About Darwin

1. Charles Darwin:Charles Darwin:
a Man aparta Man apart
Rohit SamsonRohit Samson
Parkland Magnet Middle SchoolParkland Magnet Middle School
Grade 6Grade 6

2. ChilDhooDChilDhooD
On February 12, 1809 Charles Robert
Darwin was born in Shrewsbury,
Shropshire, England as a son of a
well-to-do physician. He was named
Charles after his uncle and Robert
after his father. He had four siblings,
Erasmus being his older brother. In the
spring of 1817, Charles went to a
grammar school run by a Mr. Case. He
was said to be shy yet mischievous.
Darwin’s mother died on July 15, 1817,
when he was only 8. In September
1818, Darwin attended Shrewsbury
Grammar School, along with Erasmus,
run by the Rev. Samuel Butler. The
focus of their study was Greek and
Roman grammar and reading. He did
not do well in school, and on June 17,
1825 Darwin was removed because of
bad grades. Because of this he spent
the summer working in his dad’s
medical practice.

3. anan UnproMisingUnproMising
YoUthYoUth
 Darwin was sent by his father to study medicine atDarwin was sent by his father to study medicine at
Edinburgh University in Scotland. He was horrified,Edinburgh University in Scotland. He was horrified,
however, by the sight of surgery without anesthesia, andhowever, by the sight of surgery without anesthesia, and
discontinued his studies after only two years.discontinued his studies after only two years.
 Darwin was accepted into Christ’s College at CambridgeDarwin was accepted into Christ’s College at Cambridge
in Oct. 1827, but he lacked true interest in theology.in Oct. 1827, but he lacked true interest in theology.
Instead, he collected beetles and studied them.Instead, he collected beetles and studied them.
 His first work in science began with a geologic field tripHis first work in science began with a geologic field trip
led by English geologist Adam Sedgwick.led by English geologist Adam Sedgwick.
 Scottish zoologist Robert Grant introduced Darwin to theScottish zoologist Robert Grant introduced Darwin to the
evolutionary ideas of the French naturalist Jean-Baptisteevolutionary ideas of the French naturalist Jean-Baptiste
Lamarck, who first thought of evolution of life fromLamarck, who first thought of evolution of life from
simple forms.simple forms.

4. the Beaglethe Beagle
VoYageVoYage
• in DeCeMBer ofin DeCeMBer of
1831 the h.M.s.1831 the h.M.s.
Beagle leftBeagle left
plYMoUthplYMoUth
harBor on a 5harBor on a 5
Year ‘VoYage ofYear ‘VoYage of
sCientifiCsCientifiC
exploration’.exploration’.
• Darwin joineD asDarwin joineD as
the ship’sthe ship’s
natUralist.natUralist.
• sea-siCkness anDsea-siCkness anD
infeCtions apartinfeCtions apart
he was aBle tohe was aBle to

5. GalapaGos GiantGalapaGos Giant
tortoisetortoise
photoGraph courtesy of Dr. phillip DvoskinphotoGraph courtesy of Dr. phillip Dvoskin

6. ““Darwin’s finches”Darwin’s finches”photograph courtesy of Dr. Phillip Dvoskin (Galapagos Islands 2004)photograph courtesy of Dr. Phillip Dvoskin (Galapagos Islands 2004)

7. naturalnatural
selectionselection While there were many unusual animals on the Galapagos Islands, Darwin mainlyWhile there were many unusual animals on the Galapagos Islands, Darwin mainly
noticed a group of birds, the famous “Darwin’s Finches” which were similar butnoticed a group of birds, the famous “Darwin’s Finches” which were similar but
divided into at least 14 species, none of which existed on the mainland.divided into at least 14 species, none of which existed on the mainland.
 Darwin believed that these birds came to the island seeking food and therefore had aDarwin believed that these birds came to the island seeking food and therefore had a
common ancestor, but their descendants differentiated based on adaptation tocommon ancestor, but their descendants differentiated based on adaptation to
different natural conditions like availability of food, predators, prey, and climatedifferent natural conditions like availability of food, predators, prey, and climate
“eventually evolving into separate species.”“eventually evolving into separate species.”
 He noticed that the 14 different species of finches each had “unique beaks tailored toHe noticed that the 14 different species of finches each had “unique beaks tailored to
it’s specific diets.” For example the Warbler Finch has a sharp, pointy beak to eatit’s specific diets.” For example the Warbler Finch has a sharp, pointy beak to eat
insects in trees, but the Large ground finch has a large, stout beak that allows it to eatinsects in trees, but the Large ground finch has a large, stout beak that allows it to eat
seeds and nuts which are too big for other species. (courtesy of Newsweek article,seeds and nuts which are too big for other species. (courtesy of Newsweek article,
Nov. 2005)Nov. 2005)
 He also could identify the island origin of giant tortoises based on the patterns onHe also could identify the island origin of giant tortoises based on the patterns on
their shells.their shells.
 He concluded that creatures adapted themselves to different ways of life based on theHe concluded that creatures adapted themselves to different ways of life based on the
environment and the fittest of them survived and procreated. He then realized thatenvironment and the fittest of them survived and procreated. He then realized that
such NATURAL SELECTION explained the process of EVOLUTION.such NATURAL SELECTION explained the process of EVOLUTION.

