Scientist charles darwin biography theory and discoveries. Charles Darwin - English naturalist and traveler, creator of the theory of evolution
Name: Charles Robert Darwin
State: Great Britain
Field of activity: Science, zoology
Who among us has not heard a wonderful phrase - Man descended from apes. In general, if you look closely, you can find some similarities (and even more than one) between humans and primates. But, of course, it is impossible to say 100% that we are subspecies of great apes without scientific confirmation. Let us also recall the church interpretation of the origin of man - and primacy here will have absolutely nothing to do with it. For many centuries, scientists and biologists have tried to unravel this mystery - whether man and ape really come from the same ancestor.
Of course, in those days there were no suitable materials at hand to help in research. However, one of the scientists went down in history as the founder of the theory that people are descended from monkeys and have come a long way in evolution. Of course it's Charles Darwin. It will be discussed in this article.
Biography of Charles Darwin
The future naturalist and traveler was born into a fairly wealthy family on February 12, 1809 in the city of Shrewsbury,. His grandfather, Erasmus Darwin, was an eminent scientist and physician, as well as a naturalist who contributed greatly to scientific ideas about evolution. His son followed in his footsteps - Robert Darwin, father of Charles - he also practiced medicine, simultaneously doing business (in modern terms) - he bought several houses in Shrewsbury and rented them out, receiving good money in addition to the basic salary of a doctor. Charles's mother, Susan Wedgwood, also came from a wealthy family - her father was an artist and before his death left her a large inheritance, on which the young family built their house and called it "Mount". Charles was born there.
When the boy was 8 years old, he was sent to a school in his hometown. In the same period - in 1817 - Susan Darwin died. The father continues to raise children alone. Little Charles had difficulty studying - he considered the school curriculum boring, especially in literature and learning foreign languages. However, from the very first days at school, young Darwin joined the natural sciences. Later, as an adult, Charles began to study chemistry in more detail. During these years, he begins to collect the first collection in his life - shells, butterflies, various stones and minerals. By that time, the father did little to educate the offspring, and the teachers, seeing the complete lack of diligence on the part of the child, left him alone and issued a certificate in due time.
After graduating from school, the question of where and for whom to enter did not stand - Charles decided not to violate traditions and become a doctor, like his father and grandfather. In 1825 he entered the University of Edinburgh at the Faculty of Medicine. His father had pleasant memories of him - after all, he was taught there by the great chemist Joseph Black, who discovered magnesium, carbon dioxide. Of course, before such a serious study, it was necessary to practice a little, “get your hand in” - and Charles began working as an assistant to his father.
However, after studying for two years, Darwin realized that he was not at all interested in being a doctor. He found dissection of human bodies disgusting, presence during surgical operations terrified, and visits to hospital wards saddened. Moreover, attending lectures bored him. However, there was a topic that interested the young Englishman - zoology. But the father did not go towards his son - at his insistence, Charles is transferred to Cambridge university to the Faculty of Arts.
In early 1828, shortly before his twentieth birthday, Charles Darwin entered Cambridge. After three years, he received a bachelor's degree with grades. He spent most of his time hunting, dining, drinking and playing cards, all of which he enjoyed from the bottom of his heart. During his stay at Cambridge, Darwin continued to pursue his scientific interests, in particular botany and zoology: he showed the greatest interest in collecting various types of beetles.
As you know, the right acquaintances play a huge role in a person’s career. The same thing happened with Darwin. At Cambridge he met and became friends with Professor John Henslow, who introduced the young naturalist to his fellow naturalists and friends. In 1831 he completed his studies. Henslow understood that Darwin needed to put his knowledge into practice. It was during this period that the ship "Beagle" set off from Plymouth on a round-the-world voyage (with a stop in South America). Henslow recommended young Charles to the captain. The father was sharply opposed, but nevertheless, after much persuasion, he let his son go. So Charles Darwin set off. During the 6 years that the ship traveled the seas and oceans, Charles studied animals and plants, collected a large collection of specimens, including marine invertebrates.
Origin of Species by Charles Darwin
In 1837 he began keeping diaries in which he wrote down his observations on evolution. After 5 years, in 1842, the first notes on the origin of species appear.
The basis was the idea of natural selection. This idea first occurred to him in the Galapagos Islands, where he observed the fauna and noticed a new species of finch. After studying, he came to the conclusion that all finches are descended from one. Why then the same theory is not applied to man?
If we assume that once there was a single progenitor, a monkey, then over time, adjusting to weather and the climate, the appearance changed. Thus, the monkey turned into a man. In 1859, Darwin published a book that was translated into many European languages.
Darwin's contribution to biology cannot be overestimated. He created (without knowing it) the term "Darwinism", which, in fact, is synonymous with evolution. Throughout his adult life, he constantly collected various animals (even ancient bones) in his collection. Continuing to study evolution and natural selection.
The great scientist died at the age of 73 on April 19, 1882. Next to the last breath were his wife, Emma (his cousin) and children. The scientist was buried in Westminster Abbey, thus recognizing Darwin's enormous contribution to biology, botany and science in general.
Charles Darwin at the age of seven (1816), a year before the untimely death of his mother.
Charles' father is Robert Darwin.
The next year, as a natural history student, he joined the Pliny Student Society, which actively discussed radical materialism. At this time, he assists Robert Edmond Grant (Eng. Robert Edmund Grant) in his studies of the anatomy and life cycle of marine invertebrates. At the meetings of the society, in March 1827, he represents brief messages about his first discoveries, which changed the view of familiar things. In particular, he showed that the so-called bryozoan eggs Flustra have the ability to move independently with the help of cilia and are actually larvae; in another discovery, he notices that the small globular bodies, which were thought to be the young stages of the alga Fucus loreus, represent the egg cocoons of the proboscis leech Pontobdella muricata. Once, in Darwin's presence, Grant was praising Lamarck's evolutionary ideas. Darwin was amazed at this enthusiastic speech, but remained silent. He recently got similar ideas from his grandfather, Erasmus, by reading his zoonomy, and therefore was already aware of the contradictions of this theory. During his second year in Edinburgh, Darwin attended a course in natural history by Robert Jemison. Robert Jameson), which covered geology, including the controversy between Neptunists and Plutonists. However, then Darwin did not have a passion for the geological sciences, although he received sufficient training to reasonably judge this subject. During this time he studied plant classification and took part in the extensive collections at the University Museum, one of the largest museums in Europe of that period.
Cambridge period of life 1828-1831
While still a young man, Darwin became a member of the scientific elite.
Darwin's father, having learned that his son had abandoned his medical studies, was annoyed and suggested that he enter the Cambridge Christian College and receive the priesthood of the Anglican Church. According to Darwin himself, the days spent in Edinburgh sowed in him doubts about the dogmas of the Anglican Church. Therefore, before making a final decision, he takes time to think. At this time, he diligently reads theological books, and ultimately convinces himself of the acceptability of church dogmas and prepares for admission. While studying in Edinburgh, he forgot some of the basics necessary for admission, and so he studied with a private teacher in Shrewsbury and entered Cambridge after the Christmas holidays, at the very beginning of 1828.
