Charles Darwin: The Naturalist Who Revolutionized Biology
Charles Darwin is one of the most well known scientists to have ever lived. A revolutionary naturalist, he changed the way we think about the natural world. Thanks to his contributions to the field of biology, we now know that animals, plants, and humans evolve over time. Here, we will take a closer look at the life and accomplishments of Charles Darwin, the man who revolutionized modern science.
Early Life
Charles Darwin was born in 1809 in Shrewsbury, England. From an early age, he was drawn to the natural world and began studying plants and animals in earnest. Darwin’s father was a doctor, and his mother was a botanist. When he was sixteen, he began attending medical school at the University of Edinburgh. However, his interests weren’t in medicine and instead focused on examining specimens of birds and other organisms. Despite his fascination with nature, Darwin showed no interest in furthering his education at the university. He dropped out at the age of 19 and instead chose to pursue a career in natural history.
Journey to the Galapagos Islands
In 1831, Darwin was offered a spot as the naturalist aboard a survey ship called the HMS Beagle. The survey was a five-year voyage around the world and included a stop at the Galapagos Islands. Darwin’s observations during the journey provided critical insight into the natural world and how species adapt to different environments. It was on this voyage that the theory of Natural Selection first took shape in Darwin’s mind.
Publication of On the Origin of Species
When Darwin returned from his travels, he began to formulate his ideas on evolution. In 1858, he wrote a paper with Alfred Russell Wallace which proposed the theory of Natural Selection. Darwin then wrote On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, a book that became an immediate success. The publication of On the Origin of Species firmly established Darwin as one of the foremost scientists of his time.
Legacy of Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin’s contributions to the field of biology have been monumental. He essentially established the basis for modern evolutionary theory and his work was largely responsible for the adoption of evolutionary biology as a mainstream field. To this day, his work remains a cornerstone of biological theory.
Notable Works
In 1859, Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species, his groundbreaking work about the theory of Natural Selection. This book contained Darwin’s observations from the voyage of the HMS Beagle, as well as his ideas about how species adapt to their environments. In 1868, he published The Variation of Animals and Plants Under Domestication, in which he explored the concept of inheritance. In The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals, published in 1872, he noted that certain emotions are universal across species, demonstrating the similarities between humans and animals.
Charles Darwin was a revolutionary naturalist whose contributions to the field of biology changed the way we see the world. His journey to the Galapagos Islands, as well as his publications, formed the basis of evolutionary theory. He is still regarded by many as one of the greatest scientists to have ever lived. His work established a strong foundation for further advancements in the field of biology, making him a true icon of science.
