Happy Birthday Chuck

There have been few figures in science that have single handily created new fields of study or forged great leaps in an area of scientific discovery. Most of us can recite a short list of famous scientists, along with describing their findings and explaining the importance of their discovery. However, most lived a long while ago and their work is now seen in a historical context. Their discoveries are not commonly cited or mentioned as part of modern thought, but rather how they influenced change in scientific thinking. Much of the fundamental information established by these greats is firmly entrenched in textbooks, for example the basics of math or the laws of motion, but mostly the initial concepts are no longer, by-themselves, associated with their discoverer although they continue to stir scientific thought. It is hard, if not impossible to say who the greatest figure in science was; although a number of these come to mind: Aristotle, Newton, Galileo, Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, and so forth. However, there is at least one individual whose work is still presented, in a modern light, and which is still firmly linked to its discoverer. Even the book that announced his discovery is a now a ‘‘textbook’’, still used in teaching. That man is Charles Robert Darwin. Darwin or maybe more appropriately stated in the modern light – Chuck – was born on February 12, 1809 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England and died April 18, 1882. He is renowned for his theories on evolution, most notably through his book ‘‘On The Origin Of Species’’. This book is still in print and is commonly used as a ‘‘textbook’’ for the study of evolution. Certainly, current use in biology classes of a textbook published in 1859 is spectacular, if not unique. Many do not realize that the modern concept of evolution and natural selection was originally jointly presented by Chuck and his friend Alfred Russell Wallace to the Linnaean Society on July 1, 1858. This presentation was titled ‘‘On Tendency of Species to form Varieties; and on the Perpetuation of Varieties and Species by Natural Means of Selection’’. In many ways this set the stage for his subsequent book; although, there was little fanfare concerning the initial publication of the paper read and its presentation at the Linnaean Society. However, when his book went on sale on November 22, 1859 the printed stock was sold-out almost immediately. In many ways, the book and ideas presented by Chuck and Wallace revolutionized the field of biology and in some ways other fields, like chemistry, geology, and physics. Chuck was not only influential in the area of ‘‘evolution’’, but geology as well. So, why write about him now? Well, his 200th birthday (bicentennial) has approached us. Although, many of the concepts of evolution and natural selection have been modified in what we now call neo-Darwinism, his work initiated the process. The spirit of change and controversy that arose from his work and ultimate publication of ‘‘Origin of the Species’’ in 1859 continue today and may be stronger than ever. Controversy and debate regarding his theory has not subsided at all and in many ways continue to flare stronger than ever. Certainly the concept that Chuck presented on evolution was not entirely new, after all it was apparently simmering for a while. Chuck was initially sent to Edinburgh University to study medicine but he neglected his studies, then theology at the University of Cambridge. Here at Cambridge he became interested in science; although, did