Darwin began to study, but, according to Darwin himself, he did not go too deep into his studies, devoting more time to riding, shooting from a gun and hunting (fortunately attending lectures was a voluntary matter). His cousin William Fox William Darwin Fox) introduced him to entomology and brought him closer to a circle of people who were fond of collecting insects. As a result, Darwin develops a passion for collecting beetles. Darwin himself, in support of his passion, cites the following story: “Once, while tearing off a piece of old bark from a tree, I saw two rare beetles and grabbed one of them with each hand, but then I saw a third, some new kind, which I could not possibly miss, and I put that beetle , which he held in his right hand, into his mouth. Alas! He released some extremely caustic liquid, which burned my tongue so much that I had to spit out the beetle, and I lost it, as well as the third.. Some of his findings were published in Stevens' book. James Francis Stephens) "Illustrations of British Entomology" eng. "Illustrations of British entomology" .
Genslow, John Stephens
He becomes a close friend and follower of botanist professor John Stevens Genslow. John Stevens Henslow). Through his acquaintance with Henslow, he met other leading naturalists, becoming known in their circles as "The One Who Walks with Henslow" (Eng. “the man who walks with Henslow” ). As exams approached, Darwin focused on his studies. At this time he is reading "Proof of Christianity"(English) "Evidence of Christianity") William Paley William Paley), whose language and exposition delight Darwin At the end of his studies, in January 1831, Darwin made good progress in theology, studied the classics of literature, mathematics and physics, eventually becoming 10th out of 178 who successfully passed the exam.
Darwin remained at Cambridge until June. He studies the work of Paley "Natural Theology"(English) "Natural Theology"), in which the author gives theological arguments to explain the nature of nature, explaining adaptation as the action of God through the laws of nature. He is reading Herschel's new book. John Herschel), which describes the highest goal of natural philosophy as the comprehension of laws through inductive reasoning based on observations. Also Special attention he devotes to the book of Alexander Humboldt (eng. Alexander von Humboldt) "Personal Narrative"(English) "Personal Narrative"), in which the author describes his travels. Humboldt's descriptions of the island of Tenerife infect Darwin and his friends with the idea of going there, after completing their studies, to study natural history in the tropics. To prepare for this, he is enrolled in the Rev. Adam Sedgwick Geology course. Adam Sedgwick), and then goes with him in the summer to map rocks in Wales. Two weeks later, after returning from a short geologic tour of North Wales, he finds a letter from Henslow recommending Darwin as a suitable man for an unpaid naturalist position to the captain of the Beagle. HMS Beagle), Robert Fitzroy (eng. Robert FitzRoy), under whose command an expedition to the shores of South America should begin in four weeks. Darwin was ready to immediately accept the offer, but his father objected to this kind of adventure, because he believed that a two-year voyage was nothing more than a waste of time. But the timely intervention of his uncle Josiah Wedgwood II Josiah Wedgwood II) persuades the father to agree.
Naturalist's Journey on the Beagle 1831-1836
Voyage of the ship "Beagle"
On board were three Fuegians who had been taken to England on the Beagle's last expedition about February 1830. They had spent a year in England and were now brought back to Tierra del Fuego as missionaries. Darwin found these people to be friendly and civilized, while their compatriots looked like "wretched, degraded savages", just as domestic and wild animals differed from each other. For Darwin, these differences primarily demonstrated the importance of cultural superiority, not racial inferiority. Unlike his learned friends, he now thought that there was no unbridgeable gulf between man and animals. This mission was abandoned a year later. The fireman, who was named Jimmy Button (eng. Jemmy Button), began to live the same way as other natives: he had a wife and had no desire to return to England.
Beagle examines the atolls of the Cocos Islands, with the aim of elucidating the mechanisms of their formation. The success of this study was largely determined by Darwin's theoretical reflections. Fitzroy began writing official exposition trips Beagle, and after reading Darwin's diary, he suggests including it in the report.
During the trip, Darwin visited the island of Tenerife, the Cape Verde Islands, the coast of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Tierra del Fuego, Tasmania and the Cocos Islands, from where he brought a large number of observations. He outlined the results in the works "Diary of the research of a naturalist" ( The Journal of a Naturalist, ), "The Zoology of Traveling on the Beagle" ( Zoology of the Voyage on the Beagle, ), "Structure and distribution of coral reefs" ( The Structure and Distribution of Coral Reefs, ) and others. One of the interesting natural phenomena first described by Darwin in scientific literature, were ice crystals of a particular shape, penitentes, which formed on the surface of glaciers in the Andes.
Darwin and Fitzroy
Captain Robert Fitzroy
Before setting off on his journey, Darwin met with Fitzroy. Subsequently, the captain recalled this meeting and said that Darwin very seriously risked being rejected because of the shape of his nose. Being an adherent of the teachings of Lavater, he believed that there was a connection between the character of a person and the features of his appearance, and therefore he doubted that a person with such a nose as Darwin's could have had the energy and determination sufficient to make the journey. Despite the fact that "Fitzroy's temper was the most obnoxious", "he possessed many noble traits: he was faithful to his duty, extremely generous, courageous, resolute, possessed indomitable energy and was a sincere friend to all who were under his command." Darwin himself notes that the captain's attitude towards him was very good, “but it was difficult to get along with this man with the closeness that was inevitable for us, who dined at the same table together with him in his cabin. Several times we quarreled, because, falling into irritation, he completely lost the ability to reason. Nevertheless, there were serious disagreements between them on the basis of political views. FitzRoy was a staunch conservative, defender of Negro slavery, and encouraged the reactionary colonial policy of the British government. An extremely religious man, a blind adherent of church dogma, FitzRoy was unable to understand Darwin's doubts about the immutability of species. Subsequently, he resented Darwin for "publishing such a blasphemous book (he became very religious) as Origin of Species».
Scientific activities after returning
Darwin and religion
The death of Darwin's daughter, Annie, in 1851 was the final straw that turned the already doubting Darwin away from the idea of an all-good God.
In his biography of his grandfather Erasmus Darwin, Charles mentioned false rumors that Erasmus cried out to God on his deathbed. Charles concluded his story with the words: “Such were the Christian feelings in this country in 1802.<...>We can at least hope that nothing like it exists today.” Despite these good wishes, very similar stories accompanied the death of Charles himself. The most famous of these was the so-called "story of Lady Hope," an English preacher, published in 1915, which claimed that Darwin had undergone a religious conversion during an illness shortly before his death. Such stories were actively spread by various religious groups and eventually acquired the status of urban legends, but they were refuted by the children of Darwin and discarded by historians as false.
In December 2008, Creation, a biopic about Charles Darwin, was completed.
Marriages and children
Concepts associated with the name of Darwin, but to which he did not have a hand
Quotes
- "There is nothing more remarkable than the spread of religious infidelity, or rationalism, during the second half of my life."
- "There is no evidence that man was originally endowed with an ennobling belief in the existence of an omnipotent god."
- “The more we know the immutable laws of nature, the more incredible miracles become for us.”