8. Darwin’s wife &Darwin’s wife &
chilDrenchilDren
 Darwin married his cousin Emma Wedgwood of the WedgwoodDarwin married his cousin Emma Wedgwood of the Wedgwood
Porcelain fame, a devout Catholic and they had 10 children:Porcelain fame, a devout Catholic and they had 10 children:
 William Erasmus Darwin- (1839- 1914) married without children.William Erasmus Darwin- (1839- 1914) married without children.
 Anne Elizabeth Darwin (Darwin’s favorite child)- (Mar. 2, 1847- Apr.Anne Elizabeth Darwin (Darwin’s favorite child)- (Mar. 2, 1847- Apr.
22, 1851) from tuberculosis.22, 1851) from tuberculosis.
 Mary Eleanor Darwin- (Sep. 23, 1842- Oct. 16, 1842)Mary Eleanor Darwin- (Sep. 23, 1842- Oct. 16, 1842)
 Henrietta Emma Darwin- (1843- 1929) no children.Henrietta Emma Darwin- (1843- 1929) no children.
 George Howard Darwin- (1845- 1912) Came to America, had fourGeorge Howard Darwin- (1845- 1912) Came to America, had four
children.children.
 Elizabeth Darwin- (1847- 1926) died single.Elizabeth Darwin- (1847- 1926) died single.
 Francis Darwin- (1848- 1925) He published some of Darwin’s lettersFrancis Darwin- (1848- 1925) He published some of Darwin’s letters
and his autobiography. He married twice and had two children.and his autobiography. He married twice and had two children.
 Leonard Darwin- (1850- 1943) Married with no childrenLeonard Darwin- (1850- 1943) Married with no children
 Horace Darwin (1851-1928) Had three children.Horace Darwin (1851-1928) Had three children.
 Charles Waring Darwin (Dec. 6, 1856- June 28, 1858)Charles Waring Darwin (Dec. 6, 1856- June 28, 1858)
 In the end, Darwin had one wife, 10 children, and nineIn the end, Darwin had one wife, 10 children, and nine
grandchildren. A number of his great-grandchildren still live today.grandchildren. A number of his great-grandchildren still live today.

9. The Theory ofThe Theory of
evoluTionevoluTion
• The evolution concept refers to the belief that existing animals and plants developed
by a process of slow, continuous change from previously existing forms.
•Organic evolution, as opposed to belief in the special creation of each individual
species as an unchangeable form, envisions life as having had its beginnings in a
simple mass (probably starting out in the sea) from which, over course of time, arose all
living forms.
•Inorganic evolution, on the other hand, is concerned with the development of the
physical universe from unorganized matter.

10. inTelligenT DesigninTelligenT Design

Intelligent design is based on the theory that blueprints of the world were createdIntelligent design is based on the theory that blueprints of the world were created
by an intelligent being.by an intelligent being.

This theory started out in the times of the ancient Greeks.This theory started out in the times of the ancient Greeks.

English Theologian William Paley in his bookEnglish Theologian William Paley in his book Natural Theology; or theNatural Theology; or the
Evidences of the Existence and Attributed of the Deity (Evidences of the Existence and Attributed of the Deity (1802) brought it to the1802) brought it to the
forefront.forefront.

Even though intelligent design is supposed to differ from creationism, it seems toEven though intelligent design is supposed to differ from creationism, it seems to
be linked to the biblical version of the universe’s creation in 6 days.be linked to the biblical version of the universe’s creation in 6 days.

Intelligent design does not reject the fact that the Earth is billions of years old,Intelligent design does not reject the fact that the Earth is billions of years old,
creationism does.creationism does.

While it does not reject some aspects of evolution, it rejects science’s theory thatWhile it does not reject some aspects of evolution, it rejects science’s theory that
the world changed through natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions.the world changed through natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions.

Believers of intelligent design have been fighting to keep intelligent design taughtBelievers of intelligent design have been fighting to keep intelligent design taught
in schools.in schools.

Their case was over-ruled by Judge John E. Jones III who claimed the theory asTheir case was over-ruled by Judge John E. Jones III who claimed the theory as
a version of creationism and banned it from being taught in public schools ina version of creationism and banned it from being taught in public schools in
Pennsylvania.Pennsylvania.

