Interesting facts about charles darwin
Brief biography of charles darwin: Front Psychol. In geology, palaeontology, zoology, ecology, taxonomy, botany, philosophy, anthropology, psychology, literature and theology Darwin's writings produced profound reactions, many of which are still ongoing. His theory reconciled a host of diverse kinds of evidence such as the progressive fossil record, geographical distribution of species, recapitulative appearances in embryology, homologous structures, vestigial organs and nesting taxonomic relationships. Darwin spent more than days at sea and about 1, days on land during the trip.
Biography of Charles Darwin, Originator of the Theory of Evolution
Charles Darwin (February 12, –April 19, ) was a naturalist who originated the theory of evolution through the process of natural selection. Darwin holds a unique place in history as the foremost proponent of this theory.
While he lived a relatively quiet and studious life, his writings were controversial in their day and still routinely spark controversy.
As an educated young man, he embarked on an astounding voyage of discovery aboard a Royal Navy ship. Strange animals and plants he saw in remote places inspired his deep thinking about how life might have developed.
And when he published his masterpiece, "On the Origin of Species," he profoundly shook up the scientific world. Darwin's influence on modern science is impossible to overstate.
Fast Facts: Charles Darwin
- Known For: Originating the theory of evolution through natural selection
- Born: February 12, in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England
- Parents: Robert Waring Darwin and Susannah Wedgwood
- Died: April 19, in Downe, Kent, England
- Education: Edinburgh University, Scotland, Cambridge University, England
- Published Works: On the Origin of Species By Means of Natural Selection
- Awards and Honors: Royal Medal,Wallaston Medal, Copley Medal (all for outstanding achievements in the sciences)
- Spouse: Emma Wedgwood
- Children: William Erasmus Darwin, Anne Elizabeth Darwin, Mary Eleanor Darwin, Henrietta Emma Darwin, George Howard Darwin, Elizabeth Darwin, Francis Darwin, Leonard Darwin, Horace Darwin, Charles Waring Darwin
- Notable Quote: “In the struggle for survival, the fittest win out at the expense of their rivals because they succeed in adapting themselves best to their environment.”
Early Life
Charles Darwin was born on February 12, , in Shrewsbury, England.
His father was a medical doctor, and his mother was the daughter of the famous potter Josiah Wedgwood. Darwin’s mother died when he was 8, and he was essentially raised by his older sisters. He was not a brilliant student as a child, but he went on to study at the University of Edinburgh Medical School in Scotland, at first intending to become a doctor.
Biography of lamarck The book was an entertaining account of Darwin's scientific travels and was popular enough to be published in successive editions. Darwin's position on the ship was peculiar. Charles Darwin's mitochondrial disorder: Possible neuroendocrine involvement. These choices will be signaled to our partners and will not affect browsing data.Darwin took a strong dislike to medical education and eventually studied at Cambridge. He planned to become an Anglican minister before becoming intensely interested in botany. He received a degree in
Voyage of the Beagle
On the recommendation of a college professor, Darwin was accepted to travel on the second voyage of the H.M.S.
Beagle.
The ship was embarking on a scientific expedition to South America and islands of the South Pacific, leaving in late December The Beagle returned to England nearly five years later, in October
Darwin's position on the ship was peculiar. A former captain of the vessel had become despondent during a long scientific voyage because, it was assumed, he had no intelligent person to converse with while at sea.
The British Admiralty thought sending an intelligent young gentleman along on a voyage would serve a combined purpose: he could study and make records of discoveries while also providing intelligent companionship for the captain. Darwin was chosen to go aboard.
Darwin spent more than days at sea and about 1, days on land during the trip.
He studied plants, animals, fossils, and geological formations and wrote his observations in a series of notebooks. During long periods at sea, he organized his notes.
In the Galapagos
The Beagle spent about five weeks in the Galapagos Islands. During that time, Darwin made a series of observations that had a significant impact on his new theories about natural selection.
