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Period: 99 BCE to 50 BCE
Theory similar to Darwin’s in antiquity
The Roman poet Titus Lucretius wrote that a source in antiquity proposed a theory of the gradual origin of living beings from atomic chaos through an undirected process that sorts out the best adapted forms and eliminates those not suited to their conditions. -
Birth of British physician Erasmus Darwin (Charles Darwin’s grandfather)
Erasmus Darwin wrote about species development in “Zoonomia, or the Laws of Organic Life” in the late 1700s, resulting in shaming for his radical ideas. (Others were his anti-slavery ideas.) Though Erasmus died in 1802 before Charles was born, surely this family tradition contributed to the formation of Charles’ ideas on natural evolution & abolition of slavery. Charles wasn't a philosopher but is the subject of massive philosophical scholarship, partly due to his many journals. -
Charles Darwin begins study at University of Edinburgh (Scotland) & later Cambridge
Darwin was a medical student at Edinburgh, where he befriended comparative anatomist Robert Grant, who exposed Darwin to the "transformist" theories of Jean Baptiste Lamarck on the gradual progression of living forms from simple to complex. He disliked medicine, so he switched to Christ’s College, Cambridge, to study to be a clergyman (a profession thought compatible with scientific study), an ironic choice since he later was controversial for doubting Christian tenets. -
Darwin’s begins 5-year voyage on HMS Beagle
With funding from his wealthy father, Darwin accepted an offer to travel as a naturalist, collector & companion to the captain. He spent much time on land observing humans, animals, plants & geology. In Brazil, he was revolted by witnessing the cruelties of slavery. The ship traveled around the world, moving south of South America before going to the Galapagos Islands, then west to Tahiti & New Zealand, then south of Africa & to Brazil again before going home via the Canary Islands. -
Darwin married his cousin Emma Wedgwood
The couple were married in an Anglican ceremony with Unitarian touches. Darwin had told Emma his theories before their marriage—she worried they would not be together in heaven because of them. -
News from competitor Alfred Russel Wallace
A letter was received from Darwin's colleague Alfred Russel Wallace with his ideas on continuous species change due to the selection of natural variations. As a result, Darwin accelerated and generalized his hard work on his upcoming book “On the Origin of Species.” -
First edition of Darwin’s “On the Origin of Species”
After analyzing for over 20 years journals written on his trip, Darwin published “Origin,” revising it over 13 years & 6 editions due to comments from other people, not only scientists. The concepts of natural selection & later “survival of the fittest,” were important ingredients of Darwin’s theory. The first edition was successful & sold out quickly.
Darwin, Charles Robert. On the Origin of Species By Means of Natural Selection, Murray, 1859, London.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOk_0mUT_JU -
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Similar ideas from competitor Alfred Russel Wallace
The question of human evolution was dealt with by Wallace in articles in 1864 and 1870. -
Darwin published “Descent of Man”
“Descent” focused on how humans fit in evolution theory. It was popular & accepted, but, as the caricature shows, to some seemed irreverent. Darwin’s denial of the Bible story of divinely guided creation & his claim there were no fundamental differences (only differences of degree) between human & animal qualities did not play well with some Christian groups, though not all.
Darwin, Charles Robert. The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex, two volumes, John Murray, 1871, London. -
Darwin’s death & honors
After much sickness throughout his life, Darwin died from heart problems, perhaps caused by overwork and/or a bug that bit him years earlier in Argentina. He told Emma he was not afraid of death & praised his family’s care for him. Thousands attended his funeral. Due to the petitions of fellow scientists, his remains are honored at Westminster Abbey.