My Favorite Scientist Contest : Charles Darwin

Hello everyone, I would like to submit my entry on your favorite scientist. My entry is on Charles Robert Darwin.

source

---

Everyone can agree with me that we sometimes struggle with a sense of morality and competition so for a scientist to lead by example is a good feeling.

Charles Darwin as a scientist is known for his contributions to the science of evolution. Without his theory on life, we would probably not know about our origin.

There was a time I was reading about his life and what caught my attention was when time he contemplated on whether to publish his theory before another scientist or not. i would elaborate on this.

Birth and early life:

Darwin was born on 12th February 1809 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire the fifth of six children of wealthy parents with a quiet Christian upbringing. However, his father and grandfather were open to new ideas.

Charles Darwin spent some time as an apprentice doctor helping his dad treat the people of his town. He then secured a spot in the University of Edinburgh to study medicine but did not earn a degree. He considered a career in church at age 18 because he realized a career in medics wasn't meant for him.

Although Darwin wasn't a firm believer of the faith, he went to Christ's College to become a clergyman. A major reason he considered was that he would have ample time to pursue biology which was his field of interest. He graduated in 1831 and was presented with a golden opportunity to sail the world.

Darwins's golden opportunity to sail the world on HMS Beagle:

Charles Robert Darwin spent five years visiting four continents collecting specimens and investigating the local geology of the land. The beginning of his illness started on this trip.

The HMS Beagle made a five week stop at the Galapalagos Islands where he started making useful observations after studying tortoises, finches, etc.

Darwin's first account of evolution:

Charles Darwin showed his specimens to fellow biologists and commenced writing up his travels. He struggled with the idea that evolution occurred by a process called Natural Selection.

He observed that animals more suited to their environments survived longer. His idea on Natural Selection contradicted to the believes of his people so he wanted to gather more proof before making a publication so that he could defend himself.

Charles Darwin was someone who struggled with his own ideas and the idea that man had a common ancestor with apes.

Moral Compass of Charles Darwin:

Darwin had written a lot on evolution but published none not until he got a letter from Alfred Russel Wallace. Wallace was an admirer of his who got inspired by the HMS Beagle Voyage and so decided to set sail.

He too arrived at a theory of natural selection and wanted his mentor's advice on what to publish. Still on sail, he wrote a letter to for advice.

Darwin realized at this time that if he didn't go public, Wallace would take credit for all the ideas. Since Wallace was on sail, it left Darwin with a big question on how to treat Wallace fairly.

Charles Darwin decides to go public:

Charles Robert Darwin finally went public with his theory of evolution by natural selection ensuring Alfred Russel Wallace got credit.

After consultation, Darwin agreed pieces from both works would be presented at a presentation meeting. Wallace on his return, accepted Charles treated him fairly and he would do the presentation with Charles.

On the day of the presentation, Charles couldn't make it due to his ill health.

Darwin's contribution on inheritance:

Darwin was married to his close cousin Emma from which they had 10 children. They lost 3 of them and nursed the rest through illness. Darwin was worried in breeding within his family caused this since he knew orchids were less healthy when they self fertilized. Darwin was about to challenge a culture of his people again but this time wasn't given the freedom to do so. But he wrote on close relatives reproducing.

The Descent Of Humans;

More than 10 years after his publication on origin of species, he found courage to publish ideas he once had. This theory was also contrary to one of the Christian beliefs but since he went public, people had accepted his views.

The death of Charles Darwin:

Charles Robert Darwin passed on in April 19, 1882 in his home surrounded by wife and close friends. He died from an illness.

Achievements of Charles Darwin:

He won the Coupley Medal in 1864, fellow of the royalty award in 1839, the royal medal in 1853, the wollaston medal in 1859, among others.

Charles Darwin has a statue created by Sir Joseph Boehm in the Natural History Museum, London.

source

---

Why Darwin is my favorite scientist;

I choose Charles Robert Darwin from the long list of scientists because not only do I admire his work in biology, I also admire the sense of morality he had during his lifetime. An example of this is when he gave credit to Wallace which has been explained above. Many would just publish their ideas after all it was their idea first. But for giving Wallace credit just makes me like him more than the others.

Reference: (https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/charles-darwin-evolution-and-the-story-of-our-species/z7rvxyc)

Reference: (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Darwin)

Thank you for reading my entry.