Introduction
Possibly nobody has controlled our knowledge regarding life in this world as much as Charles Darwin, the English biologist (1809-1882). His natural selection evolution theory, currently life sciences uniting supposition, explained the origin of all the amazingly different types of living things and also how they became gracefully tailored to their specified niche. His hypothesis prepared to accept a host of varied types of evidence for instance fossil forms progressive nature (in the geological record), the species ecological distribution, embryology recapitulative emergence, (homologous) structures, (organs) vestigial as well as taxonomic (nesting) relationships. No other elucidation after or even before has made these facts appear sensible.
In addition, Darwin illustrated that the disparity between other animals and human beings varies in degree but not kind. In literature zoology, theology, geology, botany, taxonomy, philosophy, paleontology, anthropology, and psychology Darwin’s writings elicited thoughtful reactions, many of which continues to generate heat and controversies. Hitherto even with the absence of his evolutionary works, Darwin’s achievements would be hard to match. His brightly innovative work in botany, psychology, zoology (invertebrate), geology, scientific travel, and biogeography writing would with no doubt make him one of the most innovative and significant personnel in the science history. Darwin’s publications are therefore of significance to an enormously wide range of scholars.
Life History
Charles Robert Darwin, a renowned scientist, was born in England on 12th February 1809. His mother was Susannah the wife to Robert Waring. Darwin’s mother passed on when Charles was a small boy (8 years old) and it was his sister who took charge of the upbringing. Darwin got his primary education at Shrewsbury Grammar School, and then sent to study theology at Christ’s College in Cambridge (1827). Throughout that period Darwin treasured collecting geological, insects, and plants specimens under the watch of William Darwin (his cousin) who was an entomologist. His scientific fondness was supported by John Stevens, his botany professor (Wyhe, 2010).
He took a five year expedition through visiting Tenerife, Aires, Tahiti, among other towns. Through the journey, Darwin collected immense knowledge of the trees, geology, and animals that existed on earth thus equipping him sufficiently for further investigations (to be carried later on). By the year 1846, Darwin had a number of publications relating to zoological and geological discoveries of his expedition—works that catapulted him in the scientists front rank. Between 1938 – 1841, Darwin served as the Geological Society’s secretary. At this time he had Sir Charles as his friend. In 1839, Darwin married his cousin Emma Wedgwood.
Darwin lived at Down House (from 1842) and gathered invaluable knowledge in matters relating to animal interbreeding as well as variation. While at Down House, Darwin dwelt on the species origin problem. In 1842 Darwin made some notes relating to the observations he made while at Down House. Later on, in 1844, Charles expounded on the sketched short notes for his personal use. These made flesh the natural selection principle; however, he was not in a hurry to publish his hypothesis.
Nevertheless, in 1858 Alfred Wallace sent him a journal of the Malay Archipelago, which surprisingly contained his natural selection theory main idea. Joseph and Lyell convinced him to present his own paper based on the 1844 drawn sketch. His paper was read concurrently with that of Wallace’s, in 1858, before the Linnean Society. Neither Wallace nor Darwin availed himself at that remarkable occasion (Anonymous: Charles (Robert) Darwin (1809 – 1882), N.d).
He then embarked on compressing his bulky notes thus polishing his immense work On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection that was published in 1859. This publication was viciously attached throughout Europe because it defied the book of Genesis in matters regarding creation. Surprisingly though, the publication was later successful in attaining recognition from nearly all biologists.
He tirelessly worked on a chain of supplemental articles for instance The Fertilization of Orchids published in 1862 among others that injected fresh controversy through their suggesting that human beings evolved from a hairy animal that belonged to the great anthropoid group. The publications further noted that human beings were closely related to the chimpanzee, gorilla and other primates. Later publications include Insectivorous Plants in 1875 among others.
Later in time, in the year 1882, Charles Darwin succumbed to a long sickness leaving behind eight children, most of whom attained great distinction.
Charles Darwin’s important scientific achievements
Charles Darwin and his achievements are of great importance since they give shape to people’s view of evolution, natural history as well as classifying plant and animal species and the founding of genetics study. One of the renowned achievements of Charles Darwin the survey he carried out on wildlife on Galapagos Islands. On this island he discovered living organisms that were in a unique way adapted to the environment in a manner that was very much not usual. These were the creatures that enabled him meld his varied ideas together as made the presentation of his fresh theory of natural selection (Mork, 2010).
He took his time figuring out the way these creatures got on the island and emerged with the idea that possibly water bodies as well as land masses were different on a significant level in the cause of the thousands of years that had passed and that these creatures were metamorphosed descendants of the creatures that were there earlier on.
Charles Darwin played a major role in bringing about change in the scientific climate in regard to ideas about the origins of man, natural selection, evolution, as well as survival for the fittest and transmutation. He also played a major role in driving the discussion about tectonic plates movement and a planet that changes gradually. More so, the works carried out by Darwin on the way species adapt to survive in the changing environment are taken as being revolutionary. Such ideas were in opposition with the conventional theory that brought in the idea that each and every thing on earth including the earth itself was perfectly set up or created in a form that required no any medications or change.
People Charles Darwin influenced
Charles Darwin had influence of several people through the work he carried out. Among this people is Louis Agassiz who a Swiss born geologist and zoologist. They started correspondence in the cause of the mid-1940s and later turned out top be friends. When the idea came to Darwin on commencing on a comprehensive study in 1946 of barnacles, Agassiz informed Darwin that that a research like that was in high demand and he should use all the means to go ahead. Agassiz went ahead and supplied Darwin with different varieties of barnacles to study. At the time the book “origin of Species” was published, Darwin sent a copy to Agassiz. However, Agassiz was not pleased with this theory of evolution that Darwin had come up with but still held to the idea that every species was an independent creation that was divine made by god. This would have among the initial resistance of the theory. This theory set up by Charles Darwin was so groundbreaking it was not accepted by many people including the Church (Kofal, 1996).
Another person is Forbes who was a deep sea dredging pioneer, botanist, and biogeographer. In the process of the Darwin thinking about how species spread on the land masses, especially while on the Galapagos Islands, he came to consider the idea that Forbes Edward was not correct about his theory of sunken continent and went ahead to demonstrate that living organisms could move to lands that are distant (Anonymous, People who influenced Charles Darwin, 2010).
Conclusion
In summary, Charles Darwin was a great scientist who came up with discoveries that changed the scientific climate in regard to ideas about the origins of man, natural selection, evolution, as well as survival for the fittest and transmutation. He also played a major role in driving the discussion about tectonic plates movement and a planet that changes gradually. Through these discoveries, other scientists have come up and build on his ideas and even more discoveries have been made and some more are being made thus bring in more developments in field of science.
Reference
Anonymous, (2010). People who influenced Charles Darwin. Web.
Anonymous, (N.d). Charles (Robert) Darwin (1809 – 1882). Web.
Kofal, R. E. (1996). Charles Darwin: Influences on the man, his science, and his theory. Web.
Mork, R. (2010). Charles Darwin and His Accomplishments. Web.
Wyhe, J. V. (2010). Charles Darwin: gentleman naturalist. Web.