He was particularly intrigued by his discovery of major differences between species on different islands. He wrote:
The distribution of tenants of this archipelago would not be nearly so wonderful if, for instance, one island has a mocking-thrush and a second island some other quite distinct species But it is the circumstance that several of the islands possess their own species of tortoise, mocking-thrush, finches, and numerous plants, these species having the same general habits, occupying analogous situations, and obviously filling the same place in the natural economy of this archipelago, that strikes me with wonder.
Darwin visited four of the Galapagos Islands, including Chatham Island (now San Cristobal), Charles (now Floreana), Albemarle, and James (now Santiago). He spent much of his time sketching, collecting specimens, and observing animals and their behavior.
Best biography of charles darwin His theory reconciled a host of diverse kinds of evidence such as the progressive fossil record, geographical distribution of species, recapitulative appearances in embryology, homologous structures, vestigial organs and nesting taxonomic relationships. During that time, Darwin made a series of observations that had a significant impact on his new theories about natural selection. Darwin hypothesized that the variations he observed resulted from natural selection that favored birds with beaks suited to the local food sources. How Many Emotions Are There?His discoveries would change the scientific world and rock the foundations of Western religion.
Early Writings and Influences
Darwin married his cousin Emma Wedgwood in , and they eventually had ten children, seven of whom survived to adulthood. Illness prompted him to move from London to the country in His scientific studies continued, and he spent years studying various lifeforms to better understand their evolutionary processes.
Three years after returning to England, Darwin published the "Journal of Researches," an account of his observations during the expedition aboard the Beagle. The book was an entertaining account of Darwin's scientific travels and was popular enough to be published in successive editions.
Darwin also edited five volumes titled "Zoology of the Voyage of the Beagle," which contained contributions by other scientists.
Biography of charles darwin Understand audiences through statistics or combinations of data from different sources. In , Darwin married his cousin Emma Wedgwood. Darwin was chosen to go aboard. Charles Darwin's emotional expression "experiment" and his contribution to modern neuropharmacology.Darwin himself wrote sections dealing with the distribution of animal species and geological notes on fossils he had seen.
Development of Darwin's Thinking
The voyage on the Beagle was, of course, a highly significant event in Darwin’s life, but his observations on the expedition were hardly the only influence on the development of his theory of natural selection.
He was also greatly influenced by what he was reading.
In Darwin read an "Essay on the Principle of Population," which the British philosopher Thomas Malthus had written 40 years earlier. The ideas of Malthus helped Darwin refine his own notion of “survival of the fittest.”
Malthus had been writing about overpopulation and discussed how some members of society were able to survive difficult living conditions.
After reading Malthus, Darwin kept collecting scientific samples and data, eventually spending 20 years refining his own thoughts on natural selection.
Publication of His Masterpiece
Darwin’s reputation as a naturalist and geologist had grown throughout the s and s, yet he had not revealed his ideas about natural selection widely.
Friends urged him to publish them in the late s; it was the publication of an essay by Alfred Russell Wallace expressing similar thoughts that encouraged Darwin to write a book setting out his own ideas.
In July , Darwin and Wallace appeared together at the Linnean Society of London. And in November , Darwin published the book that secured his place in history: "On the Origin of Species By Means of Natural Selection." He later published another volume, "The Descent of Man," which went even further into his then-controversial ideas about how humans, specifically, had evolved.
Later Life and Death
"On the Origin of Species" was published in several editions, with Darwin periodically editing and updating material in the book. And while society debated Darwin's work, he lived a quiet life in the English countryside, content to conduct botanical experiments. He was highly respected, regarded as a grand old man of science.
Biography of charles darwin for kids McNamara, Robert. During that time, Darwin made a series of observations that had a significant impact on his new theories about natural selection. During long periods at sea, he organized his notes. In October , at age 16, Darwin enrolled at University of Edinburgh along with his brother Erasmus.He died on April 19, , and was honored by being buried at Westminster Abbey in London.
Legacy
Charles Darwin was not the first person to propose that plants and animals adapt to circumstances and evolve over eons of time. But Darwin's book put forth his hypothesis in an accessible format and led to controversy. Darwin's theories had an almost immediate impact on religion, science, and society at large.