The Life Of:

His family wanted him to be a doctor. They didn’t support his other interests.  His father, Robert Darwin, was a physician (doctor)  His grandfather, Erasmus Darwin, was a highly respected physician and biologist.  His brother was also going to be a doctor. But Darwin was bored by school and thought doctors training was “gory”

Robert Darwin “ You care for nothing but shooting dogs and rat catching, and all you will be is a disgrace to yourself and ALL your family. ”

Darwin’s Education FIRST, he went to the University of Edinburgh, Scotland (to become a doctor) But he was too squeamish to operate! THEN He went to the University of Cambridge, England. (to be a clergyman.) But he wasn’t interested in that either!

While at Cambridge, Darwin shared many interests with the zoology lecturer, Dr. Robert Grant. And He became friends with the professor of botany, John Henslow

Darwin graduated college, but went home uncertain. But soon after returning home, he received a letter that would CHANGE HIS LIFE.

The letter was from his friend, John Henslow. Henslow had turned down an opportunity to be a naturalist on a Survey ship (HMS Beagle) –Which was to sail around the world. So, he recommended Darwin!

The ship set sail from Dec Oct (about 5 years) After surveying the coastline of South America for 4 years, they sailed to the Galapagos Islands! On the Galapagos Islands, Darwin collected many rocks & plants. He also captured animals (mostly birds) to bring back to England.

Darwin realized that 13 of the species he collected were finches. HOWEVER, the birds had different beaks! Darwin later concluded that they had all evolved from a common ancestor and each species had developed different beaks to adapt to different foods!