Cited Literature
Sources
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- Arrhenius, O. (October 1921), "Influence of Soil Reaction on Earthworms", Ecology(no. Vol. 2, No. 4): 255–257 ,
- Balfour, J. B. (11 May 1882), "Obituary Notice of Charles Robert Darwin", Transactions & Proceedings of the Botanical Society of Edinburgh(no. 14): 284–298
- Bannister, Robert C. (1989) Social Darwinism: Science and Myth in Anglo-American Social Thought. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, ISBN 0-87722-566-4
- Bowler, Peter J. (1989) The Mendelian Revolution: The Emergence of Hereditarian Concepts in Modern Science and Society, Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, ISBN 0-485-11375-9
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- Browne, E. Janet (2002), Charles Darwin: vol. 2 The Power of Place, London: Jonathan Cape, ISBN 0-7126-6837-3
- Darwin, Charles (1835), Extracts from letters to Professor Henslow, Cambridge: ,
- Darwin, Charles (1839), Narrative of the surveying voyages of His Majesty's Ships Adventure and Beagle between the years 1826 and 1836, describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagle's circumnavigation of the globe. Journal and remarks. 1832-1836., vol. III, London: Henry Colburn ,
- Darwin, Charles (1842), "Pencil Sketch of 1842" , in Darwin, Francis, The foundations of The origin of species: Two essays written in 1842 and 1844., Cambridge University Press, 1909 ,
- Darwin, Charles (1845), Journal of researches into the natural history and geology of the countries visited during the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle round the world, under the Command of Capt. Fitz Roy, R.N. 2d edition London: John Murray ,
- Darwin, Charles & Wallace, Alfred Russel (1858), en:On the Tendency of Species to form Varieties; and on the Perpetuation of Varieties and Species by Natural Means of Selection, Zoology 3, Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society of London, pp. 46-50
- Darwin, Charles (1859), en:On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favored Races in the Struggle for Life ,
- Darwin, Charles (1868) The variation of animals and plants under domestication London: John Murray ,
- Darwin, Charles (1871), The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex(1st ed.), London: John Murray ,
- Darwin, Charles (1872) en:The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals London: John Murray ,
- Darwin, Charles (1887), Darwin, Francis, ed., The life and letters of Charles Darwin, including an autobiographical chapter London: John Murray ,
- Darwin, Charles (1958), Barlow, Nora, ed., en: The Autobiography of Charles Darwin 1809–1882. With the original missions restored. Edited and with appendix and notes by his granddaughter Nora Barlow London: Collins ,
- Desmond, Adrian J. (2004), "Darwin", Encyclopaedia Britannica(DVD ed.)
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- Dobzhansky, Theodosius (March 1973), "Nothing in Biology Makes Sense Except in the Light of Evolution", The American Biology Teacher 35
: 125–129,
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- van Wyhe, John (March 27, 2007), "
Charles Robert Darwin (1809-1882) - English naturalist, creator of Darwinism, foreign corresponding member of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences (1867). In the main work "The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection" (1859), summarizing the results of his own observations (swimming on the "Beagle", 1831-36) and the achievements of contemporary biology and breeding practice, he revealed the main factors of evolution organic world. In "Changing Domestic Animals and cultivated plants”(Vol. 1-2, 1868) Charles Darwin presented additional factual material to the main work. In book. "The Origin of Man and Sexual Selection" (1871) substantiated the hypothesis of the origin of man from an ape-like ancestor. Works on geology, botany and zoology.
There is nothing more unbearable than idleness.
Darwin Charles
Charles Darwin was born February 12, 1809, Shrewsbury, England. Died April 19, 1882, Down, near London; buried in Westminster Abbey
The largest and richest monasteries, which owned significant lands, often played in the feudal Western Europe an important religious, political and economic role (the abbeys of Cluny, Saint-Denis, Port-Royal, St. Gallen, Fulda, Montecassino, etc.).
During the Reformation, and especially during the bourgeois revolutions, the former importance of the abbey in public life European countries were undermined. Many abbots were eliminated, but some continue to exist today. Zodiac sign - Aquarius.
Never enter into friendship with a person whom you cannot respect.
Darwin Charles
Childhood, education and Darwin's family
Charles was the son of Robert Darwin, who practiced successfully as a physician in Shrewsbury. Mother - Suzanne Wedgwood - came from a wealthy family of owners of the famous porcelain factory. The Darwin family has been linked to the Wedgwood family for generations. Darwin himself married his cousin Emma Wedgwood. Darwin's grandfather - Erasmus Darwin - was a famous physician, naturalist, and poet. In general, representatives of the Darwin family are characterized by high intellectual qualities and broad cultural interests.
After the sudden death of his mother in 1817, Charles Darwin took up his education. elder sister Caroline. In the same year, Charles began attending a visiting school in Shrewsbury. He did not shine with success, but even then he developed a taste for natural history and for collecting collections.
In 1818, Charles Darwin entered Shrewsbury in a "big school" with a boarding house, which was "just an empty place" for him. From 1825-1827 Darwin studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh and from 1827-31 theology at Cambridge. In 1831-36, on the recommendation of the botanist J. Henslow and the Wedgwood family, Darwin got a job as a naturalist on the Beagle ship and made trip around the world He returned from a journey as a man of science.
Talk of fame, honor, pleasure and wealth is dirty compared to love.
Darwin Charles
In 1839 Charles Darwin married and the young family settled in London. Since 1842, the family has permanently lived in Down, a beautiful place, convenient for concentrated work and recreation. Darwin and his wife had 10 children, of whom three died in childhood.
Geology of Darwin
On December 27, 1831, the Beagle set sail. Darwin managed to take with him the just published 1st volume of "Principles of Geology" by Charles Lyell. This volume provided big influence on the formation of scientific views of a young researcher. Before the publication of Lyell's book, geology was dominated by the theory of catastrophes. Lyell showed that the geological forces that were at work in the past are still at work today. Darwin fruitfully applied the teachings of Lyell in relation to the object that he met on the path of the Beagle. It was the island of Sant'Iago. His study provided material for Darwin's first major generalization about the nature of oceanic islands. Darwin showed that both continental and island volcanoes are associated with large faults. earth's crust, with cracks formed in the process of uplift of mountain ranges and continents.
A person who dares to waste an hour of time has not yet realized the value of life.
Darwin Charles
Darwin's second generalization refers to the problem of secular movements of the earth's crust. During geological periods of enormous duration, the South American continent experienced repeated ups and downs, which alternated with periods of relative calm. Charles Darwin painted with broad strokes the origin of the Patagonian Plain and the gradual weathering (denudation) of the Cordilleras.
Darwin's most original geological work was his theory of the origin of atolls, or ringed coral islands. Darwin's biogenic theory is based on the idea that a coastal reef is built by corals on the coast of a mainland or island that is experiencing subsidence. The coral layer, which has sunk to a depth of more than 50 meters, dies out and only their calcareous structures remain.
The ability to blush is the most characteristic and most human of all human properties.
Darwin Charles
Paleontological and zoological research
Charles Darwin's research in these areas has received wide recognition, regardless of his theory of evolution. In the Quaternary deposits of the pampas of South America, Darwin discovered a large group of extinct giant edentulous. These monstrous animals, closely related to pygmy armadillos and sloths, were described in detail by anatomist and paleontologist R. Owen. He also found fossil remains of a huge ungulate animal - Toxodon, whose teeth resembled the teeth of rodents, a giant camel-like animal - macrouchenia, close in body structure to a llama and guanaco, a tooth of an extinct horse and many other forms. Darwin discovered a small ostrich, the so-called "Darwin's rhea", living in the southern part of Patagonia. He observed invaders from North and Central America (spectacled bear, maned wolf, pampas deer, hamster-like rodents, and others.). These materials could not but lead Darwin to the idea that the continent of South America had been isolated from North America for a long time and that this isolation had a significant effect on the flow evolutionary process in various representatives of the South American fauna.
