366 | Charles Darwin

Charles Robert Darwin was born on 12 February 1809 in Shrewsbury, England. He initially studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh but did not complete his degree. He then studied theology at the University of Cambridge, where his interest in natural history further developed.

A decisive moment in his life was his participation in the five-year expedition (1831–1836) aboard the ship HMS Beagle. During this voyage, he collected extensive data on geology, fossils, plants, and animals, particularly in South America and on the Galápagos Islands. These observations formed the basis for his later theories.

Darwin spent most of his later life at Down House in Kent, where he devoted himself to research and writing. He died on 19 April 1882 and was buried in Westminster Abbey.

Darwin’s most important publication is On the Origin of Species (1859). In this work, he introduced the theory of evolution by natural selection. The core of this theory is that:

• Individuals within a species vary in their characteristics.
• Some variations provide an advantage in a particular environment.
• Individuals with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.
• As a result, these traits become more common in subsequent generations.

Over long periods of time, this process leads to gradual changes in species.

In addition to this work, Darwin published The Descent of Man (1871), in which he applied evolutionary theory to humans, as well as various studies on plants, animals, and behavior.

Darwin’s theory brought about a profound change in scientific and social thought. His work laid the foundation for modern evolutionary biology and influenced disciplines such as genetics, ecology, and paleontology. Although his ideas were initially controversial, they are now widely recognized as a cornerstone of biological science.