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Charles Darwin

Natural history and evolution · United Kingdom · 1809–1882

Charles Darwin Life & Career Timeline

Voyage, observation and a mechanism for life’s branching history.

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18091820183118421853186418751882
CDCharles DarwinNatural history and evolution · United Kingdom
Born in Shrewsbury1809Born in Shrewsbury12 February 1809 · Shropshire, England
Enters Shrewsbury School1818Enters Shrewsbury School1818 · Shrewsbury, England
Begins medical study1825Begins medical studyOctober 1825 · Edinburgh, Scotland
Presents first scientific observations1827Presents first scientific observations1827 · Edinburgh, Scotland
Enters Christ’s College1828Enters Christ’s CollegeJanuary 1828 · Cambridge, England
Invited to join HMS Beagle1831Invited to join HMS BeagleAugust 1831 · Cambridge and Plymouth
Beagle departs1831Beagle departs27 December 1831 · Plymouth, England
Studies tropical nature1832Studies tropical natureFebruary 1832 · Salvador, Brazil
Fossils at Punta Alta1832Fossils at Punta AltaSeptember 1832 · Argentina
Observes uplift in South America1834Observes uplift in South America1834 · Chile and Andes
Galápagos observations1835Galápagos observationsSeptember–October 1835 · Galápagos Islands
Returns to England1836Returns to England2 October 1836 · Falmouth, England
Begins transmutation notebook1837Begins transmutation notebookJuly 1837 · London
Marries Emma Wedgwood1839Marries Emma Wedgwood29 January 1839 · Maer, England
Moves to Down House1842Moves to Down HouseSeptember 1842 · Kent, England
Joint natural-selection papers read1858Joint natural-selection papers read1 July 1858 · Linnean Society, London
On the Origin of Species published1859On the Origin of Species published24 November 1859 · London
Dies at Down House1882Dies at Down House19 April 1882 · Kent, England

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About this timeline

About Charles Darwin

Darwin combined field evidence, correspondence and long experiment to explain evolution by natural selection.

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Charles Darwin biography

Charles Darwin timeline: key events

Explore 18 documented Moments in chronological order. Read the dates, locations and source references below. Where available, additional context explains why a milestone matters.

Shrewsbury, England

Enters Shrewsbury School

Darwin studied classics while collecting natural objects and experimenting with chemistry.

Source: www.darwinproject.ac.uk

Edinburgh, Scotland

Begins medical study

He found surgery distressing but joined natural-history circles and learned marine research.

Source: www.darwinproject.ac.uk

Edinburgh, Scotland

Presents first scientific observations

At the Plinian Society, Darwin reported observations on marine invertebrates.

Source: www.darwinproject.ac.uk

Cambridge, England

Enters Christ’s College

Preparing for the clergy, he developed expertise in beetles, geology and natural theology.

Source: www.darwinproject.ac.uk

Cambridge and Plymouth

Invited to join HMS Beagle

John Stevens Henslow recommended Darwin as a gentleman naturalist and companion to Captain Robert FitzRoy.

Source: www.darwinproject.ac.uk

Salvador, Brazil

Studies tropical nature

Darwin encountered rainforest biodiversity while condemning the slavery he saw in Brazil.

Source: www.darwinproject.ac.uk

Chile and Andes

Observes uplift in South America

Earthquakes, raised coastlines and marine fossils high in the Andes supported gradual geological change.

Source: www.darwinproject.ac.uk

Galápagos Islands

Galápagos observations

Island variation among mockingbirds, tortoises and other organisms later became central evidence.

Source: www.darwinproject.ac.uk

Maer, England

Marries Emma Wedgwood

The cousins built a close family life that included sustained discussion of science and faith.

Source: www.darwinproject.ac.uk

Linnean Society, London

Joint natural-selection papers read

Darwin’s writings and Alfred Russel Wallace’s essay were presented together, establishing independent discovery.

Source: www.darwinproject.ac.uk

London

On the Origin of Species published

Darwin argued that natural selection acting on heritable variation could explain adaptation and common descent.

Source: www.darwinproject.ac.uk
Stephen Hawking timelineSingularities, black-hole radiation and cosmology brought to a worldwide audience.
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Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributor · Public-domain historical image

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About the Charles Darwin timeline

Who is Charles Darwin?

Darwin combined field evidence, correspondence and long experiment to explain evolution by natural selection.

How many moments are included?

This public timeline currently contains 18 sourced moments spanning 1809–1882.

Who maintains this timeline?

This public timeline is created and maintained by Memmie Editorial Team. Schools, clubs and cultural organisations can apply to become timeline partners.

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