Darwin and the Origin of Species

Charles Darwin's parents were Robert Darwin, a free-thinking physician, and Susannah Wedgewood, who died when he was eight. Charles was the fifth of six children born in the family home of Shrewsbury and the biggest diappointment to his father, because instead of studying Latin he spent his childhood collecting things. His father sent him to Scotland to study medicine when he was sixteen, although he eventually realized his son wasn't interested in it. He then sent Charles to Cambridge Univeristy where the only thing that captured his interest was geology. When he was twenty-two he was invited by a fellow natural historian to join Captain FitzRoy on a journey around the world. Afetr convincing his father to let him go, he set out on th HMS Beagle on December 27, 1831. Darwin spent most of his time on the five year journey collecting and investigating nature and geology. He took careful notes and observations in his journal, noticing unsual creatures and comparing varieties of species. By the time the journey was over he was beginning to realize he had uncovered some fundamental facts on the origin of species. By the time he returned to England his journal entries and letters had made him famous among English scientists. By mid-March 1837 he was speculating about how species seem to adapt over time and that there were few differences among animals and humans. After years of studying and writing notes, essays, and books Darwin finally had enough to start writing his theory, although he was ill, overworked, and had been neglecting his wife, Emma, and their children. His theory of natural selection has to do with the fact that more creatures are born than can survive. He wrote that any creature who has a slight benefit over the other will live instead of the other. He also says that species will adapt to be better suited to survive in their environment and ends with saying that species will always continue to evolve. Although scientists over the world immediately adapted Darwin's theory the Church had mixed reviews. A few interpreted his theory as God's design for all living creatures, but most religious people called him a heretic and an atheist. They claimed he had broken God's laws and gone against the belief of creation. It was widely seen as a triumph of science over religion. Although he had quickly become famous, the theory gave Darwin a lot of anguish. Not only did it make him ill but it cut his ties with God and with religion, separating him from the rest of the world. It also temporarily caused problems between him and his wife Emma and his favorite daughter Annie died while he was writing it. Overall, by the time he was finished he was an old and changed man.