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Charles Darwin:
Theory of Evolution
By Laura Davis
2005
What is Evolution?
• The term evolution
refers to process of
change
• Charles believed
that species would
evolve and develop
certain habits
Childhood
• Born in 1809 in
Shrewsbury,
Shropshire,
England.
• Went to boarding
school when he
was a boy
Travels
• Went to
South
America and
Galapagos
Islands to
study plants
and animals
Travels cont.
• wanted to
prove that
plants and
animals
could float
their way to
distant lands.
Experiments
• Experimented with plant
seeds
• soaked them in sea
water for months, then
planted them. To other
naturalists surprise they
germinated when
planted.
Experiments Cont.
• Examined other
island’s shores
• found some seed pods
had floated thousands
of miles, proved his
theory true
Famous Debate at
Oxford
• Debate about
evolution
took place
June 30,
1860.
•Debate was
between Thomas
Huxley, Bishop
Wilberforce, and
Joseph Hooker.
Books
• 1871, Descent of Man is
published
• 1874, second edition of
Descent of Man is
published
• 1876, published
autobiography
Research
• Came up with four theories
• 1)evolution did occur
• 2)evolutionary change is gradual,
occurs over billions of years.
• 3)primary mechanism for
evolution is called natural
selection
• 4)there is a branching process
called specilization
Downe House
• This is where
he lived
while he was
not abroad.
Last Years
• Feb. to April
1882,
experienced
chest pains
• April 19,
1882, Charles
Darwin died
at 4:00 PM
Did He Renounce
Evolution On His
Death Bed?
•Lady Elizabeth Hope claimed to
have heard him renounce
evolution.
•Daughter Henrietta objected,
saying that she was there also, and
he would never renounce evolution
Bibliography
“Evolution” UXL Encyclopedia of
Science. 2nd Edition/2002
Official Charles Darwin Website.
May 2, 2005
<www.aboutdarwin.com>
Google. May 2, 2005
<www.google.com>
About Me
• My name is Laura
Davis. I love
playing soccer,
going to the pool,
traveling, and
hanging out with
my friends.