Charles Darwin (1809-1882)

By Dahlfin43

  • H.M.S. Beagle Voyage

    The H.M.S. Beagle departs Plymouth on its 5-year voyage with Charles Darwin aboard. Darwin observes variations in mockingbirds and giant tortoises in the Galapagos Islands and recognizes similarities between the fossils of extinct giant sloths and modern-day sloths (Desmond 2021; Theory of Evolution 2019). Darwin catalogs these findings in his diary which lead him to his theory of evolution through natural selection (Desmond 2021). Educational Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOk_0mUT_JU

  • Theory of Reef Formation

    While visiting the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Darwin correctly theorizes that atolls are formed by the growth of coral reefs atop sinking mountain rims (Desmond 2021). The coral would continue to grow as the mountains sunk to stay at the specific depth for optimal warmth and light.

  • Journal of Researches

    Darwin, Charles. Journal of Researches into the Natural History and Geology of the Countries Visited During the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle Round the World, Under the Command of Capt. Fitz Roy, R.N. 1st ed., Henry Colburn, 1839. The publication of the first edition of this work placed Darwin in the public eye in London. This is also when he began to devise his theory of evolution (Desmond 2021).

  • On the Origin of Species

    Darwin, Charles. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life. John Murray, 1859. In this work, Darwin explains his theory of evolution through natural selection which created the foundation for the modern theory of evolution. He published through John Murray who would go on to publish Darwin’s future works (Desmond 2021).

  • The Descent of Man, Volume I and II

    Darwin, Charles. The Descent of Man, and Selection in relation to Sex, Volume I. John Murray, 1871.
    Darwin, Charles. The Descent of Man, and Selection in relation to Sex, Volume II. John Murray, 1871. Darwin explains evolution as it relates to human origins and uses the term 'evolution' for the first time in any of his works (Browne and Wyhe 2002).

  • The Expression of the Emotions

    Darwin, Charles. The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals. John Murray, 1872. Darwin describes the similarities of emotional expression between humans and animals (Browne and Wyhe 2002).