Charles Darwin was an English naturalist and explorer, creator of the theory of evolution. Life story

Charles Darwin is a famous English scientist and traveler.

Born February 12, 1809 in the family of a physician. From childhood, the future naturalist was fascinated by the study surrounding nature, insects and animals, at school his knowledge was marked by very mediocre grades, since he was not interested in languages, philosophy and rhetoric. He received a medical education at the university, but quickly realized that he did not want to become a doctor. Also, Darwin was awarded the priesthood, again at the urging of his father.

Between 1831 and 1836, Charles traveled around the world. During this period he expanded his knowledge of biology and amassed a large collection of minerals. Also, he managed to find a fossilized specimen of an extinct species of mammals, which, later, became one of the most valuable in his collection. He recorded many of his observations in detail in the form of notes in his own diary. Later, he published a book based on these recordings. It has received wide recognition and dissemination among scientists and has been translated into many languages.

Darwin's most significant contribution to world science is his theory of the origin of species. This work was a guide for subsequent studies by scientists of the evolution of living organisms. And Darwin's statement that man is descended from apes is still the subject of debate, in which some scientists agree with him, and some refute this assumption. Also, the naturalist observed various plants(described in his diary a variety of species and their characteristics), insects and animals, developed a theory of natural selection among intelligent living organisms. Interestingly, at about the same time as Darwin, another scientist by the name of Wallace came to identical conclusions in his studies.

In 1839 Darwin married his cousin Emma. This marriage produced ten children (three of whom died in infancy due to illness). Many descendants of Charles followed his example and also became well-known researchers in various fields of science and made a huge number of important discoveries.

The scientist died on April 19, 1882. Both during his lifetime and after his death, he received many prestigious awards for his invaluable contribution to science, and his works are required for study in many colleges and universities.

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Darwin Charles Robert (1809-1882), English naturalist, creator of the theory of the origin of species through natural selection.

Born February 12, 1809 in Shrewsbury. The son of a doctor, Charles showed an interest in wildlife from early childhood, to which his grandfather, Erasmus Darwin, a famous naturalist, contributed a lot. At the request of his father, Charles entered the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Edinburgh.

Soon, seeing the son's indifference to medical sciences, his father suggested that he choose the profession of a priest, and in 1828 Darwin began to study theology at Cambridge. Here he met a brilliant specialist in the field of natural sciences J. S. Henslow and an expert in the geology of Wales A. Sedgwick. Communication with them, excursions and work in the field prompted Charles to abandon his career as a clergyman.

On the recommendation of Henslow, he took part as a naturalist in a round-the-world voyage on the Beagle. During this expedition, which lasted from December 1831 to October 1836, Darwin crossed three oceans, visited Tenerife, the Cape Verde Islands, Brazil, Argentina, Patagonia, Chile, Galapagos, Tahiti, New Zealand, Tasmania and other countries. His duties included collecting collections and describing the plants and animals of the British colonies in South America.

In Brazil and Uruguay, Darwin discovered 80 species of birds, and also found the jaw of a Megatherium, an extinct giant sloth, and a tooth of a fossil horse. These findings suggest that animal world Latin America was once completely different, made him think about the reasons for the change and development of nature. Linking the evolution of living organisms with changes in living conditions, he suggested that the emergence of new species is subject to certain laws.

Darwin's stay in the Galapagos served as the final impetus for the formalization of reflections into a scientific theory. This corner of the earth is practically isolated from the rest of the world, and using the example of local bird species, it was possible to trace the ways in which living forms change depending on the state of the environment.

Darwin returned home with a load of collections and diary entries. He began processing materials in London, then continued to work in Down, a small town near the capital.

The very first articles on geology and biology, based on the data obtained during the trip, put Darwin among the largest scientists in Great Britain (in particular, he put forward his version of the formation of coral reefs). But his main business was the creation of a new evolutionary theory.

In 1858 he decided to publish it in the press.

A year later, when Darwin was 50 years old, his fundamental work "The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favored Breeds in the Struggle for Life" was published and made a real sensation, and not only in scientific world.

In 1871, Darwin developed his teachings in The Descent of Man and Sexual Selection: he considered the arguments in favor of the fact that people are descended from an ape-like ancestor.

Darwin's views formed the basis of the materialistic theory of evolution organic world Earth and as a whole served to enrich and develop scientific ideas on the origin of biological species.

On the night of April 18, 1882, Darwin suffered a heart attack; he died a day later. Buried in Westminster Abbey.

