Charles Darwin   1809—1882   English naturalist   Laid foundation for modern theory of evolution and principle of common descent   He proposed natural selection as the mechanism for evolution   His best-known book The Origin of Species published in 1859   Took a 5-year sea voyage around the world aboard HMS Beagle   Made many observations especially in Galapagos Islands that provided data and inspiration for his theories   Began studying medicine switched to natural history and geology   Collected thousands of specimens of living organisms and fossils   Examination of fossils showed similarities between fossils and living species in the same region   His theory was controversial especially with church leaders   Because of ill health Darwin couldn’t participate in debates about his theory Thomas Huxley was main defender

MEMORY TRIGGERS   English_________________________________   _______________________________________   naturalist________________________________   _______________________________________   evolution________________________________   _______________________________________   common descent__________________________   _______________________________________   natural selection__________________________   _______________________________________   The Origin of Species_____________________   _______________________________________   HMS Beagle_____________________________   _______________________________________   Galapagos_______________________________   _______________________________________   fossils__________________________________   _______________________________________   controversial_____________________________   _______________________________________   church__________________________________   _______________________________________   Huxley_________________________________   _______________________________________