Charles Darwin

Charles Darwin (1809–1882) was an English naturalist and scientist best known for his work on the theory of evolution. He showed how living things change slowly over long periods of time to adapt to their environment. Darwin’s ideas changed how people think about life on earth.

Darwin was born in Shrewsbury, England. As a boy, he loved collecting insects, rocks, and plants. He studied medicine and religion at university, but his main interest was always nature. In 1831, he joined a ship called the HMS Beagle as a naturalist on a long trip around the world. This journey lasted five years and took him to south-america, Australia, and many islands, including the famous Galápagos Islands.

During the voyage, Darwin studied many different animals and plants. He noticed that creatures on different islands had small but important differences. For example, the finches on the Galápagos Islands had beaks of different shapes, each suited to the type of food on their island. These observations led Darwin to think that living things might change over time to survive better — a process he later called natural selection.

When Darwin returned to England, he spent many years studying his notes and samples. In 1859, he published his most famous book, On the Origin of species, which explained his theory of evolution. The book said that all living things share common ancestors and that those best suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. Over time, small changes add up, leading to new kinds of plants and animals.

At first, many people disagreed with Darwin because his ideas challenged traditional beliefs about how life began. But over time, scientists found much evidence that supported his theory. Today, evolution is one of the most important ideas in biology and helps us understand how life develops and adapts.

Darwin’s work continues to inspire scientists. His careful observations and willingness to question old ideas showed the power of curiosity and evidence. Because of him, we now understand that all living things — from tiny insects to humans — are connected through the long history of life on Earth.