Charles Darwin

Charles Robert Darwin was a British biologist. He took part in a 5-year expedition on the Beagle, a ship that traveled the world. His discoveries led to the publication of The Origin of Species, a major work in which he described his theory of the evolution of living organisms. The process behind this evolution is now better known as natural selection.

• 1809: Charles Robert Darwin is born in England on February 12.

• 1831: Darwin begins his great expedition on the Beagle. The voyage lasts 5 years.

• 1836: Darwin publishes The Beagle Diary, making him a household name in the scientific community.

• 1859: The Origin of Species is published, to mixed reviews (scientists and clerics disagree on the theory of evolution).

• 1871: The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex is published.

• 1872: The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals is published.

• 1882: Darwin dies of a serious illness on February 19.