Charles Darwin

Charles Robert Darwin, FRS FRGS FLS FZS (/ˈdɑːrwɪn/; 12 February 1809 – 19 April 1882) was an English naturalist and geologist, best known for his contributions to evolutionary theory. He established that all species of life have descended over time from common ancestors, and in a joint publication with Alfred Russel Wallace introduced his scientific theory that this branching pattern of evolution resulted from a process that he called natural selection, in which the struggle for existence has a similar effect to the artificial selection involved in selective breeding.

Darwin published his theory of evolution with compelling evidence in his 1859 book On the Origin of Species, overcoming scientific rejection of earlier concepts of transmutation of species. By the 1870s, the scientific community and much of the general public had accepted evolution as a fact. However, many favoured competing explanations and it was not until the emergence of the modern evolutionary synthesis from the 1930s to the 1950s that a broad consensus developed in which natural selection was the basic mechanism of evolution. In modified form, Darwin's scientific discovery is the unifying theory of the life sciences, explaining the diversity of life.

Charles Darwin (aviator)

Squadron Leader Charles John Wharton Darwin DSO RAF (12 December 1894 - 26 December 1941) was a First World War flying ace credited with five aerial victories.

Biographical notes

Darwin was the son of Col. Charles Waring Darwin CB DL JP (1855–1928) of Elston Hall and his wife Mary Dorothea (née Wharton), the only daughter of the Rt Hon. John Lloyd Wharton MP. Darwin was educated at Winchester School, and the RMC Sandhurst.

He served in France with the 2nd Battalion of the Coldstream Guards from 1914 to 1916. He then transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. His first assignment, to 27 Squadron, saw him flying a Martinsyde G.100. He then returned to England to instruct at the Central Flying School, Upavon, in 1917. When 87 Squadron was founded at Upavon in April 1918, Darwin led the effort. He accompanied the squadron into combat in France as a captain. When Major Joseph Callaghan was killed in action on 2 July 1918, Darwin succeeded to command. Flying Sopwith Dolphin no. C4158, Darwin destroyed four enemy planes and drove down a fifth one out of control between 31 May and 26 September 1918.

Charles Darwin (disambiguation)

Charles Darwin (1809–1882) was an English naturalist.

Charles Darwin may also refer to:

See also