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Evidence of evolution began to be recognised as far back as the eighteenth century, but naturists could not yet identify an explanation for this evidence. Jean-Baptiste Pierre Antoine de Monet (1744-1829) was an early advocate of evolution and believed that it proceeded in accordance with natural laws.

Thus Charles Darwin (1809-1892) was not the first to study evolution, but he was the first to recognise the role of natural selection in evolution. He had studied medicine, before dropping out and studying taxidermy, then natural history. His father enrolled Charles to study theology, hoping he would become a clergyman. Charles Darwin developed the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection after observing the evidence for evolution during his voyage in HMS Beagle. The captain of the Beagle was already aware of evolutionary theories that were already beginning to shock Christian believers in Europe, and had hoped that by having a naturalist on board he might obtain geological evidence to refute the them. During the voyage, from 1831 to 1836, Darwin travelled hundreds of miles inland, from country to country, trying to interpret the fauna, flora and geological formations. He then spent a further twenty years gathering and investigating evidence before publishing his conclusions.

Darwin's Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection says that species evolved over time in response to changes in the natural environment, and is seen by scientists as the best explanation for the facts. Darwin wrote Origin of Species in 1859 and The Descent of Man in 1871.

The English naturalist Alfred Russell Wallace also invented the theory of natural selection, independent of Charles Darwin. However, he believed that natural selection did not apply to humans, because our evolution was divinely guided. In the years since, paleoanthropologists have found ample evidence that human evolution did occur as the result of natural selection, just as the evolution of all other species did.

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Related Questions

What year did Charles Darwin produce his theory on evolution?

The theory was rather well formed by 1839, but " The Origin Of Species ", which elucidated the theory, was not published until 1859.


Does the theory of evolution explain the origin of life?

No, the theory of evolution explains the changes in species over time through natural selection. The origin of life is explained by abiogenesis, which is the theory that life arose from non-living matter.


What is the evolution theory of the creation of the universe?

Evolution does not concern the origin of the universe. Evolution is a theory concerning the origin of species--diverse biological organisms--via mechanisms of inheritance with modification. The origin of the universe is best dealt with by the Big Bang theory.


What theories were developed during the Hellenistic age?

the theory of evolution and the origin of mankind


What is the name of Charles Darwin's famous book about the theory of evolution?

the origin of species


When was the theory of evolution discovered?

The theory of evolution was proposed by Charles Darwin in his book "On the Origin of Species" published in 1859. However, the idea of evolution had been discussed by earlier naturalists and scientists before Darwin.


Charles Darwin was most famous for?

The theory of Natural Selection as the origin of species.


Who was the First to propose a theory of evolution?

Charles Darwin is credited with proposing the theory of evolution through natural selection in his book "On the Origin of Species" published in 1859.


Who is the scientist that proposed the theory of the origin of the species?

Charles Darwin is the scientist who proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection in his book "On the Origin of Species" published in 1859.


What is Charles Darwin's claim to fame?

Charles Darwin was not an inventor, he was a discoverer. He discovered a hypothesis for the origin and continuation of life on Earth. His theory is also called the Theory of Evolution.


When did Charles Darwin formulated his evolution theory?

Charles Darwin formulated his theory of evolution by natural selection in the mid-19th century, and it was published in his book "On the Origin of Species" in 1859. His theory revolutionized our understanding of the diversity of life on Earth.


Who had the theory of evolution?

Charles Darwin is most known for his theory of evolution, outlined in his book "On the Origin of Species" published in 1859. His theory proposed that species evolve over time through a process of natural selection.