Sympathy for someone else's joy is a much rarer gift than sympathy for someone else's suffering.
Darwin Charles
In the Galápagos, Charles Darwin was able to observe a striking divergence of both the giant tortoises and the finches that he studied so carefully and later called Darwin's finches. In 1846, Darwin completed his last monograph on geology and planned to come to grips with the questions of evolution. He wanted to devote several months to the study of barnacles. But this work dragged on until 1854. He created a fundamental work on the systematics of modern and extinct forms of this group of animals.
Evolutionary studies of Darwin
After the journey, Charles Darwin began to keep a systematic record of evolution. From 1837 to 1839 he created a series of notebooks in which he sketched out, in brief and fragmentary form, thoughts on evolution. In 1842 and 1844 he summed up in two steps a sketch and an essay on the origin of species. These works already contain many of the ideas that he later published in 1859.
In my opinion, lectures have no advantages compared to reading, but are inferior to it in many ways.,
Darwin Charles
In 1854-1855. Charles Darwin is starting to work on an evolutionary essay, collecting materials on variability, heredity and evolution wild species animals and plants, as well as data on breeding methods for domestic animals and cultivated plants, comparing the results of artificial and natural selection. He began to write a work, the volume of which he estimated at 3-4 volumes. By the summer of 1858 he had written ten chapters of this work. This work was never completed and was first published in the UK in 1975. The stoppage in work was caused by the receipt of the manuscript by A. Wallace, in which, independently of Darwin, the foundations of the theory of natural selection were outlined. Darwin began to write a short extract and, with unusual haste, completed the work in 8 months. On November 24, 1859, "The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favored Breeds in the Struggle for Life" was published.
Darwin's historical merit lies in the fact that he, together with Wallace, discovered the driving factor of evolution - natural selection, and thereby revealed the causes of biological evolution.
As a child, I often composed deliberate nonsense only in order to arouse the surprise of others.
Darwin Charles
Passions raged all over the world, there was a struggle for Darwin, for Darwinism, on the one hand, against Darwinism, on the other. Audiences buzzed, scientists and publicists worried, some branded Darwin, others admired him, and Charles Darwin continued to work at his Down.
C. Darwin wrote three more books on evolution. In 1868, a great work on the theory of artificial selection "Change in Domestic Animals and Cultivated Plants" was published. In this book, not without the influence of criticism, Darwin asked himself the question of how favorable deviations in offspring can be fixed, and put forward the "temporary hypothesis of pangenesis." The hypothesis assumed the transfer of acquired properties from the organs of the body to the germ cells with the help of hypothetical particles - "gemmules" and was a tribute to Lamarckism. Darwin and his contemporaries did not know that in 1865 the Austro-Czech naturalist abbot Gregor Mendel discovered the laws of heredity. The pangenesis hypothesis no longer needed to be created widely.
In 1871, when Darwinism was already accepted as a natural scientific concept, Charles Darwin's book The Origin of Man and Sexual Selection was published, which shows not only the undoubted similarity, but also the relationship between humans and primates. Darwin argued that the ancestor of man can be found in the modern classification, among forms that may even be lower than the great apes. Humans and apes undergo similar psychological and physiological processes in courtship, reproduction, fertility, and care of offspring. A Russian translation of this book appeared in the same year. The following year, Darwin's book Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals was published, in which, based on the study of the facial muscles and the means of expression of emotions in man and animals, their relationship is proved by one more example.
The more we know the immutable laws of nature, the more incredible miracles become for us.
Darwin Charles
Botany and plant physiology
All of Darwin's botanical and physiological studies were aimed at finding evidence of the natural origin of adaptations under the influence of natural selection. He found that trees tend to have flowers of the same sex, and the occurrence of cross-pollination leads to an increase in hybrid vigor (heterosis). The role of cross-pollination and evolution of species (plant - insect) was studied in detail by him in orchids.
Charles Darwin developed the concept of climbing ability as an adaptation by which a plant reaches light very economically. Such an adaptation was acquired by climbing plants in the course of the struggle for existence. Darwin traced the gradations (transitions) between the various adaptations of plants to a climbing way of life and established that the most perfect group among climbing plants are the vines.
Finally, in 1881, a year before his death, Charles Darwin published a major work on the role of earthworms in soil formation.
Only the frail and the weak die. Healthy and strong always wins in the struggle for existence.
Darwin Charles
Darwin's encyclopedic nature, his exceptional authority as a natural scientist, the correctness and diplomacy shown by him in discussions, attention to the points of view of opponents and critics, a benevolent attitude towards students and followers, respect towards senior colleagues and other "inimitably high virtues" (Ilya Ilyich Mechnikov ) to a large extent contributed to the rapid spread of Darwin's teachings throughout the world. (J.M. Gall)
More about Charles Darwin:
At the age of 9, Charles Darwin entered an elementary school, and a year later he moved to Dr. Butler's gymnasium and had very mediocre successes. Here they leaned mainly on classical languages, literature, etc. subjects for which Charles had neither the desire nor the ability. On the other hand, a love and interest in nature awakened in him very early, expressed at first by collecting plants, minerals, shells, insects, bird nests and eggs, fishing and hunting; however, the boy also collected seals, envelopes, autographs, coins, etc. These activities, in connection with mediocre school success, caused reproaches from respectable people and from his father.
The highest possible stage of moral culture is when we realize that we are able to control our thoughts.
Darwin Charles
In 1825, Charles Darwin entered the University of Edinburgh, where he remained for two years, preparing for a medical career, but without success. Then he decided to become a priest, for which he entered Cambridge; but here he completed the course without any distinction in the number "oi polloi" (many). Much more important than book learning was for him a personal acquaintance with naturalists, visits to learned societies and natural history excursions.
At the University of Edinburgh, Darwin met the geologist Ensworth and the zoologists Coldstrom and Grant, whom he often accompanied to the seashore, where they collected marine animals. The first (unpublished) work of Charles Darwin, containing some of his observations, dates back to this time. At Cambridge, he met Henslow, a botanist with extensive knowledge of other branches of natural science, who arranged excursions in which Darwin himself took part. By the end of his stay in Cambridge, Charles Darwin was already a naturalist-collector, but did not ask any specific questions.
Genslow recommended Darwin as a collector to Captain Fitzroy, who was undertaking a circumnavigation on behalf of the government on the ship Beagle. Charles stayed on the journey for five years (1831 - 1836) and got acquainted with nature in all its infinite diversity.
Suggestions of conscience in connection with repentance and a sense of duty are the most important difference between man and animal.
Darwin Charles
The collections collected by Charles Darwin were processed by R. Owen (fossil mammals), Waterhouse (modern mammals), Gould (birds), Belle (reptiles and amphibians) and Jennins (insects); this general work published under the title "The Zoology of the Beagle's Journey". Darwin himself took over the geological part of the journey. The result of his research was: "On the structure and distribution of coral reefs" (1842), "Geological observations on volcanic islands" (1844) and "Geological research in South America" (1846).
