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Date of Birth
Charles Darwin was born February 12, 1809 in Shrewsbury, England. He was the second youngest of six children. His father, Dr. R.W. Darwin, was a medical doctor and his mother, Susanna, died when he Charles was eight years old. Charles Darwin. 28 Aug. 2019, www.biography.com/scientist/charles-darwin. -
University of Edinburgh
Darwin enrolled in medical school at the University of Edinburgh. He soon realized that he would be unable to complete the program due to a surgery he had witnessed that took place on a child and unenrolled from the school. He later returned to college enrolling at the University of Cambridge, where he studied theology. Lotzof, Kerry. “Charles Darwin: History's Most Famous Biologist.” Natural History Museum, www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/charles-darwin-most-famous-biologist.html. -
Began voyage on the HMS Beagle
Darwin began a five year voyage aboard the HMS Beagle. He was the naturalist on the ship during those five years. He studied plants, animals and fossils. This trip not only changed his life and way of thinking, but took Western scientific thinking to a new area of study. Lotzof, Kerry. “Charles Darwin: History's Most Famous Biologist.” Natural History Museum, www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/charles-darwin-most-famous-biologist.html. -
Charles Darwin established his theory of Natural Selection
After returning from his five year trip as a naturalist, Darwin declared that he had a new theory of evolution and it was an opposite belief of what other naturalists of the time believed about evolution. Charles Darwin. 28 Aug. 2019, www.biography.com/scientist/charles-darwin. -
Returned from his five year voyage
Darwin returned to England in 1836. He began writing about his findings and what he studied those years aboard the ship. His writings were later published in what is known as Zoology of the Voyage of the Beagle. His views of natural history changed during this trip and he began to have a new theory on evolution and how things were created. Lotzof, Kerry. “Charles Darwin: History's Most Famous Biologist.” Natural History Museum, www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/charles-darwin-most-famous-biologist.html. -
Theory of Evolution
Darwin believed that species survive through natural selection. Some species adapt to their surroundings and certain climates, thrive and reproduce. While other species would not survive and therefore would die off. Charles studied fossils, birds, and plants and came to the revolution that common species today evolved from common ancestors. Lotzof, Kerry. “Charles Darwin: History's Most Famous Biologist.” Natural History Museum, www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/charles-darwin-most-famous-biologist.html. -
On the Origin of Species
Charles published his highly controversial book, On the Origin of Species. Darwin upset members of the Church of England when this book was published. His views on evolution contradicted the views of the church and divine creation and was declared as blasphemy. It however became quickly sought after and a best-selling book. Lotzof, Kerry. “Charles Darwin: History's Most Famous Biologist.” Natural History Museum, www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/charles-darwin-most-famous-biologist.html. -
The Descent of Man, and the Selection in Relation to Sex
The Descent of Man, and the Selection in Relation to Sex was published in 1871. Charles writes, "The sole object of this work is to consider, firstly, whether man, like every other species, is descended from some pre-existing form; secondly, the manner of his development; and thirdly, the value of the differences between the so-called races of man." “The Descent of Man by Darwin.” The British Library, The British Library, 11 Apr. 2014, www.bl.uk/collection-items/the-descent-of-man-by-darwin. -
Date of Death
Charles Darwin died April 19, 1882 at his home in London. Darwin is buried at Westminster Abbey. Charles Darwin. 28 Aug. 2019, www.biography.com/scientist/charles-darwin.
