He was writing up his theory in 1858 when Alfred Russel Wallace sent him an essay that described the same idea, prompting immediate joint publication of both their theories. Although he discussed his ideas with several naturalists, he needed time for extensive research, and his geological work had priority. Puzzled by the geographical distribution of wildlife and fossils he collected on the voyage, Darwin began detailed investigations and in 1838 conceived his theory of natural selection. His five-year voyage on HMS Beagle established him as an eminent geologist whose observations and theories supported Charles Lyell's conception of gradual geological change, and publication of his journal of the voyage made him famous as a popular author. Studies at the University of Cambridge ( Christ's College) encouraged his passion for natural science. ĭarwin's early interest in nature led him to neglect his medical education at the University of Edinburgh instead, he helped to investigate marine invertebrates. Darwin's scientific discovery is the unifying theory of the life sciences, explaining the diversity of life. However, many favoured competing explanations that gave only a minor role to natural selection, and it was not until the emergence of the modern evolutionary synthesis from the 1930s to the 1950s that a broad consensus developed in which natural selection was the basic mechanism of evolution. By the 1870s, the scientific community and a majority of the educated public had accepted evolution as a fact. ĭarwin published his theory of evolution with compelling evidence in his 1859 book On the Origin of Species.
![notebook paper background notebook paper background](https://cdn.wallpapersafari.com/57/62/WpvD3h.png)
Darwin has been described as one of the most influential figures in human history, and he was honoured by burial in Westminster Abbey. In a joint publication with Alfred Russel Wallace, he introduced his scientific theory that this branching pattern of evolution resulted from a process that he called natural selection, in which the struggle for existence has a similar effect to the artificial selection involved in selective breeding.
![notebook paper background notebook paper background](https://d1csarkz8obe9u.cloudfront.net/posterpreviews/notebook-paper-background-design-template-c114c2ed2104bd8b815cf7fbb2f34f44_screen.jpg)
His proposition that all species of life have descended from a common ancestor is now widely accepted and considered a fundamental concept in science. Charles Robert Darwin FRS FRGS FLS FZS JP ( / ˈ d ɑːr w ɪ n/ DAHR-win 12 February 1809 – 19 April 1882) was an English naturalist, geologist and biologist, best known for his contributions to evolutionary biology.