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

Research• 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

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 <www.aboutdarwin.com>

Google. May 2, 2005 <www.google.com>

About Me

• My name is Laura Davis. I love playing soccer, going to the pool, traveling, and hanging out with my friends.