1809. He was born into a wealthy family of a successful financier, so from childhood he did not know any refusal. In addition to him, the parents had five more children, and everyone had enough love and care. But the serene time ended after the unexpected death of the mother. The further upbringing of the boy was shifted to the shoulders of the older sister before going to school.

The years devoted to study were among the most difficult for Charles Darwin. He frankly missed the lessons, considering science unnecessary and superfluous in his life. All attempts by the father to reason with the heir did not bring results. The only thing that really interested the growing boy was biology and collecting rare insects, plants and shells. He sacredly guarded his treasures, not allowing anyone to access them.

Realizing the futility of trying to call his son to responsibility in his studies, his father decided to send him to the University of Edinburgh. The parent dreamed of seeing his son as a doctor, but was soon forced to say goodbye to this idea as well. Then there was an attempt to get Charles into the theological faculty, which also did not become a breakthrough. The young man himself constantly sought to spend most of his time fishing, hunting, or devoting it to the study of natural phenomena. Therefore, he considered everything else insanely boring.

Travel

Darwin's biography contains information that the turning point in his life was his acquaintance with biology professor John Henslow. Noticing the interests of the young man, the famous traveler invited him to go on an expedition. This happened in 1831, just when Charles received his diploma from the university. Now he felt independent, so he accepted Mr. Henslow's offer without hesitation.

The expedition to the countries of South America began in the same year. Has begun new stage biography of Darwin. On the ship "Beagle" a large team went to study the flora and fauna of distant countries. Charles was assigned the role of a naturalist on this journey, which he liked. He studied the nature of Chile, Argentina, Peru and Brazil with insane interest. For 5 years, the expedition was busy with work, which gave Darwin great pleasure.

During this time, his collection has grown. large quantity rare plants, fossils and stuffed animals. The young naturalist recorded all discoveries and experiences in his own diary, on the basis of which many scientific papers. After arriving home, the future scientist returned to the materials stored in the travel diary for 20 years.

Homecoming

Returning from the expedition, Charles Robert Darwin began to work on the evidence of his own theory about the change of species. At this moment, he himself - as a person of deep faith - was torn apart by internal contradictions. The scientist understood that he was undermining the usual way of life of society, calling into question the divine origin of man. But facts turned out to be stubborn things, so Darwin continued to work.

In 1836, the biologist joined the Geological Society of London. There he worked as a secretary for two years. In parallel, he worked on writing the book "The naturalist's journey around the world on the Beagle ship." It was created on the basis of the scientist's notes and discoveries and was published in 1842.

Fundamental works

Darwin's biography contains information that in 1842 the scientist began to work on one of the most important works in his life. For sixteen years, he hid sketches and existing developments from his colleagues, which formed into one picture only by 1858. As a result, the book "The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favored Breeds in the Struggle for Life" made a splash in the scientific community.

The following years became very fruitful for the founder of the evolutionary doctrine. As professional achievements of the author at this time, it is worth noting the works "Change of animals and plants in the domestic state", "The origin of man and sexual selection" and "The expression of emotions in man and animals."

Darwin drew all the material for his work from his own observations, the discoveries of other scientists and contemporary biology. He tried not to pay attention to numerous critics and skeptics, being confident in his own correctness and the veracity of the facts presented in the books.

Evolution in the view of Darwin

After returning from a trip around the world, Charles Darwin began to actively collect information about the course of evolution. He hid all his notes and materials from the public, preferring for the hundredth time to make sure that he was right. Starting to work on a book on the course of evolution, the scientist expected to put all the available material in 2-3 volumes. But over the years of work, the scientist has accumulated so much data and facts that they would hardly fit in this format. However, fate wanted the full book of Darwin to be published only in 1975, many years after the death of the author.

Important when working on the proof of the theory, Charles considered the influence of selection, heredity and variability on the course of an individual's life. It only remained to compare the connection between artificial, natural selection and some attempts to interfere in the course of their development of man.

The main provisions of Darwin's theory

While the world community was arguing about the work of Darwin, he tried not to spray himself on the evidence of his innocence. The researcher concentrated on proving the relationship and similarity of the human race with ancient primates. He was sure that at some point, external factors stopped the transformation of monkeys into Homo sapiens. But between them, an undeniable similarity has forever been preserved in the form of identical emotional expressions, physical development and even reproduction of offspring.

The main provisions of Darwin's theory:

1. All life on Earth has never been created by someone.
2. Everything that has arisen naturally transformed and adapted to the environment.
3. The principle of natural selection is adopted as the basis for the transformation of all living things.
4. The result of evolution is considered to be the adaptability of all living things to the conditions of the surrounding world.

