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Birth in Shrewsbury
Charles Darwin was born on February 12, 1809 in Shrewsbury, England. His father, Robert, was a financier and physician and had high expectations and clear plans for his son’s future. Darwin was tutored at his home with his siblings until at an early age he attended a day-school in Shrewsbury where he studied for seven years. During Darwin’s early years his love for the natural world became increasingly apparent. But, the ambition of his father seemed to dominate his future. -
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Who was Charles Darwin? Video Resource
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University Years
At 16 Darwin’s father sent him to Edinburgh University to study medicine. Darwin accepted the guidance of his father and studied for approximately two years at Edinburgh. However, Darwin’s interest and proclivity for the natural sciences – which had followed him throughout his life – proved too strong. His desire to pursue his own interests, coupled with the realization that his father’s inheritance would be sufficient, enticed Darwin to give up the medical profession. -
Publication of The Voyage of the Beagle
Captain Robert Fitz Roy was overseeing a marine expedition and needed a naturalist, Darwin volunteered. In his work after the expedition returned, Darwin provides in minute detail an account of his findings and observations. Darwin was so successful on the voyage His surveys were comprehensive, according to John van Wyhe his attention was to an “examination of microscopic plankton to the surveying and reconstructing of the geological history of entire continents and ocean basins.” -
The Theory Develops
During this voyage Darwin’s life work began to take shape and throughout his journey his observations would inform his future ideas. Upon his return he collected thousands of specimens and a well-worn travel diary of observations. Darwin spent the next ten years to organize his specimens and label them in his careful and detailed manner. The idea of biological change and adaptation through natural selection continued to grow and seemed to dominate the young Darwin’s thoughts and conversations. -
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Charles Darwin & His Legacy: Video Resources
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On the Origin of Species
In 1854 Darwin began to focus every more effort on his theory. In 1858, after finishing approximately half of his seminal work, he experienced a push for even greater expediency when he received a letter and an essay from Alfred Russel Wallace. In his correspondence Russel expressed an idea very similar to Darwin’s explanation of the origin of new species and varieties. It is natural to assume that this push was what Darwin needed to finalize his work and publish his theory. -
Death and burial in Westminster Abbey
Darwin was respected during his life as a naturalist and scientific thinker. He his days happily pursuing his interests and was surrounded by his family and friends upon his death in 1882.
When he died many scientists and clergymen petitioned to have his body laid to rest in a place of honor in Westminster Abbey. And so, he was buried directly by Sir Isaac Newton. And it has been said that Newton “led the way, doing in physics what Darwin was to do in biology” (Ruse 2008.)