Charles Darwin Biography: Wife, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Height, Cause of Death, Books, Children, Awards

Born on February 12, 1809, in Shrewsbury, England, Darwin’s journey toward becoming a naturalist began with a five-year voyage on the HMS Beagle, profoundly shaping his understanding of the natural world.

During this expedition, he collected many specimens and made observations that would lead him to formulate his groundbreaking theory of evolution by natural selection.

His seminal work, “On the Origin of Species,” published in 1859, challenged established beliefs about the origins of life and introduced a new framework for understanding biological diversity.

Profile

•   Full name: Charles Robert Darwin
•   Date of birth: February 12, 1809
•   Age as of 2024: 215 years (deceased)
•   Gender: Male
•   Place of birth: Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England
•   Nationality: British
•   Profession: Naturalist, Geologist, Biologist
•   Height: N/A
•   Parents: Hermann Darwin and Sarah Wedgewood Darwin
•   Siblings: Erasmus Alvey Darwin, Emily Catherine Darwin, Marianne Darwin Parker, Susan Elizabeth Darwin, Caroline Sarah Darwin Wedgwood
•   Spouse: Emma Wedgwood
•   Children: William Erasmus Darwin, George Howard Darwin, Francis Darwin, Leonard Darwin, Horace Darwin, and two daughters (Mary Eleanor Darwin and Margaret Elizabeth Darwin)
•   Relationship status: Married
•   Religion: Agnostic
•   Ethnicity: English
•   Net worth: $10 million

Early Life and Education

Charles Darwin (215 deceased) was born on February 12, 1809, in Shrewsbury, England. He was the fifth of six children in a well-to-do family; his father was a physician, and his mother came from the prominent Wedgwood pottery family.

Darwin was interested in nature and science from an early age but initially pursued medicine at the University of Edinburgh. However, he found medical studies unappealing and instead focused on natural history.

1827, he transferred to Christ’s College at Cambridge University to study theology. While there, he became increasingly interested in natural sciences and formed relationships with notable figures such as botanist John Stevens Henslow. After graduating in 1831, he accepted an invitation to join Captain Robert FitzRoy on a scientific expedition aboard the HMS Beagle.

The voyage lasted from 1831 to 1836 and took him to various regions, including South America and the Galapagos Islands. This journey proved transformative for Darwin as he collected numerous specimens and made critical observations that would later inform his theories on evolution.

Personal Life

Charles Darwin married his cousin Emma Wedgwood on January 29, 1839. The couple had ten children together; however, three of them died in infancy or early childhood. The surviving children included William Erasmus, George Howard, Francis, Leonard, Horace, Mary Eleanor, and Margaret Elizabeth.

Darwin’s marriage was characterized by mutual support; Emma played a crucial role in managing their household while allowing him the freedom to pursue his scientific interests.

Despite his public persona as a dedicated scientist, Darwin faced significant health issues throughout his life that often left him bedridden or unable to work for extended periods.

His personal beliefs evolved; raised in a Christian household, he ultimately became agnostic later in life due to conflicts between religious doctrine and scientific evidence.

Career

Darwin’s career began in earnest after he returned from the Beagle voyage and started analyzing his findings. He published “The Journal of Researches” (1839), detailing his expedition observations. However, it was not until 1859 that he published “On the Origin of Species,” which articulated his theory of evolution through natural selection.

In this groundbreaking work, Darwin proposed that species evolve through a process where individuals better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. This idea fundamentally challenged contemporary views on creationism and sparked intense debate across scientific and religious communities.

Following this publication, Darwin continued to refine his theories with subsequent works such as “The Descent of Man” (1871), where he explored human evolution and sexual selection. His meticulous research laid the groundwork for modern evolutionary biology and established him as one of history’s foremost scientists.

Awards

•   Copley Medal from the Royal Society (1864)
•   Royal Medal from the Royal Society (1853)

Net Worth

Charles Darwin’s personal estate was valued at £146,911 at the time of his death, which is approximately £13 million in today’s money. This substantial wealth was mainly due to his prudent investments in railway stocks, which appreciated significantly over time.

Additionally, Darwin’s family background contributed to his financial standing; his wife, Emma Wedgwood, was the daughter of Josiah Wedgwood II, a prominent and wealthy figure.  

Death

Charles Darwin passed away on April 19, 1882, at his home in Downe, Kent, at the age of 73. Many worldwide mourned his death, and he was buried in Westminster Abbey, a testament to his profound impact on science and society.

Controversy

Charles Darwin’s legacy is not without controversy; his theories have sparked debates that continue today regarding evolution versus creationism.

When “On the Origin of Species” was published in 1859, it challenged long-held beliefs about human origins. It provoked strong reactions from religious groups who viewed it as contradictory to biblical creation accounts.

Darwin’s ideas were often misinterpreted or misrepresented by proponents of “social Darwinism,” a term used to justify social inequality based on misconstrued interpretations of natural selection applied to human societies. This misuse led to ethical debates surrounding eugenics and racial superiority theories that emerged later in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Additionally, during his lifetime and beyond, some critics accused him of lacking sufficient empirical evidence for certain aspects of his theory—particularly concerning transitional fossils.

Although subsequent discoveries have supported evolutionary theory over time these criticisms contributed to ongoing tensions between science and religion.

Darwin himself struggled with these controversies; he was aware that publishing such radical ideas could lead to social ostracism similar to what had happened to previous thinkers like his grandfather Erasmus Darwin who faced backlash for discussing transmutation.

Despite these challenges surrounding aspects related specifically to interpretations derived from work, Darwin’s contributions remain foundational within biological sciences today while continuing to provoke discussions about the ethical implications associated with scientific advancements.

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Books

•   On the Origin of Species (1859)
•   The Descent of Man (1871)
•   The Expression of Emotions in Man and Animals (1872)
•   The Formation of Vegetable Mould through the Actions of Worms (1881)