Charles Robert Darwin
- Born:
- 12 February 1809, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England
- Died:
- 19 April 1882, Downe, Kent, England
- Nationality:
- British
- Profession(s):
- Naturalist, Geologist, Biologist
Early Life and Education
- Son of Robert Waring Darwin, a physician, and Susannah Darwin (née Wedgwood).
- Grandson of Erasmus Darwin, a physician and natural philosopher.
- Initially studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh.
- Later studied theology at Christ's College, Cambridge.
- Developed a strong interest in natural history during his university years.
Career and Major Achievements
- Served as the naturalist aboard the HMS Beagle (1831-1836).
- Observed diverse geology, fossils, and living organisms across South America, the Galapagos Islands, and other regions.
- Developed the theory of evolution by natural selection.
- Published "On the Origin of Species" in 1859, which presented compelling evidence for evolution.
- Continued to publish extensively on various aspects of natural history and evolution.
Notable Works
- On the Origin of Species (1859)
- The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex (1871)
- The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals (1872)
- The Voyage of the Beagle (1839)
- Many other books and scientific papers on botany, zoology, and geology.
- The enduring relevance of his work often leads to exploration of topics like "a Darwin biography video" to further illustrate his life.
Legacy and Impact
Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection revolutionized the field of biology and continues to be the cornerstone of modern evolutionary theory. His work fundamentally changed our understanding of the natural world and our place within it.