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Birth
Charles Darwin is born in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England. -
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HMS Beagle Voyage
At 22 years old, Charles Darwin set sail on the HMS Beagle. The journey was only expected to last two years, however it was extended to five. Throughout the expedition, Darwin took notes of observations he made regarding wildlife and geology. Much of the trip was spent around South America and nearby islands, including the Galapagos islands, where he recorded birds. Darwin's experiences and observations greatly influenced his ability to develop the theories of evolution and natural selection. -
Darwin meets Lyell
After returning from his voyage on the HMS Beagle, Charles Darwin met the geologist Charles Lyell. Lyell served as a very influential counterpart to Darwin's studies and is known to have developed a strong professional and friend relationship with Darwin. Lyell aided in Darwin's ability to think broader than accepted terms and develop rational theories that could help explain observations made. -
Darwin publishes "On the Origin of Species"
Coined as Charles Darwin's most influential work, "On the Origin of Species" has been a bestseller since initial publishing. The scientific work proposed Darwin's theory of evolution, in that living things evolve slowly over time, under a process known as natural selection. This quickly became a widely opinionated theory, creating much debate, initially, within the scientific community. Nonetheless, the book sparked a new era of scientific thinking. -
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Important Works Citations
Darwin, Charles, and Leonard Kebler. On the origin of species by means of natural selection, or, The preservation of favoured races in the struggle for life . London: J. Murray, 1859. Darwin, Charles, Leonard Kebler, and Joseph Meredith Toner Collection. The Descent of Man,: And Selection in Relation to Sex . London: J. Murray, 1871. -
Darwin publishes, "The Descent of Man"
Darwin's work "The Descent of Man" created much controversy between the scientific and religious communities. It brought new theories on the age of the Earth, origins of humans, and our role in the world. YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsGtSenNKG0 -
Death
Charles Darwin dies in Downe, United Kingdom.