Charles Darwin (1809-1882)

Birth and Childhood

Feb 12, 1809

Born on February 12, 1809, Charles Robert Darwin was the fifth of six children. His father was a physician and expected young Charles to follow in his footsteps. He attended the University of Edinburgh Medical School but did not show interest in his lessons.

Christ's College

1828

Darwin was enrolled in Christ's College in Cambridge after showing no interest in medical studies. It was during this time, that he grew a passion for natural theology and desired to contribute to this field of study.

Voyage on HMS Beagle

Dec 27, 1831

While journeying on the HMS Beagle, Darwin spent time on various lands collecting samples and taking notes of his observations. He studied marine invertebrates such as plankton.

Earthquake in Chile

1835

While witnessing an earthquake in Chile, Darwin noticed as the land rose, the oceanic islands sank. From this, he hypothesized that coral reefs grew from atolls. The captain, Robert Fitzroy, studied the atolls of the Cocos Islands and his findings supported Darwin's theories. Fitzroy began writing the Narrative of the Beagle and with permission, included entries from Darwin's diary.

Islands of San Cristobal and Floreana, Galapagos

Sep 16, 1835

The first island of the Galapagos that Darwin studied was San Cristobal. Here he investigated how lava flows and theorized about its formation. On the second island, Floreana, he discovered a bird species that lead him to important conclusions. That bird is now known as the Floreana Mockingbird.

The Island of Isabela

Sep 25, 1835

The third island Darwin landed on was the most uninhabited and volcanically active volcano of them all.

The Island of Santiago, Galapagos

Oct 8, 1835

The final Island, Santiago, was the island of most importance to Darwin's discoveries. It was in Santiago that Charles realized the tortoises from all islands were different. They varied in different shapes and sizes and evolved depending on their surroundings and feeding characteristics.

Putting it all together

1837

Six months after his voyage, Darwin was writing in his notebook explaining the different variations of tortoises and mockingbirds he had witnessed in the Galapagos. He sketched an evolutionary tree in his notebook.

Origin of the Species

Nov 22, 1859

After much pressure from his colleagues, Darwin published Origin of the Species. His work introduced the theory of natural selection and provided evidence of evolution.

Death of Charles Darwin

Apr 19, 1882

Charles Darwin died of heart failure and was buried in Westminster Abbey by John Hershel and Isaac Newton.