‘On the Origin of the Species’ is Charles Darwin’s groundbreaking treatise on how life developed on this planet. Darwin’s theories on evolutionary science and natural selection have since formed the basis for modern scientific beliefs in how species – over thousands, even millions of years – adapt and change depending on their surroundings, their changing environment and the threat of predators by making incremental changes to their own physical makeup in order to survive and thrive on planet Earth.
The book – originally published in 1859 – has since been hailed as a signature achievement in science and the theories posited by Darwin almost two centuries ago are now central to the understanding of how life on this globe evolved and adapted. ’On the Origin of the Species’ is presented here in its original and unabridged format.
About the author
Charles Darwin (1809-1882) was an English naturalist, geologist and biologist who helped develop the theories that form the basis of evolutionary biology. His book ‘On the Origin of the Species’ was a groundbreaking piece of scientific literature that turned field of natural science on its head by promoting the (later confirmed) theory of natural selection as a means of advancing the growth of various species of animals and plants on this Earth. Originally enrolled at the University of Edinburgh to pursue a degree in medicine, Darwin instead drifted towards the natural sciences and transferred to the University of Cambridge’s Christ College to continue in his studies into geology and biology. Then, in 1831, Darwin embarked on a life-changing, five-year voyage aboard the HMS Beagle, ostensibly to study geology. What Darwin found – as he examined wildlife and fossils from around the world on this voyage – was evidence that led him to form the basis for his theory of evolutionary science, which posited that species learn to adapt and change over thousands – even millions – of years to better cope with their environment, protect them from predators and become stronger and more resilient. While Darwin was developing this theory, he came in contact with fellow scientist Alfred Russel Wallace, who was developing work along the same lines and the two men collaborated on a submission of their theory to the Linnean Society of London in 1858. After years of research, Darwin was finally able to complete ‘On the Origin of Species, ‘ which united all of his theories into one comprehensive work. An enormously successful book upon its publication, it has since been lauded as one of the most significant scientific books in history and the theories of evolution and natural selection have become the bedrock of scientific understanding of the diversity of life on this planet. Upon his death in 1882, Charles Darwin was awarded the rare honor of being buried in Westminster Abbey next to fellow groundbreaking scientists John Herschel and Isaac Newton.
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