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Charles Robert Darwin, born in Shrewsbury, England
Charles is born The Mount, Shrewsbury, in Shropshire, England.
He was named after his uncle, and his father Robert.
His father and grandfather on his father's side were medical doctors.
His mother came from a family of famous potters (Wedgwood). -
Charles' mother, Susannah Wedgwood, dies. Charles is 8yrs old.
Charles' mother helped inspire his interest in Botany. When he was young she showed him how to change the colour of flowers by adding die to the water. She used to take him to Mass each Sunday. -
Charles attends Shrewsbury Grammar School
Charles studies Greek and Roman, and Grammar, but is not a model student and does not enjoy his time at Shrewsbury. He developed a love for Shakespeare and Byron. He and his older brother Erasmus set up a chemistry lab in the tool shed at the end of the garden, and during this time Charles enjoyed learning about the basic principles of scientific experimentation. -
Charles studies Medicine at Edinburgh University
Robert Darwin was frustrated at Charles' lack of academic achievement at Shrewsbury and decided to send him to study Medicine with his older brother at Edinburgh University. Charles was, again, not a model student, and did not enjoy the sight of blood! Charles learnt the art of taxidermy while he was here. -
Charles studies to become a clergyman at Cambridge
Charles was enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts at Cambridge University, and during this time he attended Botany lectures by Professor John Henslow, and saw the beginning of his career in natural sciences. Professor Henslow recommended him for the position of naturalist on board The Beagle. -
Charles embarks on H.M.S. Beagle
Captain Robert Fitzroy leads the ship on an amazing voyage to South America, Australia and New Zealand. The voyage was only planned for 2 years, but it actually took 5. Darwin collected over 1500 specimens from around the world, and made observations which helped form his Theory of Evolution. -
H.M.S.Beagle visits Sydney!
Darwin was fascinated by the unique animals (esp. the platypus) in the Australian habitat, and decided there must have been a separate creation for this continent! He also studied the geology of Tasmania. -
Begins publication of The Zoology of the Voyage of the Beagle.
Darwin spent the next 2 years studying the specimens he had collected on the voyage, and working with other expert scientists. John Gould pointed out that many of the birds he had identified as different species were actually all Finches. Darwin began thinking about "transmutation" (evolution). -
Marries Emma Wedgwood, his cousin.
Charles married Emma Wedgwood, his first cousin at St. Peter's Church, Maer. They lived in London for 2 years before moving to Downe House in Kent. They shared a wonderful marriage and were blessed with 10 children. One of their daughters died within 3 weeks of birth, and later on, another daughter Annie, who was 10, died after showing symptoms similar to a disease her father had suffered from after he returned from the Beagle. It was devastating for Charles, who was a devoted father. -
On the Origin of Species Published
After working on his theory of 'transmutation' for 20 years, Charles was pushed into finally publishing it because a colleague, Alfred Russel Wallace, sent him an essay outlining the same theory. Darwin passed the letter on to Professor Lyell, who was aware of Darwin's own work, and suggested that both articles be published at the same time, so both scientists would receive credit for their work. -
Charles Darwin Dies, Age 73.
In 1881, Darwin became bored as his life's work was essentially complete. He began to experience chest pains over several months, and eventually passed away in his bed at Downe house, with his family present. He was buried at Westminster abbey, next to his friend Sir John Herschel, on 26th April, 1882.
