If I had my life to live over again, I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once every week.
— The Autobiography of Charles Darwin, 1809–82
Charles Darwin was an English naturalist, geologist and biologist, widely known for his contributions to evolutionary biology. His proposal that all species have descended from a common ancestor is now considered a fundamental scientific concept. In a joint presentation with Alfred Russel Wallace, he proposed that this branching pattern resulted from a process he called natural selection.
After studying at Christ's College, Cambridge, he spent five years on the voyage of HMS Beagle from 1831 to 1836, which established him as an eminent geologist. His travel journal, The Voyage of the Beagle, made him a popular author, and in 1838 he devised his theory of natural selection. He was honoured by burial in Westminster Abbey. The Origin of Species and The Descent of Man are his most quoted works in our library.
After studying at Christ's College, Cambridge, he spent five years on the voyage of HMS Beagle from 1831 to 1836, which established him as an eminent geologist. His travel journal, The Voyage of the Beagle, made him a popular author, and in 1838 he devised his theory of natural selection. He was honoured by burial in Westminster Abbey. The Origin of Species and The Descent of Man are his most quoted works in our library.
Most quoted works
- The Origin of Species 16
- The Descent of Man 8
- Voyage of the Beagle 6
- The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals 3
- Notebooks 2
- The Autobiography of Charles Darwin, 1809–82 2
A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.
— The Life & Letters of Charles Darwin
We are not here concerned with hopes or fears, only with truth as far as our reason permits us to discover it.
— The Descent of Man
Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge: it is those who know little, not those who know much, who so positively assert that this or that problem will never be solved by science.
— The Descent of Man
— The Origin of Species
We can allow satellites, planets, suns, universe, nay whole systems of universe, to be governed by laws, but the smallest insect, we wish to be created at once by special act.
— Notebooks
Nothing is easier than to admit in words the truth of the universal struggle for life, or more difficult--at least I have found it so--than constantly to bear this conclusion in mind.
— The Origin of Species
If it could be demonstrated that any complex organ existed, which could not possibly have been formed by numerous, successive, slight modifications, my theory would absolutely break down. But I can find no such case.
— The Origin of Species
A grain in the balance will determine which individual shall live and which shall die - which variety or species shall increase in number, and which shall decrease, or finally become extinct.
— The Origin of Species
Blushing is the most peculiar and most human of all expressions.
— The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals
None can reply - all seems eternal now. The wilderness has a mysterious tongue, which teaches awful doubt.
— Voyage of the Beagle
It is necessary to look forward to a harvest, however distant that may be, when some fruit will be reaped, some good effected.
— Voyage of the Beagle