The Origin of Species (Hardbound - 2023)

A classic that took the world by storm, raising havoc among scientists and religious people as its exposition apparently contradicted the account of the creation of the world of Genesis in the Bible, Charles Darwin’s The Origin of Species remains the most readable and accessible of the great revolutionary works of scientific imagination. Sold out on the very first day of its publication in 1859 and often considered a watershed in the history of scientific, philosophical and theological ideas, the book describes the most fundamental truth of the natural world that there exists a “natural selection” of favourable variations and a fierce “struggle for existence” in all living beings, thereby ensuring the survival of the fittest.

The classic that unfolds the mystery of mysteries, as Darwin calls it, in an intimate, informal and enjoyable style, continues to transform our views of the world and remains relevant in any study of the history of ideas.

Charles Darwin (12 February 1809 – 19 April 1882) was an English naturalist, geologist and biologist. He is best known for his contributions to the science of evolution, in which he established that all species of life have descended over time from common ancestors. In a joint publication with Alfred Russell Wallace, Darwin introduced his scientific theory that the branching pattern of evolution is the result of a process which he termed “natural selection”.

In 1859, he published his theory of evolution in his book, On the Origin of Species. By the 1870s, scientists as well as general public had accepted evolution as a fact, but a broad consensus was developed on it after 1930.

Darwin’s early interest in nature led him to neglect his medical education at the University of Edinburgh, and he started to investigate marine invertebrates. His studies at the University of Cambridge encouraged his passion for natural science. His five-year voyage on HMS Beagle established him as an eminent geologist. Even without the publication of his works on evolution, he would have had a considerable reputation as the author of The Voyage of the Beagle, as a geologist and a biologist. On the Origin of Species dominates the perceptions of his work, but his other books were also works of great importance.

Darwin was a workaholic. The strain of work caused many health problems to him, like stomach pains, severe boils, palpitations, etc. Notwithstanding the repeated bouts of illness during the last twenty-two years of his life, Darwin’s work continued. He pressed on with experiments, research, and writing.

In June 1909, over 400 officials and scientists from across the world met in Cambridge to commemorate his centenary. During Darwin’s lifetime, many geographical features were given his name. He has been described as one of the most influential figures in human history.