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Charles Darwin is Born
Darwin was born in Shrewsburry, Shropshire, England. His father was a doctor and his mother passed away when he was eight years old. Darwin's career path followed closely to his grandfather, Erasmus Darwin, was a physician, inventor and poet who had developed his own theory of evolution. -
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HMS Beagle Voyage
In 1831, Darwin was given the opportunity to undergo a voyage around the coast of South America through one of his professors. Throughout the five year voyage, he was able to collect plant and animal specimens and make many observations about the environment. For example, he noticed that finches on different islands had different traits, allowing them to survive in their environments. Additionally, he found dead mussel beds above the tide, suggesting that the land shifts. -
On the Origin of Species
After his voyage, Darwin continued to expand his notes, make observations on the environment and develop his theories. He published his finalized theories in his book. Because it was written at a level of understanding of the general public, it allowed everyone to learn how nature truly works. His main theories, which became the basis of evolution, state that all species come from a common ancestor and that evolution occurs through the process of natural selection. -
Charles Darwin Dies