CHARLES DARWIN BIBLIOGRAPHY

Charles Darwin, born in 1809 in Shrewsbury, England, was the son of a doctor who hoped his boy would pursue medicine. At sixteen, Darwin entered Edinburgh University, but he found himself drawn more to natural history than to treating patients—especially since he couldn't stomach the sight of blood. Later, while studying theology at Cambridge, it was his love for nature that truly captured his interest.

In 1831, Darwin joined the HMS Beagle as a naturalist for a voyage with the British Royal Navy. The ship's mission was to map the South American coastline, but Darwin’s scientific contributions became a significant addition to the journey.

He spent much of his time ashore in countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Chile, and on isolated islands including the Galápagos. Darwin collected a wide array of specimens—plants, animals, rocks, and fossils—which he shipped back to England for further study.

After returning in 1836, Darwin analyzed his findings and sparked major scientific revelations. His fossils helped geologists better understand Earth's structure, while his observations of living organisms led him to ponder how species evolve. This exploration culminated in his groundbreaking concept of natural selection: the idea that organisms with traits best suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those traits on to future generations. Over time, these traits can become dominant, potentially giving rise to entirely new species.

In 1859, Darwin released his revolutionary book On the Origin of Species, which both captivated and divided readers. It challenged the prevailing belief that Earth was only six thousand years old and proposed that species undergo gradual changes across vast periods of time.

Darwin passed away in 1882 at seventy-three and was laid to rest in Westminster Abbey, London.

SOURCE: Charles Darwin. (n.d.). https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/charles-darwin/