Active Table of Contents / Includes Modern Illustrations and Photographs Relevant to Material. Charles Darwin (1809-1882) was a pioneer naturalist and geologist best known for his early contributions to the study and science of evolution. Throughout his work he demonstrated that all species have des...

Active Table of Contents / Includes Modern Illustrations and Photographs Relevant to Material. Charles Darwin (1809-1882) was a pioneer naturalist and geologist best known for his early contributions to the study and science of evolution. Throughout his work he demonstrated that all species have descended over time from common ancestors. More specifically, he established that the branching pattern of evolution is the result of natural selection, or the changing of inheritable traits in a population over time. Charles Darwin’s observations were brilliant and paved the way for an entire new field of science. Though somewhat of a controversial topic today in lieu of faith-based claims concerning the origin of man, On the Origin of Species is an educational work and sure to delight and enlighten regardless of creed.