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Global voyage on the HMS Beagle
Upon completing his education, Darwin joined a team upon the HMS Beagle. Over the course of five years, the Beagle explored the coasts of most major landmasses, including South America and Australia. Darwin spent large amounts of time surveying the geology and ecology of these foreign lands. He collected fossils and noted observations on plant and animal life across continents. -
Identified the theory of natural selection
After five years of exploring the world on the HMS Beagle, Darwin had collected a myriad of fossils and developed an extensive knowledge of wildlife. Upon returning home, he studied his observations and came to the conclusion that species evolve from common ancestors by the theory of natural selection. Natural selection proposes that the fittest individuals in a species will survive long enough to reproduce and pass on their unique genetic code. -
Published "On the Origin of Species"
In 1859, Darwin presented his theory of evolution by natural selection in the book "On the Origin of Species". He proposed that all species descend from common ancestors. His book explored the idea that living organisms will evolve over time based on their ability to survive in their respective environments. https://youtu.be/vnktXHBvE8s -
Published "The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex"
After Darwin published his findings on plant and animal life, he turned his focus to human evolution. In his book "The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex", Darwin explores the evolution of humankind by combining his ideas of descent with modification with his findings on human sexual selection. This publication addresses evolutionary ethics, evolutionary psychology, and the applications of evolutionary theory in modern human society.