Charles Darwin Research Paper

Charles Darwin, an English naturalist and geologist, is best known for his works on the “theory of evolution by natural selection.” He was born on February 12, 1809 in Shrewsbury, England to Robert and Susannah Darwin. Growing up, he was quiet and liked to be alone, often irritated and depressed about everything. Charles Darwin would often go on walks, collecting whatever interested him, one of his favorite hobbies, a useful skill he would later use in his research. As he grew up, he began to find interest in watching birds and hunting. Darwin would dream about trips to study local geology and botany, and luckily, he secured a position on the H.M.S. Beagle which, according to Darwin’s book “Voyage of the Beagle” was accurately described

On his numerous explorations, he would spend countless hours searching, recording and comparing animals he saw from one place to another. His encounters with the varied species on the Galapagos Islands gave Darwin the ideas and the evidence to support his theory. The people he met along the way encouraged him to observe and publish his work. Additionally, once his theory was known, people took his ideas, making new ones, sparking the exchange of other theories and ideas. Therefore, as a result of his extensive research and exploration of the Galapagos Islands through the different encounters of people and various species, Charles Darwin formulated his theory supported by

According to a painting drawn by one of the crew members, Conrad Martens, they even stopped by Spanish settlements along the way. Alfred Russel Wallace, a British naturalist and explorer had similar ideas and discovery about evolution as Darwin at around the same time. The rivalry between them to get their research out first, gave Charles Darwin the encouragement to quickly publish his book before Alfred, which resulted in him getting all the credit and being remembered as the founder of the theory. Although he competed with Alfred in the race to publication, they still became friends, and later Alfred supported and added onto his theory. After working for nearly 23 years on his theory of evolution by natural selection, his most famous book “On the Origin of Species” was finally published. People responded differently to the book, in both negative and positive ways. Many people disagreed with what the book said, but close friends of Darwin, such as Joseph Dalton Hooker, strongly supported him. Darwin even publicly acknowledges Hooker in the introduction of his book “On the Origin of Species” saying, “I cannot, however, let this opportunity pass without expressing my deep obligations to Dr. Hooker who for the last fifteen years has aided me in every possible way by his large stores of knowledge and his excellent judgement.” (Darwin, page 2, 3) During the 5 year journey,