Darwin, Charles
Overview
Charles Darwin (1809-1882) was a British naturalist, geologist, and biologist, best known for his contributions to the science of evolution. In 1859, he published On the Origin of Species, which introduced the scientific theory that populations evolve over generations through a process of natural selection.
Significance
Darwin's work has had a profound impact on many fields, including biology, anthropology, philosophy, and psychology. His theories challenged long-held beliefs about the natural world and the place of humans within it. The concept of "survival of the fittest" has been applied to human social behavior, economics, and politics.
Contributions
Darwin's greatest contribution is his theory of evolution by natural selection. He also proposed the idea of sexual selection, where organisms choose mates based on certain traits, and developed the concept of biogeography, the study of the distribution of species across the globe.
Major Works
- On the Origin of Species (1859)
- The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex (1871)
- The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals (1872)
- The Variation of Plants and Animals Under Domestication (1868)