Transcript Charles Darwin

Charles Darwin
(1809-1882)
Angeles Meszaros
Jennifer Medina
Jesse Ramirez
Richan Dominguez
Who is Darwin?
• British Scientist
• A naturalist
• A careful and
laborious observer
• Laid the foundation of
modern evolutionary
theory.
Charles Robert Darwin
How it all began
• Born in Shrewsbury,
Shropshire, England
on February 12, 1809.
• Attended Cambridge
University.
• After graduating in
1831, went on
scientific expedition
on the survey ship the
HMS Beagle.
Aboard the Beagle
• Darwin observed several geological
formations and a vast variety of living
organisms.
• The way natural forces affected the shape of
the earth’s surface impressed him most.
• In the Galapegos Islands he observed that
each island had tortoises, finches, and
mockingbirds that differed in structure and
the eating habits.
Study of the Finches
Down House
Settling down
• Darwin continued his research for the next
two decades.
• In 1839 he married Emma Wedgewood(first
cousin) and move to a small estate outside
London.
• He and his wife had ten children, three died
at a young age.
Evolution by Natural Selection
• Basic concept:
– The food supply problem described by Malthus,
leads the young of any species to compete for
survival.
– The young that survive, produce a generation
with favorable natural variations, these
variations are passed on by heredity.
– Each new generation will improve over
preceding generations gradually(evolution of
species).
Evolution
Theory Announcement
• Theory was first announced in 1858.
• Complete theory published in 1859, and
was titled On the Origin of Species. The
Origin was referred to as the ‘book that
shook the world,” and sold out the first day.
• Included six editions
Attacks on theory
• Many biologists remarked that Darwin
could not prove his hypothesis, or how the
new variations were passed onto new
generations.
• Most attacks came from religious people,
who thought his theory put humans with
animals and it completely contradicted with
orthodox opinion.
Final Years
• Darwin spent the rest
of his life expanding
on problems raised in
the Origin. Other
books: The variation
of Plants and
animals..(1868),The
Descent of man(1871)
• Elected to the Royal
Society(1839) and
French Academy of
Sciences.
Final Years
• Charles Darwin was
honored by burial in
Westminister Abbey.
After his death in
Down, Kent
April 19,1882