Actively working on the publication of a work confirming the theory of Darwinism, the scientist practically did not leave his estate. He understood how difficult it is for people to accept new facts about the history of their own emergence and development. Indeed, for many years, Charles himself attended church, perceiving religious canons as dogma. But now everything began to seem alien and incomprehensible to him. The sensible man did not stop his material support of the local temple. Only he stopped attending services, without forcibly imposing his opinion on anyone. Therefore, he could easily escort his wife to the event, remaining to wait for her behind the fence.

plant world

All studies of Darwin, whose biography is presented to your attention in the article, in the field of the plant world were aimed at finding evidence that all transformations occur on the basis of ongoing evolution and natural selection. The scientist was able to prove that as a result of this, only strong, healthy and able to adapt to environmental conditions survive individuals. While the weaker and more painful die at an early stage of inception. At the same time, Charles Darwin never believed that something needed to be changed in the course of things, because non-viable organisms outlived themselves, enabling the stronger ones to lead a full life.

Last work

A year before his death, Darwin, whose biography is full of interesting events, completed work on his last book. In it, he tried to explain in detail the role of earthworms in the formation of a fertile soil layer. It did not become as bright and fundamental as the previous works of the author, but also did not go unnoticed.

World recognition

If the first reaction of the scientific world to all of Darwin's work was a sharp denial, then scientists soon had to admit that their colleague was right. All discoveries were not devoid of common sense and rational grain, and Charles's ability to conduct a leisurely dialogue with an opponent commanded respect. He never tried to shout down the interlocutor, trying to prove his case. Only prudence, the desire to spend one's own time on changing the point of view of others, and faith in one's own discoveries helped the researcher to gain authority.

Over time, critics began to fall silent before the growing authority of the great mind. His books began to be published in large numbers with translations into different languages. So, one of the works of the scientist was sold out within two years, although it was sold in Holland, Russia, Poland, Serbia and Italy.

The only country that for a long time resisted Darwin's evidence of the origin of mankind was France. The first editions of the scientist in this country appeared after 1870, when the entire scientific world recognized the correctness of the researcher.

Personal history

Darwin always treated the issue of creating a family seriously and responsibly. For a long time he was focused only on his discoveries, not in a hurry to take responsibility for his wife. And when the time came to acquire offspring, the traveler approached this issue rationally. He conducted a kind of study in order to find out what is more in the family - pluses or minuses.
The scientist married once and for life to his cousin Emma. At the time of the engagement, the girl was 30 years old, she had already rejected proposals for marriage several times and concentrated on music lessons. She took lessons in Paris from Frederic Chopin, upsetting her parents with the prospect of an early marriage. Therefore, relations with Charles were accepted positively by all the numerous relatives. The young lady was waiting for the groom from the expedition, conducting active correspondence with him.

After the wedding, the newlyweds settled in London, where they lived until 1942. Later they moved to the estate of Down in Kent, where they spent their whole lives. During the years of marriage, ten children were born in the family, three of whom died in infancy. The scientist was able to explain this tragedy, already working on his theories. Charles blamed everything on the blood relationship that existed between him and his wife.

The surviving children of Darwin were able to achieve a high position in society. Three sons became members of the English Royal Court. After the death of their father, they supported their mother and helped her in everything. Thanks to them, Emma's lonely years were diluted with family warmth and care.

End of the story

In his native estate next to his beloved wife, the British scientist Darwin lived for forty years. He always tried to be restrained in emotions and feelings, was careful about financial matters and liked to work in silence. The best gift at the end of the working day for the scientist was a walk along the streets of the town in the company faithful dog Polly, in whom he doted. The family rarely went to the city, preferring to lead a reclusive and calm lifestyle.

The researcher passed away in 1882 at the age of 73. Emma survived her husband by 14 years, spending them in peace and quiet. She bought a house for herself in Cambridge, where she went every winter. With the advent of spring, the lady returned to the family estate, next to which were the houses of all the Darwin children. After her death, she was buried in the family crypt, finding eternal peace next to the man she loved all her life.

Hero Rewards

After world recognition, Charles Darwin often had to appear at public events and awards, which maddened him. The scientist became the owner of the Kopleev gold medal and the Prussian order Pour le merite. Most of the world's universities considered it an honor to cooperate with a well-known researcher. Therefore, Charles was an honorary correspondent of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences and a doctor at Bonn, Leiden and Breslau universities.

