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Birth of Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin was born on February 12th 1809 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, was one of six children in the family His mother was father were wealthy doctors and financer. -
Voyage of the Beagle
While Darwin was attending Cambridge for college he was invited on a voyage around the world on the HMS Beagle. This was a Cherokee-class Royal Navy Ship. On this voyage Darwin would begin his research on geology, natural history, and ethnology. The voyage started in South America where Darwin would gather life specimens, illustrations, and fossils which gave him the first clues about evolution. Throughout the exploration Darwin would annotate all his research in his journal. -
Darwin's Evolutionary Theory
Once the Beagle made its way home Darwin wasted no time on piecing together the research he had found along the way. He studied how animal breeders and gardeners would cross breed species to create a new species of animal. He assumed that this was the same way the natural world evolved on its own, different species would breed with their selection of other breeds. -
Alfred Russel Wallace
Once Darwin could explain that evolution was based on natural selection he received a letter from a Alfred Russel Wallace informing him that Wallace had come up with the same conclusion he did with the theory of evolution. Darwin was afraid Wallace would take all credit for the discovery so they agreed to submit a joint letter explaining their theory of evolution. -
The Origin of Species
One year after Wallace and Darwin submitted their joint letter, Charles Darwin decided to publish his book "The Origin of Species". This book would come to be considered the foundation of evolutionary biology. His book introduced the scientific theory of natural selection, and included all his evidence he collected throughout his journey on the Beagle. -
Death of Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin suffered form Coronary Thrombosis which is a disease of the heart. On April 19th 1882 Darwin died at the age of 73 in the Down House leaving behind his wife and children. To learn more about Darwins life Journey please watch this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfsUz2O2jww
