Charles Darwin

A carte-de-visite portrait of the English scientist Charles Darwin (1809-1882), who developed the modern theory of evolution and proposed the principle of natural selection.

After much research in South America and the Galapagos Islands as the naturalist on HMS Beagle (1831-1836), Darwin published On the Origin of Species by Natural Selection or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life (1859). This work explained the principles of natural and sexual selection, refuting earlier theories. It aroused bitter controversy because it disagreed with the literal interpretation of the Book of Genesis in the Bible.

Photographed by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company.