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Charles Darwin- 12 February 1809 – 19 April 1882
Darwin's works in geology, supported by scientists in other fields such as anatomy and ornithology, would lead him the assertion that "transmutations across species must be happening." (Murray, 1840). Darwin would go on to record his observational field findings in his Red Notebook. This notebook would eventually fill up and precede the 'B' and 'C' editions which would tie together the geological findings and the evolutionary findings with support from others on the Beagles' voyages. -
Charles Darwin- 12 February 1809 – 19 April 1882
Darwin was a prominent writer and multi-faceted scientist who not only made contributions to evolutionary sciences but also a claim to recognition as a geologist in his works The Voyage of the Beagle. Darwin's additions here were so well received that the publisher went on to release another edition of his texts allegedly without awarding compensation to Darwin (Murray, 1840). This would be the first of two publications in reference to his works in other sciences latter works feature evolution. -
Charles Darwin- 12 February 1809 – 19 April 1882
In 1859 Darwin would introduce The Theory of Evolution by natural selection. Darwin described natural selection as the "principle by which each slight variation [of a trait], if useful, is preserved". (Darwin, 1859). Natural selection is the idea that whatever useful survival techniques a species has exhibited, can be passed down genetically in whatever sequence to their offspring creating a new species that is fit to survive the plight of the previous generations. -
Charles Darwin- 12 February 1809 – 19 April 1882
Darwin's works on evolution and natural selection did not stop at the 'natural' aspect. In his findings he would parallel natural selection to artificial selection in the domestication of animals. Darwin said in his 'On the Origin of Species' that "We are profoundly ignorant of the causes producing slight and unimportant variations; and we are immediately made conscious of this by reflecting on the differences in the breeds of our domesticated animals in different countries" (Darwin, 1859).