Charles DarwinCourtesy Public domainToday marks the birthday of naturalist Charles Robert Darwin, born February 12, 1809. Darwin's most important work On the Origin of Species was first published in 1859, and laid out his theory of evolution through natural selection. The publication caused an uproar in religious circles at the time, because evolution went against the prevailing biblical notion that all life on earth had come into existence in whole form rather than evolved.

If you'd like to learn more about Darwin's accomplishments, what better way to do so on his birthday than to read his obituary that appeared in the April 29, 1882 issue of Scientific American. Happy birthday, Mr. Darwin!

LINKS
Darwin's obituary as pdf.