Charles Darwin
Date: 27-12-1831
Charles Darwin is born in 1809, Shrewsbury, England and will grow up to be one of the most important and famous biologists ever. Already at a very young age, Darwin was fascinated by nature but his father, a successful doctor, wanted Charles to take over his practice. So he had to study medicine but quit his studies because he couldn't stand all the blood. He eventually became a theologist because his father enrolled him at the university.
Charles Darwin is born in 1809, Shrewsbury, England and will grow up to be one of the most important and famous biologists ever. Already at a very young age, Darwin was fascinated by nature but his father, a successful doctor, wanted Charles to take over his practice. So he had to study medicine but quit his studies because he couldn't stand all the blood. He eventually became a theologist because his father enrolled him at the university.
But Darwin was still fascinated by nature and at some point something special happened in his life. He was asked to join a research trip around the world on the ship HMS Beagle. Of course Darwin agreed and on 27-12-1831 he left England on the HMS Beagle, captained by Robert Fitzroy.
This trip will eventually take five years and the Beagle sails around the world. |
Charles Darwin suffers from extreme sea-sickness but when on land, Charles spends all his time studying animals. fossils and the lay of the land. All these studies are the foundation for his book "On The Origins of Species". In this book Charles Darwin describes his Theory of Evolution. His theory was that animals and mankind weren't created by God but that they evolved by natural selection through the course of millions of years. Think of primates evolving in to humans.
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His theory that God wasn't responsible for the creation of humankind, animals and plants was revolutionary in that age but almost immediately accepted by the world of science.
Did you know?
Charles Darwin brought a turtle back from the Galápagos Islands and left it at a zoo in Australia. The turtle died in 2006 at the age of 176!
Charles Darwin brought a turtle back from the Galápagos Islands and left it at a zoo in Australia. The turtle died in 2006 at the age of 176!
Location:
The Beagle's journey started in Plymouth, England.
The Beagle's journey started in Plymouth, England.