Darwin explained the origin of various forms of coral reefs by the gradual lowering of the seabed; his extremely simple and ingenious theory quickly established itself in science, but in Lately caused objections from Murray and others. The geological research of Charles Darwin, regardless of its actual value, delivered a number of important explanations in favor of the new, for that time, theory of uniformitarianism, which Lyell laid the foundation for geology. In addition to these special works, he published a diary of his journey (“Journey around the world on the ship Beagle”, 2 vols., translated under the editorship of Andrey Beketov) - a book remarkable for the richness of observations and simplicity of presentation. These works brought Darwin fame among scientists. Since then, he devoted his energies entirely and exclusively to science.
Science consists in grouping facts in such a way that it is possible to deduce from them general laws or conclusion.
Darwin Charles
Upon returning to England, Charles Darwin settled in London (where he married Emma Wedgwood in 1839), but poor health forced him to flee the city. In 1842 he moved to the Dawn estate, where he lived almost without a break until his death. The geological works mentioned above were followed by a number of special monographs devoted to the systematic processing of the barnacle subclass (Monogr. of Cyrrhipedia, 2 vols., 1851-54; M. of fossil Lepadidae, 1851; M. of Balanidae. 1854) precious for the taxonomy of this group of animals.
Already during the journey, Charles Darwin focused his attention on such phenomena that throw a bright light on the development of the organic world. Thus, he was occupied by the animal population of the oceanic islands (the Galopagos Islands, which he studied especially carefully in this respect, became a classical land in the eyes of naturalists), the geological succession of species. Especially important are his studies in South America, thanks to which the relationship between the living South American armadillos, tardigrades, etc., and the fossil representatives of these groups on the same mainland, was revealed in relief. But this was so far only an unaccountable desire of a broad and inquisitive mind, involuntarily rushing to the most difficult and mysterious problems. Only upon his return from a trip in 1837, he raised the question of the origin of species and decided to start developing it. In 1839, after reading the book of Malthus, he quite clearly formulated the idea of natural selection.
There is no evidence that man was originally endowed with an ennobling belief in the existence of an omnipotent god.
Darwin Charles
In 1842 Charles Darwin drew up the first draft of his theory; in 1844 - a more detailed essay, which he read to his friend J. Hooker. Then 12 years passed in collecting and processing the material, and only in 1856 Darwin, on the advice of Lyell, began to compose an "extract" from his work for publication. God knows when this “extraction” (calculated for 3-4 tons) would have seen the light of day, if in 1858 A.R. Wallas, who was engaged in natural historical research in the Malay Archipelago, had not sent Darwin an article containing in a fluent but distinct form, the same idea of natural selection, with a request to publish it in the journal of the Linnean Society.
C. Darwin consulted with friends, who persuaded him to publish, together with Wallas's article, a brief extract from his work. So he did, and then set about compiling a more detailed essay, which was published the following year, 1859, under the title: "Origin of species by means of natural selection" ("Origin of species by means of natural selection", translated by Rachinsky , 2nd ed., 1865).
There is nothing more remarkable than the spread of religious infidelity, or rationalism, during the second half of my life.
Darwin Charles
The theory of Charles Darwin (its essence and meaning is set out in Art. View, VI, 24) was developed so carefully, based on such a mass of facts, explained so many mysterious phenomena, finally indicated so many new paths for research that it established itself in science with remarkable speed, despite the fierce attacks of the opponents of transformism. She met the most hostile attitude in France, where she triumphed only by the end of the 70s.
Striking the living ideas about man, his origins, and so on, she naturally aroused rumors in general literature, in the daily press, among theologians and others. The terms "Darwinist", "Darwinism", "struggle for existence" have become current; Darwin's name gained such popularity as no other scientist had - in general, his theory made an impression unparalleled in the history of science. The culprit of all this movement led a calm, monotonous and secluded life on his estate. The slightest fatigue, excitement, lively conversation were extremely harmful to his poor health. It can be said that during the 40 years of his life in Dawn there was not a single day when Charles Darwin felt completely healthy. Only extreme regularity, caution and moderation in habits allowed him to live to a ripe old age. Constant malaise did not allow him to work hard; but the extreme accuracy and methodicalness in his studies, and especially the perseverance with which he conducted his research for decades (for example, one of his experiments on earthworms lasted 29 years), compensated for the damage caused by the disease.
Considering how savagely I was attacked by representatives of the Church, it seems amusing that at one time I myself had the intention of becoming a priest.
Darwin Charles
The hermit life of Charles Darwin was occasionally interrupted by trips to London, to relatives, to the seashore, etc., for rest and health improvement. Friends often gathered to see him - Hooker, Lyell, Forbes and others, and later, with the triumph of "Darwinism", Dawn began to attract visitors from the most distant countries. The charming impression that Darwin made on his guests with his friendliness and simplicity, childish gentleness, deep sincerity and modesty, contributed no less to his popularity as a person than The Origin of Species and other books to his fame as a scientist. However, his moral personality was also reflected in the books: extreme indulgence towards others and inexorable severity towards oneself constitute their characteristic feature. He was looking for weaknesses in his theories and all the essential objections to natural selection were foreseen by him and subjected to analysis in advance. This scientific rigor and honesty of Darwin contributed in no small way to the rapid success of his teaching.
Almost all of Charles Darwin's studies that have appeared since The Origin of Species represent a further development of his theory as applied to certain questions of biology. We list them by subject of study: the books “Adaptation of Orchids to Fertilization by Insects” (1862), “The Action of Self-pollination and Cross-Pollination in the Vegetable Kingdom” (1876) and “Different Forms of Flowers in Plants of the Same Species” (1877) clarified the biological the meaning of the flower and the mutual relationship between insects and plants. In the first of these works, he showed that the bizarre and varied forms of flowers in orchids represent the most amazing devices for fertilization with the help of insects that carry the pollen of one flower on the stigma of another; in the second, he proved experimentally the harm of constant self-fertilization with respect to many plants and the need for cross-pollination, which in most plants occurs due to insects attracted by flowers; in the third, he pointed out the existence in many plants of flowers of a double and even triple form, representing a very convenient adaptation for cross-pollination with the help of insects.
As a rule, not those who know a lot, but those who know little, declare most confidently that this or that problem will never be solved by science.
Darwin Charles
These works of Charles Darwin explained a whole world of phenomena that had remained incomprehensible until then. What is a flower, why these bright, colorful petals, bizarre shapes, fragrance, nectars, etc.? - There was no answer to all these questions. Now all this was explained in terms of the benefits of cross-pollination with the help of insects. Darwin's research on cross-fertilization generated a huge literature. Hildenbrand, Hermann Müller, Axel, Delpino, Lebbock, Fr. Müller and many other researchers developed this important chapter of biology in great detail.
D "Arcy Thomson in 1883 counted 714 works devoted to the fertilization of plants and caused by the works of Darwin. Two voluminous books: The Movements and Lifestyle of Climbing Plants (1876) and The Ability of Plants to Move (1880) are devoted to the movements of climbing and climbing plants and devices that they possess for wrapping other people's stems, for attaching to walls, etc. Charles Darwin reduces the various forms of these movements to the so-called "circumnutation", that is, the circular movement of the top of growing organs. common property plants, while such phenomena, striking in their expediency, as the movement of the tops of climbing plants, the folding of mimosa leaves, etc., are only more developed forms of this elementary movement, connected with it by gradual transitions.
