Charles Darwin was a British naturalist
who is well known for his theories on evolution and
natural selection. He was born in Shrewsbury, England, and
for five years of his life he traveled on the H.M.S. Beagle to
several places including South America, where he discovered
fossils of extinct animals that appeared to be similar to those
of modern-day animals. In the Galapagos Islands he discovered
several variations of plants and animals that were similar
to those in South America. When he returned to London
he studied all his findings from around the world and derived
the following theories: (a) evolution did occur; (b) the evolutionary
change was gradual, requiring up to 3 million years
to occur; (c) the main factor that contributed to evolution
was natural selection; and (d) all the species of life that are
present today came from a single unique life-form. Darwin’s
theory states that within each species, nature randomly
selects which animal or plant will survive and which will die
out. This is done based on how adaptable the species is to its
surrounding environment. His theories were published in his
book entitled On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural
Selection, or the Preservation of Favored Races in the Struggle
for Life. His book caused great controversy, especially
with religious schools of thought. It was said that his theories
went against the teachings of the church. Darwin did not talk
about religious views in his works, and was in fact a very
religious man, but other scientists after him have used his
work as a basis to their own theories. Darwin continued to
work in the fields of botany, geology, and zoology until his
death.
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