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Photograph of Charles Darwin seated

Charles Darwin in later life. Leonard Darwin. Public domain or freely licensed; see source record.

Historical person · 19th Century

Charles Darwin

1809–1882

Naturalist who developed the theory of evolution by natural selection.

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Biography

Charles Darwin: life and legacy

Life and career

Darwin's voyage on HMS Beagle expanded his observations of species and geology. After decades of research he published On the Origin of Species in 1859, explaining adaptation through natural selection. His work transformed biology, while later social and political uses of evolutionary language often departed from his scientific argument.

Historical context

Scientific work is collaborative and institutional even when credit gathers around a famous individual. Funding, instruments, technicians and the social uses of knowledge belong inside the biography.

Legacy and interpretation

Charles Darwin's reputation has been shaped by commemoration, political argument and the survival of unequal evidence. A responsible biography compares contemporary records with later interpretation, recognises people affected by their decisions and avoids reducing broad change to one famous life.

Key moments

Timeline

  1. Born

    Charles Darwin was born into the world that shaped their later opportunities and constraints.

  2. Historical career

    Naturalist who developed the theory of evolution by natural selection.

  3. Died

    Their reputation continued to change as later generations asked new questions of the evidence.

Connections

Related people

Portrait of Isaac NewtonIsaac NewtonSame historical movement or period · 1643–1727Photograph of Alan TuringAlan TuringSame historical movement or period · 1912–1954Portrait photograph of Albert EinsteinAlbert EinsteinSame historical movement or period · 1879–1955
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Evidence

Sources and further reading

  1. Charles Darwin reference searchEncyclopaedia Britannica
  2. Science and Technology research guidesThe National Archives
  3. Biographical records and portraitsNational Portrait Gallery
  4. Historical people and primary sourcesLibrary of Congress
  5. Historical figuresEncyclopaedia Britannica

Biographical claims are summarised from the sources above. Interpretation and disputed reputations are identified in the text rather than presented as settled fact.