Final answer:
Charles Darwin is renowned for his transformative work on evolution through natural selection, which significantly influenced Victorian perspectives on religion and humanity's place in nature. His theory faced opposition but ultimately became a cornerstone of biological science.
Step-by-step explanation:
Charles Darwin and Evolution
Charles Darwin is best known for his scientific work on evolution that challenged the religious beliefs and self-perception of the Victorians. Darwin, a British naturalist, presented his theory of natural selection in his notable work, On the Origin of Species in 1859. This theory proposed that species evolve over time due to natural selection, rather than divine creation. Though widely accepted by the scientific community, the theory was controversial among the public, particularly with the Anglican Church and others who saw it as conflicting with religious creation narratives. Despite initial resistance, Darwin's insights into natural selection laid the groundwork for modern biology and persisted through advancements in genetics and molecular science.
Among Darwin's contemporaries were geologists like Charles Lyell, whose understanding of gradual geological changes influenced Darwin's ideas about the necessary time span for natural selection. Darwin's theory systematically explained the existence of fossils and biological adaptation with solid evidence. By 1870, a substantial majority of British scientists accepted evolutionary theory. Furthermore, Darwin established a direct link between human evolution and natural selection in his 1871 publication, The Descent of Man.
Although Charles Darwin published his seminal book on evolution before becoming aware of Gregor Mendel's work on heredity, his theories nonetheless became foundational to biological science. The rediscovery of Mendel's work further solidified the scientific basis for evolution, illustrating the critical nature of scientific communication.