Later on January 19, 2006 the Vatican newspaper proclaimed that intelligentLater on January 19, 2006 the Vatican newspaper proclaimed that intelligent
design is not science and should not be taught in schools along with evolution. Itdesign is not science and should not be taught in schools along with evolution. It
also said that evolution doesn’t exactly remove God from the process of creation.also said that evolution doesn’t exactly remove God from the process of creation.

11. evoluTion vs.evoluTion vs.
inTelligenT DesigninTelligenT Design
The origin of The universe, of life, of The DifferenTThe origin of The universe, of life, of The DifferenT
organisms on earTh anD of mankinD is basicallyorganisms on earTh anD of mankinD is basically
explaineD in Two DifferenT ways: evoluTion anDexplaineD in Two DifferenT ways: evoluTion anD
creaTion.creaTion.
 Evolution is based on ‘survivalEvolution is based on ‘survival
of the fittest’ by ‘naturalof the fittest’ by ‘natural
selection’ and adaptation.selection’ and adaptation.
 Evolution has been studiedEvolution has been studied
and can be explained byand can be explained by
various naturalisticvarious naturalistic
experiments.experiments.
 Evolution is a theory thought ofEvolution is a theory thought of
gradually over a course of timegradually over a course of time
through various observations.through various observations.
 Intelligent design is based onIntelligent design is based on
the assumption that anthe assumption that an
intelligent designer created theintelligent designer created the
world to this state ofworld to this state of
perfection.perfection.
 Creationism is a theory thatCreationism is a theory that
has no fundamental scientifichas no fundamental scientific
basis.basis.
 Intelligent design is based onIntelligent design is based on
blind belief.blind belief.

12. The laTe years ofThe laTe years of
DarwinDarwin Charles Darwin remained ill most ofCharles Darwin remained ill most of
his life. He never traveled abroadhis life. He never traveled abroad
again. He may have suffered fromagain. He may have suffered from
Chagas disease. On September 7,Chagas disease. On September 7,
1881, Darwin finished his final will. On1881, Darwin finished his final will. On
Dec. 15, 1881, Darwin started feelingDec. 15, 1881, Darwin started feeling
strong chest pains. From Feb. to Apr.strong chest pains. From Feb. to Apr.
1882, Darwin had violent seizures and1882, Darwin had violent seizures and
heart troubles. A doctor was called onheart troubles. A doctor was called on
April 18, 1882 and left the next dayApril 18, 1882 and left the next day
saying Darwin was fine. Later that daysaying Darwin was fine. Later that day
he suffered from more violent attacks.he suffered from more violent attacks.
His family gathered around hisHis family gathered around his
bedside. Charles Robert Darwin diedbedside. Charles Robert Darwin died
about 4:00p.m April 19, 1882. On Aprilabout 4:00p.m April 19, 1882. On April
26 1882, Charles Robert Darwin was26 1882, Charles Robert Darwin was
buried at Westminster Abbey (evenburied at Westminster Abbey (even
without the family requesting it) next towithout the family requesting it) next to
his friend, Sir John Herschelhis friend, Sir John Herschel
(astronomer) about 20 feet from Sir(astronomer) about 20 feet from Sir
Isaac Newton. Ironically, this was theIsaac Newton. Ironically, this was the
only honor he received from the Britishonly honor he received from the British
government under Queen Victoria,government under Queen Victoria,
who were against Darwinism.who were against Darwinism.

13. Some BookS By
CharleS Darwin
• Darwin's Scientific Diaries 1836-1842.
• On the Origin of Species a Facsimile of the First Edition
• The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex.
• The Origin of Species
• The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals.
• The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection: Or,
the Preservation of Favored Races in the Struggle for
Life.
• The Autobiography of Charles Darwin 1809-1882.
• Charles Darwin and the Voyage of the 'Beagle'.
• Charles Darwin's Notebooks, 1836-1844: Geology,
Transmutation of Species, Metaphysical Enquiries.
• The Correspondence of Charles Darwin: 1821-1863 (vol-
1-11).
• Charles Darwin's Beagle Diary.

14. The enDThe enD
I wanted to acknowledge my family, whoI wanted to acknowledge my family, who
introduced me to Charles Robert Darwin. I grewintroduced me to Charles Robert Darwin. I grew
up admiring him. I chose him as a topic for myup admiring him. I chose him as a topic for my
project because I wanted the world to know himproject because I wanted the world to know him
as a Man Apart; a shy school misfit who thenas a Man Apart; a shy school misfit who then
pursued his keen observation and provided thepursued his keen observation and provided the
world scientific data never disproved for over 1world scientific data never disproved for over 1
½ centuries.½ centuries.
Thank you for your time.Thank you for your time.