Charles Darwin's 'On The Origins of the Species'
A woman and a man working out at the gym
It’s one thing to be fit; it’s another to survive. Just ask Charles Darwin. He’s the guy who, 165 years ago on
Nov. 24, published “On the Origin of the Species,” in which he laid out his theory of biological evolution, or what we have come to know as survival of the fittest.
The theory suggests that organisms that best adjust to their environment are the most successful in surviving and reproducing.
The term was not actually coined by Darwin but by English sociologist and philosopher Herbert Spencer, who first used it in his 1864 book “Principles of Biology.” Spencer came up with it after reading Darwin’s work.
Darwin spent five years as an unpaid naturalist aboard a ship traveling from continent to continent where he collected and studied animals and plants. He then devoted the next two years on dry land developing his theory.
He did not publish his book until more than 20 years later, fearing backlash from the religious and even scientific community who had a history of challenging long-held beliefs and theories. Darwin was right — his theory created great consternation.
However, by the time of his death in 1882, he was considered the greatest scientist of his era. Not bad for someone who, as a young man, was labeled by his wealthy British father as directionless.