Charles Darwin Gallery

Darwins study at Down House, his home near Beckenham, Kent, 1883

Darwin's study at Down House, his home near Beckenham, Kent, 1883. Darwin (1809-1882) was employed as naturalist on HMS Beagle from 1831-1836. He first made his name as a geologist, but is remembered for his momentous contributions to biology - primarily his demonstration that evolution has occurred and his discovery of the principle of natural selection of heritable variation as the cause of evolution. His famous book Origin of Species was published in 1859. (Colorised black and white print)

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HMS Beagle laid ashore, Rio Santa Cruz, Patagonia, South America, 1834 (1839)

HMS Beagle laid ashore, Rio Santa Cruz, Patagonia, South America, 1834 (1839). The Beagle, commanded by Robert Fitzroy, set sail on a 5-year voyage around the world in December 1831, with the naturalist Charles Darwin (1809-1882) aboard. It was during this voyage that Darwin made observations that helped form his theory of evolution. From Narrative of the Surveying Voyages of His Majesty's Ships Adventure and Beagle by Robert Fitzroy. (London, 1839). (Colorised black and white print)

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Charles Darwin, British naturalist, 1878

Charles Darwin, British naturalist, 1878. Darwin started his career on board the HMS Beagle and spent six years surveying the South American seas. He is remembered for his momentous contributions to biology and as the originator of the theory of evolution. His most famous work, The Origin of the Species by Means of Natural Selection, was published in 1859. From Men of Mark: a gallery of contemporary portraits of men distinguished in the Senate, the Church, in science, literature and art, the army, navy, law, medicine, etc. Photographed from life by Lock and Whitfield, with brief biographical notices by Thompson Cooper. (Conducted by GC Whitfield.) (London, 1876-1883). (Colorised black and white print)

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