Time line

By 1239876

  • Alfred Russel Wallace

    Contribution: Wallace, a contemporary of Darwin, independently developed the theory of evolution through natural selection. His work further supported the idea that species evolve, reinforcing the rejection of creationism.
    Key Finding: Wallace’s contributions added further evidence to the theory of evolution and natural selection.

  • Charles Darwin

    Contribution: Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection, outlined in On the Origin of Species (1859), proposed that species evolve over time through a gradual process of variation and selection, not through divine creation. This theory directly challenged creationist views.
    Key Finding: Evolution explains the diversity of life through natural processes, which contradicted creationism.

  • Thomas Henry Huxley

    Contribution: Known as "Darwin's Bulldog," Huxley strongly defended Darwin's theory in public debates, particularly in his famous debate with Samuel Wilberforce, who was a proponent of creationism.
    Key Finding: Huxley argued scientifically for evolution and against creationism, helping shift public opinion toward Darwin’s ideas.

  • Gregory Mendel

    Contribution: Mendel’s experiments on pea plants, which established the principles of heredity, provided a genetic basis for evolution. His work, rediscovered in the early 20th century, reinforced the theory of evolution by explaining how traits are inherited.
    Key Finding: Mendelian genetics provided a mechanism for how traits are passed on, which supported evolutionary theory over creationism.

  • The Modern Synthesis

    Contribution: A group of scientists, including Ronald Fisher, J.B.S. Haldane, and Sewall Wright, integrated Darwinian evolution with Mendelian genetics. This synthesis provided a unified framework for understanding evolution in genetic terms.
    Key Finding: The Modern Synthesis expanded on Darwin’s ideas, reinforcing that evolution is a scientific fact, not a theological concept.

  • The Discovery of DNA

    Contribution: James Watson and Francis Crick discovered the structure of DNA, which provided a molecular mechanism for evolution. This discovery further reinforced the idea that life evolved through natural processes.
    Key Finding: The genetic code revealed how traits are inherited, giving strong support to the theory of evolution.