Charles darwin biography ks2 technologies
The man who struggled with his own ideas
Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection made us rethink our place in the world. The idea that humans shared a common ancestor with apes was a challenge to the foundations of western civilisation.
Darwin kept silent for 20 years before going public and was only half joking when he described writing his book 'On the Origin of Species' as 'like confessing a murder'. This is the story of one man’s struggle with the most radical idea of all time.
12 Feb
Born into a free-thinking family
Charles Robert Darwin was born in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, the fifth of six children of wealthy and well-connected parents.
The young Charles had a quietly Christian upbringing, but his family life was one of openness to new ideas. His grandfathers had both been important figures of the Enlightenment: Josiah Wedgewood, industrialist and anti-slavery campaigner, and Erasmus Darwin, a doctor whose book ‘Zoonomia’ had set out a radical and highly controversial idea - that one species could 'transmute' into another.
New ideas in Edinburgh
Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, Darwin secured a place at Edinburgh University to study medicine.
He did not make a good medic. This was long before anaesthetic, and Darwin found the brutal techniques of surgery too stomach-churning to handle. But there was an upside. Edinburgh was one of the best places in Britain to study science. It attracted free thinkers with radical opinions that would not have been tolerated in Oxford and Cambridge. Among other things, Darwin heard speakers talk about the latest theories of transmutation, as evolution was then known.
Collecting beetles in Cambridge
Abandoning plans to be a doctor, Darwin now considered a career in the Church. Aged 18, he went to study Divinity at Cambridge.
Though he held fairly conventional beliefs in God, Darwin wasn Find out all about Charles Darwin, his life and his theory of evolution, along with some fascinating facts, to help you understand the scientific contributions of this famous naturalist! Explore our Evolution and Inheritance Lessons for KS2! Charles Darwin was a British naturalist who was born in The Mount House, Shrewsbury on the 12th February A naturalist is someone who studies things in nature such as animals and plants and how they live. He is best known for his theory of evolution. Charles Darwin studied the natural world over many years, taking part in expeditions to regions such asBrazil, Argentina, Chile, and remote islands such as the Galápagos. He spent five years travelling and gathering information. On his voyage on the HMS Beagle between and , Charles Darwin collected samples of plants, animals, rocks and fossils which he took home to England to study. These observations helped scientists to learn more about the way the Earth's surface is formed and how it has changed over time. Upon his return from his travels, Charles Darwin began to question the origin and adaption of species and how they have changed over time. In , Charles Darwin published his book ‘On the Origin of Species’ which outlined his theory of evolution. Darwin challenged the idea that God made all animals and plants on Earth. Instead, he suggested that species change over time, adapting to their environment. His theory included the idea of ‘natural selection’ or in other words ‘survival of the fittest’. This is where a variation of a species may change to suit its surroundings, adapting to make sure of its survival - however, another variation of a species may not be able to adapt as well and so the variation dies out. For years, Charles Darwin lived with a chronic condition. It was said that he suffered for many years with In , a young naturalist called Charles Darwin boarded a ship called the HMS Beagle and set out on a fantastic five-year voyage around the world to study and collect animal, plant and rock samples. Darwin was amazed at the variety of species he saw on his adventure. The Beagle visited the Galápagos Islands (a group of 19 islands and more than islets and rocks in the Pacific Ocean, about 1,km off the coast of Ecuador in South America) and while he was there Darwin collected specimens and made notes that would eventually change the way people thought about the world… Creature Clues? Darwin noticed that although the different islands had similar creatures and plants, many seemed to have adapted to suit their local environments. Finches (a type of bird), for example, had different beaks on each island, suited to eating the particular seeds or insects found there! He also noted remarkable differences between the mockingbirds found on San Cristobal, Floreana and two other islands. When he returned to England he devoted his time trying to figure out why they varied from place to place. The mystery solved In , Darwin revealed his ‘theory of evolution by natural selection’, to explain how animals adapted to their environment to survive. And the following year, he published On The Origin Of Species – a book that would change the world forever! Darwin explained how species can ‘evolve’ (change or develop) over time through a process called ‘Natural Selection’. This shocked everyone because, until then, it was widely believed that all the animals on the planet had been made at the same time by one creator. Some people still believe that today. But Darwin scientifically proved all the species on Earth had evolved from earlier species – and that includes us! English naturalist and biologist (–) For other people named Charles Darwin, see Charles Darwin (disambiguation). Charles Darwin JP FRS FRGS FLS FZS Darwin, c.&#;, when he was preparing On the Origin of Species Charles Robert Darwin Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England Down House, Down, Kent, England Charles Robert Darwin (DAR-win; 12 February &#;– 19 April ) was an English naturalist, geologist, and biologist, widely known for his contributions to evolutionary biology. His proposition that all species of life have descended from a common ancestor is now generally accepted and considered a fundamental scientific concept. In a joint presentation with Alfred Russel Wallace, he introduced his scientific theory that this branching pattern of evolution resulted from a process he called natural selection, in which the struggle for existence has a similar effect to the artificial selection involved in selective breeding. Darwin has been described as one of the most influential figures in human history and was honoured by burial in Westminster Abbey. Darwin's early interest in nature led him to neglect his medical education at the University of Edinburgh; instead, he helped to investigate marine invertebrates. His studies at the University of Cambridge's Christ's College from to encouraged his passion for natural science. H Charles Darwin KS2
Who is Charles Darwin?
What was Charles Darwin known for?
What did Charles Darwin discover?
How did Charles Darwin die?
Want to meet some of the incredible creatures that Darwin encountered on his voyage? Then join us as NG KiDS heads to the Gal&
Charles Darwin
Born
()12 February Died 19 April () (aged&#;73) Resting place Westminster Abbey Education Known&#;for Natural selection Spouse Children 10, including William, Henrietta, George, Francis, Leonard and Horace Parents Family Darwin–Wedgwood Awards Writing career Notable works Scientific career Fields Institutions Geological Society of London Academic advisors Author&#;abbrev. (botany) Darwin Author&#;abbrev. (zoology) Darwin