Charles Darwin

Charles Darwin was a British naturalist who lived from 1809 to 1882. He is best known for his theory of evolution by natural selection, which is the idea that organisms change over time through the process of natural selection.

Darwin was born in Shrewsbury, England, and he studied medicine and theology at the University of Cambridge. After graduating, he went on a voyage around the world on the HMS Beagle. During his voyage, Darwin collected many specimens of plants and animals, and he began to develop his theory of evolution.

After returning from his voyage, Darwin wrote a book called On the Origin of Species, which was published in 1859. In this book, Darwin explained his theory of evolution by natural selection.

Darwin's theory of evolution was controversial when it was first published, but it is now widely accepted by scientists. Darwin's theory has helped us to understand the diversity of life on Earth, and it has had a profound impact on our understanding of the natural world.

Imagine that you are a gardener. You plant a seed, and it grows into a plant. The plant has many different characteristics, such as the colour of its flowers or the shape of its leaves. These characteristics are passed down from the plant's parents. In the same way, Darwin's theory of evolution explains how organisms change over time. Organisms with characteristics that are better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. These organisms then pass their characteristics on to their offspring. Over time, this process of natural selection can lead to significant changes in an organism's population.

Charles Darwin was a British naturalist who developed the theory of evolution by natural selection.