Charles Robert Darwin
Theory
When Darwin returned he began to make people question their long-held beliefs. Darwin observed similarities among species all of the globe along with variations based on specific locations leading him to believe that they had gradually evolved from common ancestors. This was Darwins theory of gradualism. He came to believe the species survive through a process called natural selection. Natural selection were species that successfully adapted to meet to change requirements of their natural habitat and thrive while those that failed to a bowl and reproduce start off. This was the building blocks of The book he wrote called "on the origin of species by means of natural selection" this was published on November 24, 1859 it entailed the explanation of his theory and his best-known work.
"Gradualism" |
Problems with his theory
Darwin was unable to explain how the variations could occur in a population. But the answer to that lied with Gregory Mendal and his work with the pea plant DNA and genetic research he did.
He unfortunetly could not show an example of evolution today, but little did he know it was all around him; the peppered moths in the forest. Dark moths were able to blend in to the soot covered tree's while the white stood out and were eaten.
He unfortunetly could not show an example of evolution today, but little did he know it was all around him; the peppered moths in the forest. Dark moths were able to blend in to the soot covered tree's while the white stood out and were eaten.
Getting to know Charles
Charles Darwin was a naturalist born in Shrewsbury, England, on February 12, 1809. In the 1831, he embarked on a five-year survey voyage around the world on the HMS Beagle. His studies of specimens around the globe led him to formulate his theory of evolution and his views on the process of natural selection. In 1859, he published On the Origin of Species. He died on April 19, 1882, in London.
The HMS Beagle voyage
While during attended Christ's college they bought me Professor by the name of John Stevens Henslowe became his mentor. He was the man that recommended him for a naturalists position a bore the HMS Beagle. It was on December of 1831 that was the beginning of a five-year serve a trip around the world with Captain Robert FitzRoy.
On this voyage German collected a variety of natural specimens including birds plants and fossils he specifically observes the Galapagos finches. He had the unique opportunity to closely observe principles of botany , Geology and zoology. When he returned to England in 1836 he began to document his findings in the Journal of researchers. This trip I had a monumental affect on Downsview of natural history. This had sparked a revolutionary theory about the origin of living things that at the time was contrary to the popular view of other naturalists also by The view of the church. |
Quick factsFull Name: Charles Robert Darwin
Occupation: Biologist, Scientist Birth Date: February 12, 1809 Death Date: April 19, 1882 Education: University of Edinburgh, Cambridge Place of Birth: Shrewsbury, England |
Family life
Darwin came from a long line of scientists being the second youngest of six children. His father Dr. R.W. Darwin who was a medical doctor. Charles was greatly influenced by his grandfather Dr. Erasmus Darwin Who was a renowned botanist. Darla's mother Susanna died when he was only eight years old.
Wife and Children
Charles had a total of 10 children with is late wife Emma Darwin, formerly Wedgewood. Emma was Charles first cousin, three of their children died at very young ages.
Emma Darwin was born: May 2, 1808, Maer Hall, United Kingdom. Died: October 7, 1896, London Borough of Bromley, London, United Kingdom. Married to Charles Darwin from 1839- 1882 (Until the year Charles Died) Parents: Elizabeth Wedgwood, Josiah Wedgwood II Siblings: Josiah Wedgwood III, Hensleigh Wedgwood Charles and Emma's 10 Children: 1: William Erasmus Darwin Born December 27, 1839, died in 1914. Like his father Charles he attended Christ's College at Cambridge University, later becoming a Banker in Southampton. Married Sara Ashburner. But had no Children. 2: Anne Elizabeth Darwin Born March 2 1841, and died at the age of ten on April 23, 1851, suggested cause of death was Tuberculosis. It was the death of Annie that made Darwin question his belief in Christianity. 3: Mary Eleanor Darwin Born on September 23, 1842 but died a few weeks later on October 16th. Suspected cause of death was Tuberculosis. 4: Henrietta Emma Darwin ("Etty") Born on September 25, 1843 and died at the age of 86 years old. She married Richard Buckley Litchfield in August of 1871. But had no children. She edited Emma's (her mother) personal letters and had them published in 1904. 5: George Howard Darwin Born on July 9, 1845 and died in 1912. He was an astronomer and mathematician, and became a apart of the Royal Society (American National Academy of Science) in 1879. In 1883 he became the Plumian Professor of Astronomy and Experimental Philosophy at Cambridge University, but was a Barrister-at-Law. George studied evolution and the origins of the solar system. He later married Martha (Maud) du Puy from Philadelphia. They had two sons, and two daughters. 6: Elizabeth Darwin Born on July 8, 1847 and died in 1926. She never married and had no children. 7: Francis Darwin Born on August 16, 1848 and died in 1925. He became a botanist specializing in plant physiology. He helped his father (Charles Darwin) with his experiments on plants and was of great influence in Darwin's writing of "The Power of Movement in Plants" (1880). He was made a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1879, and taught at Cambridge University from 1884, as a Professor of Botany, until 1904. He edited many of Darwin's correspondence and published books for example: "Life and Letters of Charles Darwin" in 1887, and "More Letters of Charles Darwin" in 1903. He also edited and published Darwin’s Autobiography. Then he later married Amy Ruck but she died when their first child, Bernard, was born in September of 1876. He then married Ellen Crofts in September of 1883, and they had one daughter, Frances in 1886. Francis was eventually knighted in 1913. 8: Leonard Darwin Born on January 15, 1850 and died in 1943. Leonard became a soldier in the Royal Engineers in 1871, and attained Major status from 1890 onwards. He taught at the School of Military Engineering at Chatham from 1877 to 1882, and served in the Ministry of War, Intelligence Division, from 1885-90. Then later on Leonard became a liberal-unionist MP representing for the town of Lichfield in Staffordshire 1892-95, and became the president of the Royal Geological Society 1908-11. Leonard married Elizabeth Fraser in July of 1882. 9: Horace Darwin Born on May 13, 1851 and died in 1928. He was a graduate of Trinity College, Cambridge, and became an engineer and a builder of instruments. In 1885 he founded the Cambridge Scientific Instrument Company. Horace attained Mayor status of Cambridge from 1896-97, and was made a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1903. Horace married Emma Farrer in January of 1880 and they had three children. 10: Charles Waring Darwin Born on December 6, 1856 but died on June 28 1858. |