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The 19th Century
Charles Darwin was born into and lived during the 19th which was a time of many scientific discoveries and achievements. -
Date of Birth
Charles Darwin was born in Shrewsbury on February 12th, 1809. Darwin was born into a rich family with well known grandparents Josiah Wedgwood and Erasmus Darwin. Having Erasmus Darwin as a grandfather set Darwin up into having a career in science since Erasmus was a well known Physician. (Thomas 134) This event is significant because Charles Darwin was to come up with the one of the world's most significant theories, the Theory of Natural Selection. -
Napoleon's "Hundred Days"
The "Hundred Days" is the time period in which Napoleon escaped the Island of Elba and regained controll of France in February. His rule of about 100 days ended at the Battle of Waterloo. (Smitha) -
Missouri Compromise
Missouri Compromise was proposed in order for the U.S. to have an equal amount of free states and slave states allowing Maine (free state) and Missouri (slave state) to become states in the U.S. (U.S. History Timeline) -
The University of Cambridge
Sometime in October of 1828 Charles Darwin decided to go to the University of Cambridge to study and become a clergyman. During the time he spent there, he realized that he didn't want to be a clergyman as he once thought he did. If Darwin hadn't realized this he might not have become a naturalist as he did. (Stevens 114) This event is significant because it is what made Darwin choose his career as a naturalist instead of a Clergyman of the church. -
The Beagle Voyage
Soon after leaving Cambridge, about one year, Charles Darwin went on a voyage of a lifetime aboard the HMS Beagle. This journey provided the basis of Darwin's research on his most important discovery, the Theory of Natural Selection. If he had turned it down, he may not have come up with the theory at all. (Thomas 133) This event is significant because it provided the basis information of Charles's Theory of Natural Selection and his "Origin of Species" book. -
Married Emma Wedgwood
Emma Wedgwood was Charles Darwin's first cousin and wife. Emma was a very religous women and might have been one reason why her husband, Charles, waited so long to publish his Origin of Species book. It is said that he waited so long to try not to upset his wive, his work contradicted her religous beliefs. (Krulwich)
This event is significant because the Theory of Natural Selection, Darwin's greatest discovery, might have not been published or writen about at all. -
Published Geoglogical Observations in the Volcanic Islands visted during the Voyage of HMS Beagle
This book was a published sometime in 1844 by Charles Darwin himself. This book was one of the first works published by Darwin about his findings during the Beagle Voyage. It also is one of the first works by Charles Darwin hinting about Natural Selection. (Darwin Correspondence) This event is significant because it is the beginning or brainstorming of Charles Darwin's discoveries on his journey aboard the HMS Beagle. This was also the first time he wrote about the Theory of Natural Selection. -
Irish Potato Famine
Time period in Ireland where millions lost their lives due to a mold that causes potato crop failures all over Europe. In Ireland the staple crop/food was potatoes and because of this, starvation killed many in Ireland. (Smitha) -
California Goldrush
Started in Sutter's Mill in California and reaches its peak in 1849. Gold was discovered first by James W. Marshell at Sutter's Mill in California while constructing a saw mill. (U.S. History Timeline) -
The Death of Robert Waring Darwin
Robert Waring Darwin was the devoted father of Charles Darwin. On November 13th, 1848 he died relatively young. This death cause Darwin to have to leave his work and have to return to his hometown to go to his funeral. (Browne) This event is significant because it delayed Charles Darwin's work on the Theory of Natural Selection because the death caused Darwin to take a break from his work. -
The Beginning of Charles Darwin writing his ideas on Natural Selection
During the year 1856, Charles Darwin began to compose his ideas for one of the greatest scientific discoveries, the Theory of Natural Selection. These ideas he began to write were only the beginning of his most famous published book (Browne), (Clark 95). This event is significant because this was the official start of Charles Darwin coming up with his Theory of Natural Selection. The ideas he wrote down were the basis of what the book was comrpised of. -
Recieves Alfred Russel Wallace's letter
Sometime during the month of June, 1858 Charles Darwin recieved a letter from Alfred Russel Wallace. In this letter Wallace writes to Darwin on how similar of ideas they have.This letter is also another reason why Darwin decides to publish his ideas (Browne). This event is significant because it was the final urge and push for Charles Darwin to publish his Theory of Natural Selection. If Alfred has not sent this letter the theory might have never been published at all. -
Published On the Origin of Species by means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life
On November 24th, 1859 Charle's Darwin finally published his findings on the Theory of Natural Selection. With the help of Alfred Russel Wallace, the book was created. This book and theory was thought of as "the key to understanding the whole universe' (Karp 144)
This event is significant because it, out of all his other discoveries and works, was the most important. His theory provided the basic structure of what scientists today know about evolution. -
U.S. Civil War
War between the Northern and Southern part of the U.S. This war was fought over many things but, mainly, was over the abolishment of slavery. This war continued until 1865 when the South surrended to the North keeoing the country united (U.S History Timeline). -
End of Slavery in the U.S.
The end of slavery in the U.S signified the end of the Civil War. This was official when the 13th ammendment was ratified to the Constitution. Though slavery was ended, most African Americans were still treated as if they were slaves (U.S History Timeline) -
Date of Death
Charles Darwin died on April 19th, 1882 at the age of 73. Darwin had poor health at the end of his life and had multiple heart attacks in the past. In the end, one last fatal heart attack killed him. (Browne) This event is significant because even though he died, his legacy still lives on through is important and useful scientific discoveries.
