Charles Darwin(1809-1882)

Angeles MeszarosJennifer MedinaJesse Ramirez

Richan Dominguez

Who is Darwin?

• British Scientist• A naturalist• A careful and

laborious observer• Laid the foundation of

modern evolutionary theory.

Charles Robert Darwin

How it all began• Born in Shrewsbury,

Shropshire, England on February 12, 1809.

• Attended Cambridge University.

• After graduating in 1831, went on scientific expedition on the survey ship the HMS Beagle.

Aboard the Beagle• Darwin observed several geological formations

and a vast variety of living organisms.

• The way natural forces affected the shape of the earth’s surface impressed him most.

• In the Galapegos Islands he observed that each island had tortoises, finches, and mockingbirds that differed in structure and the eating habits.

Study of the Finches

Down House

Settling down

• Darwin continued his research for the next two decades.

• In 1839 he married Emma Wedgewood(first cousin) and move to a small estate outside London.

• He and his wife had ten children, three died at a young age.

Evolution by Natural Selection

• Basic concept:– The food supply problem described by Malthus,

leads the young of any species to compete for survival.

– The young that survive, produce a generation with favorable natural variations, these variations are passed on by heredity.

– Each new generation will improve over preceding generations gradually(evolution of species).

Evolution

Theory Announcement

• Theory was first announced in 1858.

• Complete theory published in 1859, and was titled On the Origin of Species. The Origin was referred to as the ‘book that shook the world,” and sold out the first day.

• Included six editions

Attacks on theory

• Many biologists remarked that Darwin could not prove his hypothesis, or how the new variations were passed onto new generations.

• Most attacks came from religious people, who thought his theory put humans with animals and it completely contradicted with orthodox opinion.

Final Years

• Darwin spent the rest of his life expanding on problems raised in the Origin. Other books: The variation of Plants and animals..(1868),The Descent of man(1871)

• Elected to the Royal Society(1839) and French Academy of Sciences.

Final Years

•Charles Darwin was honored by burial in Westminister Abbey. After his death in Down, Kent April 19,1882