Contents
Charles Darwin
Explaining evolution through natural selection.
HMS Beagle · On the Origin of Species
- Born
- 12 February 1809
- Birthplace
- Shrewsbury, England
- Died
- 19 April 1882
More people
Charles Darwin
An English naturalist who assembled evidence that species change over generations and share common ancestry.
Early life
Collecting nature
Developed an interest in natural history as a child.
Changing studies
Left medical studies at Edinburgh and later studied at Cambridge.
Career
- 1831–1836
Beagle voyage
Collected specimens and studied geology during a round-the-world expedition.
- 1838
Developing an explanation
Formulated his early account of natural selection.
- 1858
Joint presentation
His ideas and Alfred Russel Wallace’s were presented together.
Contributions
Voyage journal
Published his account of the Beagle expedition.
On the Origin of Species
Set out evidence and arguments for evolution by natural selection.
The Descent of Man
Applied evolutionary ideas to human origins.
Beyond work
Family
Married Emma Wedgwood in 1839.
Down House
Worked and raised his family at a country home in Kent.
Sources & photo credit
Biographical reference ↗Natural History Museum: natural selection ↗Photo: Charles_Darwin_seated.jpg : Henry Maull (1829–1914) and John Fox (1832–1907) (Maull & Fox) [ 3 ] derivative work: Bea o. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
