Charles Darwin Timeline 02/12/1809- 04/19/1882

  • Charles Darwin is born

    Charles Darwin is born in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England on February 12, 1809.
  • Darwin becomes a Doctor's apprentice

    Charles Darwin treats the local poor communities. He does so alongside his father, Robert Darwin, who was a Medical Doctor.
  • The beginning of Darwin's evolutionary ideas

    Charles Darwin reads his grandfathers journals containing ideas regarding evolution. His grandfather was Erasmus Darwin. These journals were important because they were a beginning in the peak of scientific interest for Charles Darwin.
  • Charles Darwin studies theology at Cambridge

    Charles Darwin's father, Robert Darwin encourages him to study theology since he neglected his medical studies.
  • Charles Darwin sets sail on a 5 year voyage 1831-1836

    Charles sets sail on the HMS Beagle. During this voyage, Darwin studies birds and other animals in the Galapagos Islands. These studies of birds and other animals would serve an important role in Darwins theory of evolution by natural selection. He took many notes on his findings in the Galapagos Islands. In 1863, the HMS Beagle headed back to the United Kingdom.
  • Darwin completes and publishes his notes as a "Journal of Researches"

    Charles Darwin publishes his notes of his voyage on the HMS Beagle. These are known as "The Voyage of the Beagle."
  • Darwin marries his first-cousin Emma Wedgewood

  • The idea of natural selection is presented at the Linnean Society

    Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace have their ideas of natural selection published at the same time. Darwin did not see Wallace as a threat.
  • Charles Darwin's "On the Origin of Species" is published

    Although Darwin was too sick to present his ideas in person, he did so through writing letters. This writing left the scientific community divided.
  • Charles Darwin Passes

    Charles Darwin passes away. He was surrounded by family and friends.