on the origin of species notes article

Charles Darwin (February 12, 1809–April 19, 1882) was a naturalist
who originated the theory of evolution through the process of natural

selection. Darwin holds a unique place in history as the foremost
proponent of this theory. While he lived a relatively quiet and studious
life, his writings were controversial in their day and still routinely
spark controversy.
As an educated young man, he embarked on an astounding voyage of

discovery aboard a Royal Navy ship. Strange animals and plants he
saw in remote places inspired his deep thinking about how life might
have developed. And when he published his masterpiece, "On the
Origin of Species," he profoundly shook up the scientific world.
Darwin's influence on modern science is impossible to overstate.
Fast Facts: Charles Darwin
 Known For: Originating the theory of evolution through natural

selection
 Born: February 12, 1809 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England
 Parents: Robert Waring Darwin and Susannah Wedgwood
 Died: April 19, 1882 in Downe, Kent, England
 Education: Edinburgh University, Scotland, Cambridge
University, England
 Published Works: On the Origin of Species By Means of
Natural Selection
 Awards and Honors: Royal Medal, Wallaston Medal, Copley
Medal (all for outstanding achievements in the sciences)
 Spouse: Emma Wedgwood
 Children: William Erasmus Darwin, Anne Elizabeth Darwin,
Mary Eleanor Darwin, Henrietta Emma Darwin, George Howard
Darwin, Elizabeth Darwin, Francis Darwin, Leonard Darwin,
Horace Darwin, Charles Waring Darwin
 Notable Quote: “In the struggle for survival, the fittest win out
at the expense of their rivals because they succeed in adapting
themselves best to their environment.”
Early Life
Charles Darwin was born on February 12, 1809, in Shrewsbury,
England. His father was a medical doctor, and his mother was the
daughter of the famous potter Josiah Wedgwood. Darwin’s mother
died when he was 8, and he was essentially raised by his older sisters.
He was not a brilliant student as a child, but he went on to study at
the University of Edinburgh Medical School in Scotland, at first
intending to become a doctor.
Darwin took a strong dislike to medical education and eventually

studied at Cambridge. He planned to become an Anglican minister
before becoming intensely interested in botany. He received a degree
in 1831.
Voyage of the Beagle

On the recommendation of a college professor, Darwin was accepted
to travel on the second voyage of the H.M.S. Beagle. The ship was
embarking on a scientific expedition to South America and islands of
the South Pacific, leaving in late December 1831. The Beagle returned
to England nearly five years later, in October 1836.
Darwin's position on the ship was peculiar. A former captain of the

vessel had become despondent during a long scientific voyage
because, it was assumed, he had no intelligent person to converse
with while at sea. The British Admiralty thought sending an intelligent
young gentleman along on a voyage would serve a combined purpose:
he could study and make records of discoveries while also providing
intelligent companionship for the captain. Darwin was chosen to go
aboard.
Darwin spent more than 500 days at sea and about 1,200 days on land
during the trip. He studied plants, animals, fossils, and geological
formations and wrote his observations in a series of notebooks.
During long periods at sea, he organized his notes.
In the Galapagos
The Beagle spent about five weeks in the Galapagos Islands. During
that time, Darwin made a series of observations that had a significant
impact on his new theories about natural selection. He was
particularly intrigued by his discovery of major differences between
species on different islands. He wrote:
The distribution of tenants of this archipelago would not be nearly so

wonderful if, for instance, one island has a mocking-thrush and a
second island some other quite distinct species... But it is the
circumstance that several of the islands possess their own species of
tortoise, mocking-thrush, finches, and numerous plants, these species
having the same general habits, occupying analogous situations, and
obviously filling the same place in the natural economy of this
archipelago, that strikes me with wonder.
Darwin visited four of the Galapagos Islands, including Chatham

Island (now San Cristobal), Charles (now Floreana), Albemarle, and
James (now Santiago). He spent much of his time sketching, collecting
specimens, and observing animals and their behavior. His discoveries
would change the scientific world and rock the foundations of Western
religion.
Early Writings and Influences

Darwin married his cousin Emma Wedgwood in 1839, and they
eventually had ten children, seven of whom survived to adulthood.
Illness prompted him to move from London to the country in 1842. His
scientific studies continued, and he spent years studying various
lifeforms to better understand their evolutionary processes.
Three years after returning to England, Darwin published the "Journal

of Researches," an account of his observations during the expedition
aboard the Beagle. The book was an entertaining account of Darwin's
scientific travels and was popular enough to be published in
successive editions.
Darwin also edited five volumes titled "Zoology of the Voyage of the
Beagle," which contained contributions by other scientists. Darwin
himself wrote sections dealing with the distribution of animal species
and geological notes on fossils he had seen.
Development of Darwin's Thinking

The voyage on the Beagle was, of course, a highly significant event in
Darwin’s life, but his observations on the expedition were hardly the
only influence on the development of his theory of natural selection.
He was also greatly influenced by what he was reading.
In 1838 Darwin read an "Essay on the Principle of Population," which

the British philosopher Thomas Malthus had written 40 years earlier.
The ideas of Malthus helped Darwin refine his own notion of “survival
of the fittest.”
Malthus had been writing about overpopulation and discussed how

some members of society were able to survive difficult living
conditions. After reading Malthus, Darwin kept collecting scientific
samples and data, eventually spending 20 years refining his own
thoughts on natural selection.
Publication of His Masterpiece

Darwin’s reputation as a naturalist and geologist had grown
throughout the 1840s and 1850s, yet he had not revealed his ideas
about natural selection widely. Friends urged him to publish them in
the late 1850s; it was the publication of an essay by Alfred Russell
Wallace expressing similar thoughts that encouraged Darwin to write
a book setting out his own ideas.
In July 1858, Darwin and Wallace appeared together at the Linnean

Society of London. And in November 1859, Darwin published the book
that secured his place in history: "On the Origin of Species By Means
of Natural Selection." He later published another volume, "The
Descent of Man," which went even further into his then-controversial
ideas about how humans, specifically, had evolved.
Later Life and Death

"On the Origin of Species" was published in several editions, with
Darwin periodically editing and updating material in the book. And
while society debated Darwin's work, he lived a quiet life in the
English countryside, content to conduct botanical experiments. He
was highly respected, regarded as a grand old man of science. He
died on April 19, 1882, and was honored by being buried at
Westminster Abbey in London.
Legacy
Charles Darwin was not the first person to propose that plants and
animals adapt to circumstances and evolve over eons of time. But
Darwin's book put forth his hypothesis in an accessible format and led
to controversy. Darwin's theories had an almost immediate impact on
religion, science, and society at large.

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Charles Darwin (February 12, 1809–April 19, 1882) was a naturalist

who originated the theory of evolution through the process of natural

As an educated young man, he embarked on an astounding voyage of

Fast Facts: Charles Darwin

 Known For: Originating the theory of evolution through natural

Darwin took a strong dislike to medical education and eventually

Voyage of the Beagle

Darwin's position on the ship was peculiar. A former captain of the

The distribution of tenants of this archipelago would not be nearly so

Darwin visited four of the Galapagos Islands, including Chatham

Early Writings and Influences

Three years after returning to England, Darwin published the "Journal

Development of Darwin's Thinking

In 1838 Darwin read an "Essay on the Principle of Population," which

Malthus had been writing about overpopulation and discussed how

Publication of His Masterpiece

In July 1858, Darwin and Wallace appeared together at the Linnean

Later Life and Death

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