Ignorance is always more certain than knowledge, and only the ignorant can say with certainty that the sciences will never be able to solve this or that problem.
Darwin Charles
In the same way, Charles Darwin was able to trace the transitions between various devices such as tendrils, trailers, hooks that help the plant to hold on to foreign objects - and reduce them to the simplest form, from which they developed by natural selection, which accumulated useful changes. Further to the field of botany are "Insectivorous Plants" (1875). The fact of the existence of insectivores, more precisely carnivores (since some of them also catch and eat small crustaceans, fish, etc.) was accurately established by Darwin, and the significance of a number of adaptations was explained, such as the flapping leaves of the flycatcher, the vesicles of Utricularia, the glandular leaves of the sundew. These works have brought Darwin one of the first places among the botanists of our age. He illuminated whole areas of phenomena that seemed dark and incomprehensible; discovered a lot of new and amazing facts.
In 1868, Charles Darwin published a huge work "The variations of animals and plants under domestication", translated by Vladimir Kovalevsky, 2 vols. The first volume presents a collection of data on artificial selection, on the origin of domestic animals and plants; the second sets out the general questions arising from these data: the laws of heredity, the phenomena of atavism, the influence of crossing within close limits, etc., and the least successful of Darwin's hypotheses, the hypothesis of pangenesis, with which he thought to explain heredity.
My main pleasure and only occupation throughout my life has been scientific work, and the excitement caused by it allows me to forget for a while or completely eliminates my constant ill health.
Darwin Charles
In 1871, Charles Darwin published the book The Origin of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex (translated by Sechenov, 1871). In the first part of this book, the question of the origin of man from a lower, ape-like form is dealt with; in the second - the theory of "sexual selection", according to which the features characteristic only of males - for example, the spurs of a rooster, the mane of a lion, the bright feathers and musical abilities of birds, etc. - arose due to the struggle or rivalry between males, since the strongest or the most beautiful are more likely to take possession of females and leave offspring.
The book On the Expression of Sensations in Man and Animals (1872) is an application of the theory of natural selection to such a seemingly capricious phenomenon as the play of physiognomy under the influence of various sensations. Some expressions depend on the known physiological processes and anatomical features of our body; others are adaptations inherited from distant ancestors; still others are the remnants of habits observed in higher animals, preserved in a half-erased, rudimentary state, as certain rudimentary organs have been preserved. In his last book, which appeared not long before Darwin's death, The Formation of Vegetable Earth Thanks to Worms (1881, Russian translation by Menzbier), he showed through experiments, measurements and calculations what an enormous work earthworms do on our soils and what useful significance they have. they are for the plant world.
If it weren't possible for me to survive my life, I would make it a rule for myself to read a certain amount of poetry and listen to music at least once a week. By such an exercise, I would be able to keep the parts of the brain active that have now atrophied.
Darwin Charles
As Charles Darwin's theory spread and its results were revealed in countless works, in the rapid transformation of all branches of biology, awards and distinctions from learned societies and institutions came to him. Darwin received (1864) the Copley gold medal from the Royal Society of London, the Prussian Order "Pour le merite" (1867), established by Frederick William IV for the award of scientific and literary merits, an honorary doctorate from Bonn, Breslau, Leiden, Cambridge (1877) universities; was elected a member of the St. Petersburg (1867), Berlin (1878), Paris (1878) academies (the latter honored Darwin with this distinction in respect of his actual merits, and not "problematic hypotheses"), an honorary member of various scientific societies.
Meanwhile, his strength was weakening. Charles Darwin was not afraid of death, but of senility, loss of mind and ability to work. Fortunately, he did not have to live to such a state. At the end of 1881, he felt very ill, soon he could no longer leave the house, but continued to study science and, on April 17, 1882, followed some experience. On April 19, Charles Darwin died at the age of 74. His body was transferred to Westminster Abbey and buried next to Newton's tomb.
In human society, some of the worst dispositions that suddenly, for no apparent reason, appear in the composition of family members may represent a return to a primitive state from which we are separated by not so many generations.
Darwin Charles
From scientists of the XIX century. hardly anyone had such a profound and universal influence as Charles Darwin. Having explained the process of development of the organic world with the help of the theory of natural selection, he thereby brought triumph to the idea of evolutionism; expressed a long time ago, but did not find a place in science. Whether the factors indicated by Darwin (the struggle for existence, variability and heredity) are sufficient to explain all the phenomena of development, or if further research will find new ones that have not yet been clarified, the future will show, but future biology will remain evolutionary biology. And other branches of knowledge, Social sciencies, anthropology, psychology, ethics, etc., have been and are being transformed in the sense of evolutionism, so that the book of Charles Darwin marks new era not only in biology, but in general in the history of human thought.
At the age of eight, Charles showed a love and interest in nature. He collected plants, minerals, shells, insects, even seals, autographs, coins, and the like, early on he became addicted to fishing and spent whole hours with a fishing rod, but he especially fell in love with hunting.
In 1825, making sure that schoolwork Charles would not be of much use, his father took him from the gymnasium and sent him to the University of Edinburgh to prepare for a medical career. The lectures seemed unbearably boring to him. For two years Darwin remained in Edinburgh. Finally, making sure that the son had no inclination towards medicine, the father suggested that he choose a spiritual career. Darwin thought and thought and agreed: in 1828 he entered the theological faculty of Cambridge University, intending to take the priesthood.
His studies here also retained their former character: very mediocre success in school subjects and diligent collection of collections - insects, birds, minerals, as well as hunting, fishing, excursions, observing the life of animals.
In 1831, Charles Darwin left the university among the "many" - the so-called students who completed the course satisfactorily, but without special distinctions.
Botany professor John Henslow helped Darwin make the final choice. He noticed Darwin's abilities and offered him a place as a naturalist on an expedition to South America. Before sailing, Darwin read the works of the geologist Charles Lyell. He took a newly published book with him on his journey. It was one of the few books of known importance in his development. Lyell, the greatest thinker of the time, was close in spirit to Darwin.
The expedition sailed in 1831 on the ship "Beagle" and lasted five years. During this time, the researchers visited Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and the Galapagos Islands - ten rocky islands off the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean, each of which has its own fauna. Charles Darwin, on a subconscious level, singled out those facts and phenomena that were in the closest connection with the greatest problems of natural science. The question of the origin of the organic world had not yet arisen before him in a clear form, but meanwhile he was already drawing attention to those phenomena in which the key to the solution of this question lay.
If I came across a new observation, or a thought that contradicted my general conclusions, I necessarily and without delay made a short note about them, for as I have seen from experience, such facts or thoughts usually slip from memory much sooner than those favorable for you. .
Darwin Charles
So, from the very beginning of the journey, Charles Darwin became interested in the question of how plants and animals moved. The fauna of the oceanic islands, the settlement of new lands, occupied him throughout the entire journey, and the Galapagos Islands, which he studied with particular care in this respect, became a classic land in the eyes of naturalists. Of great interest in his observations were transitional forms, which were precisely the object of annoyance and neglect on the part of taxonomists looking for "good", that is, well-defined species. Darwin remarks about one of these transitional families:
"It belongs to those which, in contact with other families, at the present time only hinder natural taxonomists, but in the end may contribute to the knowledge of the great plan according to which organized beings were created."
