Charles Darwin (1809-1882)

  • Charles Darwin Born

    Charles Darwin is born at The Mount to Robert Darwin and Susannah Wedgwood.
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    Early Education

    Darwin attends Shrewsbury School as a boarder and hated the school. His views on the school is as he claimed, "narrow and classical".
  • Removed From School

    Charles Darwin was removed from school, he was deemed as unsuccessful. He spent his summer with his father on his doctor's rounds.
  • Edinburgh Society

    Darwin joins the Edinburgh Society, where he meets his most influential mentor, Robert Grant. Grant was a stalwart of the Plinian Society for student naturalists, which Charles Darwin joined in the autumn of 1826 on starting his second year of medical studies at Edinburgh University. Darwin became Grant's keenest student and assisted him with collecting specimens. reference: “Robert Edmond Grant.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 20 Mar. 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Edmond_Grant.
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    Cambridge

    Darwin entered Cambridge in 1828, only a few years later he sits in on his BA exams and passes. He was ranked 10 out of 178 candidates.
  • Darwin Naturalist Position

    Towards the summer of 1831, Darwin was offered a position as a naturalist on HMS Beagle with Britain. This is where he began documenting during his voyage, collecting samples along the way. Results included that the South American continent is gradually rising from the ocean. This is where his question formed that would change a lot of things: "How did different species form?"
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    Accomplishments

    Darwin had an accomplishing 3 years. He met geologist Lyell. Charles Darwin was much influenced by Lyell's Principles of Geology while aboard HMS Beagle. Darwin was elected to Athenaeum (The Athenaeum is a private members' club in London) then later to the Royal Society, and council of Royal Geographical Society. He also had "Structure and Distribution of Coral Reefs" published.
    ref: “Evolution: Library: Charles Lyell: Principles of Geology.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, 2001.
  • Darwin's Notebook

    Darwin kept a notebook collecting his thoughts and theories. This is where he accepted that species could evolve.
  • Darwin's Theory

    Darwin wrote a paper on what came to be known as evolution by natural selection, however, it was for his eyes only. He wrote a 35 page sketch.
  • Book on Voyage

    Darwin finished his last book describing the Beagle Voyage, where he named geographical observations on South America.
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    Scientific Breakthroughs?

    Darwin has begun conducting experiments to prove seeds, plants and animals can reach oceanic islands, where they might produce new species in geographic location. He also had a party, where he invited other naturalists to a weekend party where they discussed ideas on origins of species. After the party, he began writing. Additionally, extracts from his work was presented, then later published "On The Tendency of Species to Form Varieties".
  • Origin of Species

    Darwin writes his most famous, groundbreaking book "Origin of Species". This book upended the way we as human beings think about where we and other species come from. This also changed people's views on religion and they even began questioning if there was a god at all. This book also laid much of the groundwork of evolutionary biology. We are taught these views of "Darwinism" and natural selection in school today. Link to video: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfsUz2O2jww)
  • Origin of Species (reference)

    reference: “What Is Darwin's On the Origin of Species and Why Is It Significant?” Santa Cruz Galapagos Cruise, 28 Sept. 2020, www.santacruzgalapagoscruise.com/reactions-origin-of-species/. Moyer, Justin Wm. “Darwin's 'Origin of Species' Tops List of Most Important Academic Books.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 3 May 2019, www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/11/11/darwins-origin-of-species-tops-list-of-most-important-academic-books/.
  • Darwinism Takes Over

    The views on Darwinism begins to dominate views of the British Association.
  • Honorary Doctorate

    Cambridge bestows Darwin with an honorary doctorate of law.
  • Charles Darwin Passes Away

    Unfortunately, we do not live forever. Darwin had a heart attack on Christmas day and later caused many seizures. He then passed away at home a few months later.