But the scientist accepted all kinds of awards and signs of attention without much enthusiasm. The only reason for his consent to participate in pompous events was the persistent offers of the organizers and the opportunity to receive money. Because a wealthy researcher until the end of his days supported science with all possible ways. He transferred most of the income to special organizations leading advanced developments.

Darwin Award

After the death of a scientist, such a thing as the Darwin Prize arose. And to this day, it is virtually awarded to all persons who, through their stupid actions, contributed to their own death. Also, her nominees include people who have deprived themselves of the opportunity to have healthy and beautiful offspring. It is a kind of sarcasm over people who are systematically destroying a healthy gene pool. In most cases, it is awarded posthumously, although there are exceptions.

The Russian Orthodox Church has always denied Darwin's teachings, considering him an apostate and a heretic. Special lessons were held in schools, calling not to take into account all the achievements of the scientist. Only thanks to the protection of the modern enlightened people of Russia, the attitude towards the scientist in the country has changed.

Later, Charles Darwin became the protagonist of Victor Pelevin's book "The Origin of Species". And in 2009, a film was released that tells about the biography of the discoverer. Shortly thereafter, the scientist was recognized as the most prominent person in Britain of all time. It seemed that no one remembers the time of doubt and disgrace, which accompanied the whole life of the traveler.

To complete the picture, it is worth noting that he himself doubted the correctness of his teachings until the end of his days. Darwin called them only hypotheses, requiring more detailed study and subsequent proof. He could not negate these doubts even after many years of scrupulous and responsible work.

Biography and episodes of life Charles Darwin. When born and died Charles Darwin, memorable places and dates of important events in his life. scientist quotes, Photo and video.

The life of Charles Darwin:

born February 12, 1809, died April 19, 1882

Epitaph

All life has passed in countless labors,
Glorified forever his name.

Biography

The biography of Charles Darwin is a biography of a scientist who made a real breakthrough in science. Darwin was the first to not only realize, but also be able to clearly demonstrate the theory of evolution. Following the instructions of his father, he was to become at best a good doctor, but, fortunately for posterity, natural curiosity, remarkable intelligence, the desire for discoveries contributed to the formation of Darwin as a great scientific figure.

He was the youngest child in a family of five children. His father, Robert Waring Darwin, was a physician, and his grandfather, Erasmus Darwin, was a physician and naturalist. After school, Charles entered the Faculty of Medicine, but two years later he left his studies in it - surgery, in his opinion, caused suffering, and the young man himself was afraid of the sight of blood. Even then, he became interested in natural science, but his father, disappointed in his son, insisted that he enter Christ's College, Cambridge, where Darwin studied theology. He graduated from the theological faculty with success, and then one of the most important events of his life took place in Darwin's biography - a round-the-world trip as a naturalist. During this journey, Darwin made a large number of observations and discoveries in geology, anthropology, zoology, botany and other sciences. After such extensive work, Darwin was accepted into the Geological Society of London and soon published his first major scientific work in the form of travel notes.

After Darwin married, he and his wife moved to Down, where he led a quiet, secluded and, in his own words, happy life, thanks to which he could devote a lot of time to science. After several years of long and painstaking work, Darwin's most important work, The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, saw the light of day. On the very first day, his monograph was almost completely sold out and had resounding success. In his theory, Darwin proved that species of animals and plants undergo changes, and those that exist today have evolved from others that existed before, by natural selection. After a while, he published the work “Change in Domestic Animals and cultivated plants”, and three years later -“ The Origin of Man and Sexual Selection ”, in which he cited evidence in favor of the fact that man could have descended from animals.

life line

February 12, 1809 Birth date of Charles Robert Darwin.
1825 Admission to the University of Edinburgh.
1828 Admission to the University of Cambridge at the Faculty of Theology.
1831-1836 Journey as a naturalist on the ship "Beagle".
1838 Secretary of the Geological Society of London.
January 29, 1839 Marriage to Emma Wedgwood.
1839 Publication of the book "Diary of researches of the naturalist".
1840 Publication of the book "The Zology of Traveling on the Beagle".
March 2, 1841 Birth of Darwin's daughter, Annie Elizabeth.
September 25, 1843 Birth of Darwin's daughter, Henrietta Emma.
July 9, 1845 Birth of Darwin's son, George Howard.
August 16, 1848 Birth of Darwin's son, Francis.
January 15, 1850. Birth of Darwin's son, Leonard.
April 23, 1851 Death of Darwin's daughter, Annie.
May 13, 1851 Birth of Darwin's son, Horace.
1859 Publication of Darwin's On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
1871 Publication of Darwin's book The Descent of Man and Sexual Selection.
April 19, 1882 Date of Darwin's death.
April 26, 1882 Funeral of Darwin.

