• Charles Darwin was an English naturalist whose work advocates the process of natural selection as the engine of evolution.

  As they have since their inception, Darwin's theories relating to evolution continue to spark debate, especially during February, the month he was born. In February of 2009 there was a stronger contingency of scientists taking on the role of skeptic as new studies on the brain led many to take a closer look at evolutionary theories.NPR: Doubting Darwin: Debate Over The Mind's Evolution (February 20, 2009)

• Fast Facts

  1. Born: February 12, 1809
  2. Birthplace: Shropshire, England
  3. Died: April 19, 1882
  4. Fields of study: Natural sciences, geology
  5. Awards: Royal Medal (1853), Wollaston Medal (1859), Copley Medal (1864)
  6. Recent studies on the brain have prompted more scientists to reject Darwin's theory of evolutionNPR: Doubting Darwin: Debate Over The Mind's Evolution (February 20, 2009)

• Career

  Charles Darwin considered becoming a surgeon and entering the clergy before his fascination with natural history and a family connection placed him on the second voyage of the HMS Beagle. During his five years on that ship, Darwin collected hundreds of specimens and made copious notes from his observations. His labors established him as a naturalist of note and prompted him to develop his ideas on evolution.

  On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or The Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life was published on November 22, 1859. The book, which Darwin delayed publishing, presents a testable theory (natural selection) to explain the process of evolution.

• The Brain and Evolution

  February 12, 2009, marked the 200 anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth, prompting both celebrations and the usual heated debates over evolution. Though skeptics have most often been associated with religious fundamentalists that use creationism or intelligent design to explain various human developments, more scientists are adopting this belief in a higher power. This has mainly been prompted by different interpretations of recent data involving consciousness and how it relates to the brain vs. the mind. At the end of 2008, dueling blogs pitted the two sides against one another, each one spearheaded by a scientist in the field of neurology.NPR: Doubting Darwin: Debate Over The Mind's Evolution (February 20, 2009)

• Notable Works

  • 1839: The Voyage of the Beagle
  • 1859: On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life
  • 1871: The Descent of Man|The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex
  • 1887: Autobiography of Charles Darwin

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Evolution | Intelligent Design | Galapagos Islands | Scopes Trial | University of Cambridge | Creationism | Pink Iguana | Ida Fossil

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