Who developed the first theory of evolution by natural selection?

Charles Darwin

Charles Darwin revolutionized our understanding of life on Earth with his theory of evolution by natural selection, published in "On the Origin of Species" in 1859. His journey on the HMS Beagle was crucial in the development of his theory, with the observation of biological diversity allowing him to conceptualize how species evolve over time. This theory laid the foundations of evolutionary biology, explaining how species adapt to their environment. Darwin is now recognized as one of the most influential scientists in history, having changed the way we view humanity's place in the natural world.