In the pampas of South America, Charles Darwin stumbled upon another set of facts that formed the basis of evolutionary theory - the geological succession of species. He managed to find many fossils, and the relationship of this extinct fauna with the modern inhabitants of America (for example, giant megatheriums with sloths, fossil armadillos with living ones) immediately caught his eye.
On this expedition, Charles Darwin collected a huge collection of rocks and fossils, compiled herbariums and a collection of stuffed animals. He kept a detailed diary of the expedition and subsequently made use of many of the materials and observations made on the expedition.
On October 2, 1836, Darwin returned from his travels. At this time he was 27 years old. The question of a career was decided by itself, without much thought. Not that Darwin believed in his ability to "advance science", but there was nothing to talk about it either: he had huge materials, rich collections on hand, he already had plans for future research, it remained, without further ado, to get to work. Darwin did just that. He devoted the next twenty years to processing the collected materials.
The travel diary he published was a great success. Artless simplicity of presentation is its main advantage. Charles Darwin cannot be called a brilliant stylist, but the love of nature, subtle observation, diversity and breadth of the author's interests make up for the lack of beauty of presentation.
For several months he lived in Cambridge, and in 1837 he moved to London, where he spent five years, revolving mainly in the circle of scientists. Accustomed to living among free nature, he was weary of city life. Of the scientists, Charles Darwin became especially close friends with Lyell, and with Hooker their friendship continued until Darwin's death. Hooker helped him a lot with his vast knowledge, finding, in turn, a source of further research in his ideas.
In general, these years were the most active period in Darwin's life. He often visited society, worked hard, read, made reports in learned societies, and for three years was the honorary secretary of the Geological Society.
In 1839 he married his cousin, Miss Emma Wedgwood. Meanwhile, his health was getting weaker and weaker. In 1841, he wrote to Lyell: "I was bitterly convinced that the world belongs to the strong and that I would not be able to do anything more than follow the progress of others in the field of science." Fortunately, these sad forebodings did not come true, but the rest of his life was spent in a continuous struggle with the disease. The noisy city life became unbearable for him, and in 1842 he moved to the estate Dawn, located near London, which he bought for this purpose.
Settling in Downa, Charles Darwin spent forty years of a calm, monotonous and active life. He got up very early, went for a short walk, then had breakfast at about eight o'clock and sat down to work until nine-thirty-thirty. It was his best working time. At half-past nine he began to read letters, of which he received a great many, and from half-past ten to twelve, or half-past twelve, he again studied. After that, he considered his working day over and, if the classes were successful, he said with pleasure: “Today I did a good job.” Then he went for a walk in any weather, accompanied by his beloved dog, Polly the Pinscher. He loved dogs very much, they answered him the same. Hermit life in Downe diversified from time to time with trips to relatives, to London, to the seashore.
IN family life Charles Darwin was quite happy. “In his relationship with my mother,” said the son of the scientist Francis Darwin, “his sympathetic, sensitive nature was most striking. In her presence he felt happy; thanks to her, his life, which otherwise would have been overshadowed by difficult impressions, had the character of calm and clear contentment.
The book On the Expression of Sensations shows how carefully Darwin observed his children. He was interested in the smallest details of their lives and hobbies, played with them, told and read, taught them to collect and identify insects, but at the same time he gave them complete freedom and treated them in a comradely manner.
In business matters, Darwin was meticulous to the point of scrupulousness. He kept his accounts very carefully, classified them and at the end of the year summed up the results like a merchant. His father left him a fortune that was enough for an independent and modest life.
His own books gave him a significant income, which Charles Darwin was not a little proud of because of the love of money, but because of the consciousness that he, too, could earn his bread. Darwin often provided financial assistance to needy scientists, and in the last years of his life, when his income increased, he decided to allocate part of his money to promote the development of science.
The patience and perseverance with which Darwin carried out his work is amazing. The "pangenesis" hypothesis is the result of twenty-five years of reflection on the question of the causes of heredity. He wrote the book "On the Expression of Sensations" for 33 years: in December 1839 he began to collect materials, and in 1872 the book was printed. One of the experiments on earthworms lasted as long as 29 years! For twenty-one years, from 1837 to 1858, he worked out the question of the origin of species before he decided to publish a book.
The book was a huge success and made a lot of noise, as it contradicted traditional ideas about the origin of life on Earth. One of the boldest thoughts was the assertion that evolution continued for many millions of years. This was contrary to the Bible's teaching that the world was created in six days and has not changed since. Today, most scientists use a modernized version of Darwin's theory to explain changes in living organisms. Some reject his theory on religious grounds.
Charles Darwin discovered that organisms compete with each other for food and habitat. He noticed that even within the same species there are individuals with special features that increase their chances of survival. The offspring of such individuals inherit these traits, and they gradually become common. Individuals that do not have these traits die out. So, after many generations, the whole species acquires useful features. This process is called natural selection. He managed to solve the greatest problem of biology: the question of the origin and development of the organic world. We can say that the entire history of the biological sciences falls into two periods: before Darwin - an unconscious desire to establish an evolutionary principle, and after Darwin - a conscious development of this principle, established in the Origin of Species.
One reason for the theory's success is to be found in the merits of Darwin's book itself. It is not enough to express an idea, it is also necessary to connect it with facts, and this part of the task is perhaps the most difficult. If Charles Darwin had expressed his thought in a general form, like Wallace, it certainly would not have produced even a hundredth of its effect. But he traced it to the most remote consequences, connected it with the data of various branches of science, backed it up with an indestructible battery of facts. He not only discovered the law, but also showed how this law manifests itself in various spheres of phenomena.
Almost all of Darwin's studies that appeared after The Origin of Species represent the development of certain particular principles of his theory. The only exceptions are a book on earthworms and a few small notes. All the rest are devoted to solving various problems of biology - for the most part the most intricate and complex from the point of view of natural selection.
In 1862, C. Darwin published his work Pollination of Orchids, proving that plants adapt to environment no less amazing than the animals. For a while, he gives his scientific predilections to plant life, each of his subsequent books impresses fellow botanists. The works "Insectivorous Plants" and "Climbing Plants" appeared simultaneously in 1875.
Charles Darwin also made his contribution to the future science of genetics by starting experiments on crossing species. He proved that plants that are obtained as a result of crossing are more viable and fruitful than with simple self-pollination.
Almost every new job Darwin became a sensation in the scientific world. True, not all of them were accepted by his contemporaries, as happened, for example, with the study "Formation of plant soil through the activity of worms" (1881). In it, Darwin explained the benefits of worms, which mix the soil naturally. Today, when people think a lot about the pollution of the earth chemical fertilizers, this issue has resurfaced.
But his interests were not limited to theoretical studies. In one of his works, Charles Darwin gave practical advice on breeding thoroughbred English hogs. As his theory spread and the results were found in countless works, in the rapid transformation of all branches of knowledge, patented scientists, academic luminaries were reconciled to the merits of the great naturalist. In 1864, he received the highest award that a scientist at the academy can receive: the Kopleev gold medal. In 1867, Darwin was awarded the Prussian Pour Ie merite, established by Frederick William IV to reward scholarly and literary merit. Bonn, Breslavl, Leiden universities elected him an honorary doctor; Petersburg (1867), Berlin (1878), Paris (1878) academies - corresponding member.
