Born in 1809 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, Charles

Darwin was raised in a Unitarian family but baptized

Anglican. His fascination with natural history
blossomed during his schooling at Shrewsbury
School, where he joined the Plinian Society. Despite
finding medical studies unengaging at the
University of Edinburgh, he discovered his passion
for taxidermy. This interest continued as he pursued
further education at Christ's College, Cambridge,
where he developed close relationships with
influential figures like his cousin William Darwin Fox
and botany professor John Stevens Henslow. Despite
initial academic struggles, Darwin thrived
intellectually, drawing inspiration from theological,
philosophical, and scientific works. His desire to
contribute to scientific knowledge led him to plan
expeditions to Tenerife and Wales, experiences that
would profoundly shape his future endeavors and
lay the foundation for his revolutionary theories on
evolution and natural selection.
The HMS Beagle's historic voyage from 1831 to 1836,
captained by Robert FitzRoy and accompanied by naturalist
Charles Darwin, circumnavigated the globe, charting coastlines
and conducting scientific exploration. Departing from
Plymouth, England, the ship traveled to various locations,
including Cape Verde, Brazil, the Falkland Islands, South
America, the Galápagos Islands, Australia, and South
Africa.
During the voyage, Darwin made significant geological and
biological observations, including fossil discoveries in
Patagonia and studies of wildlife diversity on the Galápagos
Voyage of
the Beagle
Islands. He encountered diverse cultures, witnessed the impact
of European settlement on indigenous populations, and
pondered the interconnectedness of humans and animals.
Darwin's experiences aboard the Beagle influenced his
groundbreaking theories on evolution and species diversity. His
notes and specimens contributed to scientific understanding
and later became the basis for his seminal work, "On the Origin
of Species."
The voyage's legacy extends beyond scientific discovery, as it
symbolizes the spirit of exploration and the pursuit of
knowledge that continues to inspire scientists and adventurers
today
 Inception of
Darwin's
evolutionary
theory
Supported financially by his family, Charles Darwin
engaged eminent figures like Charles Lyell and anatomist
Richard Owen to analyze his specimens. Owen's
discoveries of extinct creatures, including the
Megatherium and Glyptodon, sparked Darwin's interest
in evolutionary theory.
 Inception of
Darwin's
evolutionary
theory
Supported financially by his family, Charles Darwin
engaged eminent figures like Charles Lyell and anatomist
Richard Owen to analyze his specimens. Owen's
discoveries of extinct creatures, including the
Megatherium and Glyptodon, sparked Darwin's interest
in evolutionary theory.
 Inception of
Darwin's
evolutionary
theory
In January 1837, Darwin presented his research on
South American landmasses and his collections to
prestigious scientific societies. He was astonished by
ornithologist John Gould's revelation that the Galápagos
birds were distinct species of finches. Elected to the
Geological Society's council, Darwin further solidified his
scientific standing.
Settling in London, Darwin immersed himself in the
intellectual milieu, associating with leading minds like
Lyell and Charles Babbage. His stay with his brother
Erasmus and interactions with figures like Harriet
Martineau and John Herschel fueled his contemplation of
transmutation, or the idea of species evolving over time.
 Inception of
Darwin's
evolutionary
theory
By March 1837, Darwin's musings on the geographical
distribution of species, particularly the distinct variations
among Galápagos mockingbirds and rheas, led him to
speculate on the transformative potential of species. His
"B" notebook sketches reflected his evolving concept of
a unified evolutionary tree, challenging prevailing notions
of hierarchical classification.
Darwin's early post-voyage years were marked by
intense intellectual ferment, laying the groundwork for his
revolutionary theory of evolution by natural selection.
 Influence of Malthus:
1. Post-Voyage Work : In 1838, reading Thomas
After returning from the HMS Malthus' "Essay on the
Beagle voyage in 1836, Principle of Population" led
Darwin analyzed his Darwin to realize that in
collected specimens, nature, the struggle for
especially noting variations existence results in the
among Galápagos finches, survival of organisms best
which hinted at adaptation adapted to their
to different environments environment

Experiments and Evidence:

He conducted experiments, such as
breeding pigeons, to demonstrate how Natural Selection
selective pressures can cause Concept:
significant changes within species. Darwin proposed natural
These studies provided concrete selection as the mechanism
examples of how natural selection for evolution: individuals with
operates advantageous traits survive
and reproduce, passing those
traits to their offspring. Over
generations, this leads to the
evolution of species
 and
Impact
Publications

On the Origin of Species

The Descent of Man

The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals

The Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication

 The Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication
The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex

The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals

"On the Origin
of Species" (1859)
Content: Introduced the theory of
evolution by natural selection, providing
extensive evidence from Darwin's
observations and experiments.
Impact: Revolutionary in both scientific
and public circles, it challenged existing
beliefs about the creation and diversity of
life
 The Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication
The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex

The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals

"On the Origin
"The Descent of Man"
of(1871)
Species" (1859)
Content: Introduced the theory of
Content:
evolution Extended
by natural the theory
selection, of natural selection
providing
to human
extensive evolution,
evidence from suggesting
Darwin's humans and apes
share a common ancestor.
On the Origin of Species

observations and experiments.

Impact:
Impact: Provoked significant
Revolutionary controversy and
in both scientific
and debate, particularly
public circles, regarding
it challenged human origins
existing
beliefs about the creation and diversity of
life
 The Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication
The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex

The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals

"On
"The the
Descent Origin
of Man,
"The Expression of the
and Selection
ofEmotions
Species"ininMan and Animals"
(1859)
Relation
(1872)to Sex" (1871)
Content: Introduced the theory of
evolution by natural selection, providing
Content: Extended
Content:
extensive the theory
Explored
evidence of natural selection
theDarwin's
from evolutionary basis of emotions,
to human evolution, suggesting humans and apesto those in
On the Origin of Species

comparing
observations human
and emotional
experiments. expressions
share a animals.
common
Impact: ancestor.in
Revolutionary It both
also introduced
scientific the
concept of sexual
andImpact:
public selection.
Contributed
circles, to the field
it challenged of psychology by linking
existing
Impact: Provoked
emotional
beliefs significant
about the creationcontroversy
expression to
and and
evolutionary
diversity ofprocesses
debate,
life particularly regarding human origins
 The Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication
The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex

The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals

"On
"The"The the
Descent Origin
of
Variation Man,
"The Expression of of
theAnimals and

The Structure and Distribution of Coral Reefs

and Selection
ofPlants
Species"
Emotions under
in ManinDomestication"
and Animals"

Geological Observations on South America

(1859)
Relation
(1868)to Sex" (1871)
(1872)
Content: Introduced the theory of
evolution by natural selection, providing
Content:
Content: Content:
Extended
Explored Discussed
the theorytheofrole
theevolutionary of artificial
natural
basis selectionselection in
of emotions,
extensive evidence from Darwin's
to humanshaping domestic
evolution, species
suggesting and laidand
humans groundwork
apes in for
On the Origin of Species

comparing human
observations emotional
and expressions
experiments. to those
share
animals.aunderstanding
common
Impact: Revolutionary
heredity.
ancestor. It both
in also introduced
scientific the
concept
Impact: Impact:
of Provided
sexual detailed
selection. field of evidence supporting natural
andContributed
public to the
circles, it challenged psychology
existing by linking
Impact:
emotionalselection
Provoked through
expression analogies
significant with
controversy
to evolutionary artificial
and
processes selection
beliefs about the creation and diversity of
debate,
life particularly regarding human origins
It is not the
strongest of the
species that
survives, nor the
most intelligent, but
the one most
responsive to
change.
Thank
You