Charles Darwin: Theory of Evolution
By Laura Davis 2005
What is Evolution?
• The term evolution refers to process of change • Charles believed that species would evolve and develop certain habits
Childhood
• Born in 1809 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England. • Went to boarding school when he was a boy
Travels
• Went to South America and Galapagos Islands to study plants and animals
Travels cont.
• wanted to prove that plants and animals could float their way to distant lands.
Experiments
• Experimented with plant seeds • soaked them in sea water for months, then planted them. To other naturalists surprise they germinated when planted.
Experiments Cont.
• Examined other island’s shores • found some seed pods had floated thousands of miles, proved his theory true
Famous Debate at Oxford
• Debate about evolution took place June 30, 1860.
•Debate was between Thomas Huxley, Bishop Wilberforce, and Joseph Hooker.
Books
• 1871, Descent of Man is published • 1874, second edition of Descent of Man is published • 1876, published autobiography
• Came up with four theories • 1)evolution did occur • 2)evolutionary change is gradual, occurs over billions of years. • 3)primary mechanism for evolution is called natural selection • 4)there is a branching process called specilization
Research
Downe House
• This is where he lived while he was not abroad.
Last Years
• Feb. to April 1882, experienced chest pains • April 19, 1882, Charles Darwin died at 4:00 PM
Did He Renounce Evolution On His Death Bed?
•Lady Elizabeth Hope claimed to have heard him renounce evolution. •Daughter Henrietta objected, saying that she was there also, and he would never renounce evolution
Bibliography
“Evolution” UXL Encyclopedia of Science. 2nd Edition/2002 Official Charles Darwin Website. May 2, 2005
Google. May 2, 2005
About Me
• My name is Laura Davis. I love playing soccer, going to the pool, traveling, and hanging out with my friends.