Darwin treated all these and other official awards with great indifference. He lost his diplomas and had to inquire with his friends whether he was a member of such and such an academy or not. The mind of the scientist did not weaken, did not darken over the years, and only death interrupted his mighty work.
Charles Darwin - quotes
Some of the great discoveries that have advanced science can be called "easy", but not in the sense that they were easy to make, but in the sense that once they have been made, they are easy to understand for everyone.
Ignorance is always more self-confident than knowledge, and only the ignorant can say with certainty that the sciences will never be able to solve this or that problem.
I cannot recall a single hypothesis that I originally formulated that would not have been rejected or changed by me after some time...
If it could be shown that there is a complex organ that could not be formed by numerous successive weak modifications, my theory of evolution would be a complete failure. But I can't find such a case.
Charles Robert Darwin was born in the winter of 1809 in England. His parents had six children. The father of the family worked as a doctor. The family was wealthy. One of Charles' grandfathers was a scientist and the other an artist. The boy liked the story. Another hobby was collecting. At the age of eight he entered the school. Charles' mother died soon after. The following year, the father sent the boy and his older brother to a boarding school. The child didn't like it. He began collecting insects and minerals. He liked hunting and chemistry.
Then the young man entered the university to study medicine. But she seemed uninteresting to him, and he moved to the Faculty of Natural History. Charles worked with plants in the museum.
Then the young researcher studied to be a priest. He devoted much of his time to horseback riding and hunting. A relative of Charles introduced him to insect collectors. The researcher himself began to collect beetles. A professor of botany becomes the best friend of a young man. Charles did well in his exams.
The explorer read and traveled a lot. When his studies at the university ended, the young man went on an expedition. There he began to doubt the existence of God. He recorded his observations and collected. As a result, he made important discoveries.
The researcher was married. His chosen one was Charles's cousin. She played the piano well and was fond of archery. The couple had ten children. Some of them were in poor health. The scientist concluded that the reason for the sickness of the children was that he and his wife were relatives. When their daughter died, the scientist completely stopped believing in God. Charles' wife was a philanthropist. She helped people with money and food. Many children of spouses have succeeded in life.
The researcher has received many awards for his work.
The explorer died in the spring of 1882. He made a huge contribution to the development of science. Many geographical features were named after him, as well as animals, insects and plants.
Read the biography of Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin was born on February 12, 1809, in Great Britain, Shropshire, the city of Shrewsbury, in the estate of his father. His father was a wealthy doctor and financier. In a simple local school, he learned his initial knowledge. As a child, his attention was drawn to natural science and collecting. 1818 Charles continues his studies at Shrewsbury. Practically, all his free time he hunts, collects butterflies and natural minerals. remained indifferent to humanities, he was not good at studying them.
At the University of Edinburgh he continued his studies (1825). He began studying medicine, later becoming interested in taxidermy and natural history. During this period he took part in a scientific trip to South America. As an assistant, he takes part in the study of body structure and the life cycle of marine invertebrates, together with Robert Grant. Happens in the classes of Robert Jameson in natural history (geology). He studied plants and worked in the university museum.
Further, on the advice of his father, he enters the University of Cambridge (1828), with the aim of trying on the priesthood of the English Church. At the university, Charles rarely attends lectures, and does a lot of horse riding and hunting. Befriended people who are addicted to insects. Collects beetles. Befriends John Grenslow, professor of botany. Interested in the works of Paley, von Humboldt and Herschel.
In 1861, he completed his studies at the university and set off on a round-the-world trip on the Beagle ship. During the journey, he collects a large collection of animals, examines and observes the geology of the areas along the way. Finds the fossilized remains of dead animals. During the entire journey, Charles carefully studied the environment, recorded observations and conclusions, and sent part of the information to his homeland. He returned from his travels in 1836.
In 1838 he received the post of secretary of the London Society of Geologists. A year later, he married and the first scientific book was published, written on the basis of notes taken during a scientific expedition. With his wife he went to live in the city of Down, in Kent (1842). Here the couple lived all their lives and devoted time to scientific work.
Charles' work on the origin of species, first published in 1842, was a short note. All work on this topic took, from the biologist Charles, more than 10 years. In 1858, a work on the theory of the origin of species was presented to the scientists in full. A year later, a work was published, which was called "The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection" as a supplement to the previous work. In addition to these works, Charles Darwin published many more significant works on heredity, selection, the formation of coral reefs and much more.
Most of the works were successful and recognized by the scientific world of that time. The main work of the scientist on natural selection found positive reviews only in the 50s of the 20th century.
The scientist died in the city of Down, where he lived most of his life, on April 19, 1882. His remains lie in Westminster Abbey.
Interesting facts and dates from life
(1809 - 1882)
Charles Robert Darwin was born on February 12, 1809 in Shrewsbury, England. Darwin was born on the same day as Abraham Lincoln. He was the fifth child and second son of Robert Waring Darwin and Susan Wedgwood. Charles was a British naturalist who became famous for his theory of human evolution - "Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution" and the theory of natural selection. Like some other scientists, he believed that life on earth evolved (and continues to evolve) over millions of years from several common ancestors.
In 1831, Darwin joins 26-year-old Captain Robert FitzRoy to circumnavigate the world on the Beagle. This ship was sent on a scientific expedition. In the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean, Charles noticed many differences between plants and animals of the same type in South America. The expedition visited many places around the world where Darwin studied plants and animals wherever he went, collecting specimens for further research.
Upon his return to London in 1836, Charles Darwin made a thorough examination of his notes and samples. Several related theories emerged from this study:
- evolution was in fact;
- evolutionary change was gradual, requiring several thousand to millions of years;
- The main mechanism of evolution is a process called natural selection.
- millions of species of life today have evolved from one initial life form through a branching process called speciation.
Evolution theoryCharlesDarwin believes that changes within a species occur by chance, and that the survival or extinction of each organism is determined by the ability of the organism to adapt to its environment. Darwin set forth these theories in his book The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Survival of Favored Breeds in the Struggle for Life (1859) or, briefly, The Origin of Species. After the publication of On the Origin of Species, Darwin continued to write works on botany, geology, and zoology until his death in 1882. Charles Robert Darwin is buried in Westminster Abbey.
Darwin's research had a huge impact on religion. Many people were categorically against the theory of evolution, as it conflicted with their religious beliefs. Darwin avoided talking about the theological and sociological aspects of his work, but other writers used his theories to support their own theories about society. Charles Darwin was a discreet, attentive, hardworking scientist who cared about the feelings and emotions of not only his family, but also friends and even colleagues.
There is speculation that Darwin abandoned his theory of evolution on his deathbed. Shortly after his death, evangelist Lady Elizabeth Hope claims she visited Charles Darwin just before his death and witnessed him retract his theory. Her story was printed in a Boston newspaper and then spread around the world. Lady Hope's story was refuted by Darwin's daughter, Henrietta, who stated: "I was on with my father before he died... He did not renounce any of his scientific views, then or before."
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