Charles Darwin

Charles Darwin (1809 – 1882) was an English naturalist and biologist best known for his theory of evolution by natural selection.

Voyage of the Beagle

His observations during a five-year voyage aboard HMS Beagle, especially in the Galápagos Islands, shaped his ideas about how species change over time.

On the Origin of Species

In 1859 he published On the Origin of Species, arguing that species evolve through the survival and reproduction of individuals best suited to their environment.

Legacy

Darwin's theory is a foundation of modern biology, though it was controversial in his day.

Frequently asked questions

What did Charles Darwin discover?

The mechanism of evolution by natural selection.

What book did Darwin write?

On the Origin of Species (1859).