural selection and presented evidence he had gathered during the years that indicated diversity of life arose by common descent through a branching pattern of evolution. Written in non-technical language, it attracted widespread attention and sparked scientific, philosophical and religious debates.
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The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex
In 1871, Darwin’s book The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex was published. The book extended the theory of natural selection to human evolution and suggested that humans and apes share a common ancestor. It also introduced the concept of sexual selection to explain conspicuous physical traits (such as pronounced coloration, increased size, or striking adornments) in animals. -
The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals
Darwin’s most important work which was published in 1872. One of the first books to be illustrated with photographs, it is considered Darwin’s main contribution to psychology. In it Darwin traces animal origins of human characteristics to establish a continuity of emotions and expressions between humans and animals. The most important book by Darwin on botany is The Power of Movement in Plants, which was considerably influential in modern study of plant growth.