Memorable places

1. Edinburgh University, where Darwin studied medicine.
2. Christ's College (Cambridge), where Darwin studied theology. St Andrew's Street, Cambridge.
3. Darwin's house in London.
4. Darwin's house in Down, where he lived in 1842-1882. and where the Darwin Museum is open today.
5. Monument-bust to Darwin in St. Petersburg.
6. Natural History Museum in London, which has a monument to Darwin.
7. State Darwin Museum in Moscow.
8. Westminster Abbey, where Darwin is buried.

Episodes of life

Charles Darwin showed an interest in nature as a child. He enthusiastically collected shells, insects, plants, loved to fish. His parents believed that the child was idle, and even the father was very upset, once telling his son in his hearts that he would be a shame for himself and for the family - because he had no other interests than playing with dogs and catching rats. Darwin later recalled his father's words: "My father, though the kindest man I ever knew, was probably very irritated and not quite fair when he said these words."

A great tragedy for Darwin was the loss of his eldest daughter, Annie, who died as a child. Although Darwin assumed that the poor health of his children was due to the fact that he married his cousin, the death of Annie and his other two children, who died in infancy, greatly influenced his religious views and only strengthened his scientific views.

When the University of Cambridge elected Darwin an honorary doctor of laws in 1877, he addressed the scientist with the following words: “You, who have so wisely explained the laws of nature to us, be our doctor of laws!”

Covenant

"The most strong trait The difference between man and animals is the moral sense, or conscience. And his dominance is expressed in a short, but powerful and extremely expressive word "should".

A story about Darwin's life from the Encyclopedia project

condolences

“Living organisms existed on Earth, not knowing why, for more than three thousand million years before the truth finally dawned on one of them. It was Charles Darwin. In fairness, it should be said that grains of truth were revealed to others, but only Darwin for the first time coherently and logically stated why we exist.
Richard Dawkins, biologist, popularizer of science

“Modern biology is an evolutionary doctrine applied to the organic world, just as geology, after Lyell, is an evolutionary doctrine applied to the inorganic world, more precisely, to history. earth's crust... We owe this to Darwin, and this is his greatest merit.
Mikhail Engelhardt, writer, literary critic

Charles Robert Darwin (1809-1882) - English naturalist, creator of Darwinism, foreign corresponding member of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences (1867). In his 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 in the evolution of the organic world. In the work "Change of Domestic Animals and Cultivated Plants" (vols. 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 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 was 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 famous doctor, naturalist, 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 was raised by his older 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 a round-the-world trip. From the trip, he returned 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 in the earth's crust, with cracks formed during the uplift 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. For geological periods of enormous duration, the mainland of South America 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 ring 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 impact on the course of the 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 botanical and physiological studies of Darwin were aimed at finding evidence natural origin 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 value than book learning, had 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 on Coast 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 over 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 recent times 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 Beagle ship”, 2 vols., translated under the editorship of Andrey Beketov) - a book remarkable for its 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 derive general laws or conclusions from them.

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 so far it was only an unconscious striving of a broad and inquisitive mind, involuntarily rushing to the most difficult and puzzling 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 in particular the persistence with which he conducted his research for decades (for example, one of his experiments on earthworms lasted 29 years) repaired 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 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 bizarre and various forms flowers in orchids represent the most amazing adaptations 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 the whole world phenomena that had not yet been understood. 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, accumulating beneficial changes. Further, the field of botany includes " carnivorous 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 century. 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 set out general issues 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 the help of which he thought to explain heredity.

My main pleasure and only occupation throughout my life was scientific work, and the excitation it causes 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 the 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 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 Friedrich Wilhelm IV to reward scientists and literary merits, an honorary doctorate from the 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 a 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, convinced that Charles's schoolwork 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 successes 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, researchers visited Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Galapagos Islands- ten rocky islets 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 were his observations transitional forms, which were just the subject of annoyance and neglect on the part of taxonomists who are looking for "good", that is, clearly certain types. 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.

AT 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 last years 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 whole story 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 general form, like Wallace, she certainly would not have produced a hundredth part of her 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 contamination of the earth with chemical fertilizers, this problem has again become relevant.

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.