Evolutionary Theory Collection

Stephen Gould, US palaeontologist
Stephen Gould. Caricature of the US palaeontologist, evolutionary biologist, science historian and author Stephen Jay Gould (1941-2002) holding a collection of his essays called The Pandas Thumb

Erasmus Darwin House. This is the house where Erasmus Darwin (1731-1802), British physician and grandfather of Charles Darwin, lived from 1756 to 1781

Richard Owen, British palaeontologist C016 / 5008
Richard Owen (1804-1892), British anatomist and palaeontologist. Owen was the founder and first director of the Natural History Museum, London, UK

Signature of Charles Darwin
3078393 Signature of Charles Darwin; (add.info.: Signature of Charles Darwin (1809-1882) an English naturalist and geologist. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Portrait of Charles Darwin
3522043 Portrait of Charles Darwin; (add.info.: Portrait of Charles Darwin (1809-1882) an English naturalist and geologist. Dated 19th Century); Universal History Archive/UIG

Life As A Tree, 18th Century Caption reads, "Darwin's evolutionary theory was to reinterpret the centuries old picture of life as a tree with many branches displaying the various species

Alfred Russel Wallace, c. 1910 (b/w photo)
XJF437544 Alfred Russel Wallace, c.1910 (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Darwin finds an interesting specimen (litho)
STC335878 Darwin finds an interesting specimen (litho) by Webb, Archibald Bertram (1887-1944) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Charles Darwin (1809-82) on the shore of a coral island

Charles Darwin, c. 1870 (b / w photo)
XJF438453 Charles Darwin, c.1870 (b/w photo) by Cameron, Julia Margaret (1815-79); Private Collection; (add.info.: Charles Darwin (12 February 1809 - 19 April 1882)

Portrait of Charles Darwin at Age 72, c. 1871 (albumen print)
2622392 Portrait of Charles Darwin at Age 72, c.1871 (albumen print) by Rejlander, Oscar Gustav (1813-1875); Private Collection; (add.info.: Portrait of Charles Darwin at age 72)

Titlepage to On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin
XJF294044 Titlepage to On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin, published in 1859 (litho) (b/w photo) by English School

Charles Darwins study at Down House, 1882 (engraving) (b / w photo)
XJF294039 Charles Darwins study at Down House, 1882 (engraving) (b/w photo) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Charles Darwin, c. 1870 (b / w photo)
STC64677 Charles Darwin, c.1870 (b/w photo) by Cameron, Julia Margaret (1815-79); Private Collection; (add.info.: Charles Darwin (12 February 1809 - 19 April 1882)

Mouse, Tierra del Fuego, South America c. 1832-36 (etching) (b / w photo)
XJF294045 Mouse, Tierra del Fuego, South America c.1832-36 (etching) (b/w photo) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Comte de Buffon, French naturalist C016 / 5018
Comte de Buffon (1707-1788), French naturalist. Georges Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon, was keeper of the French botanical gardens

Sir Richard Owen, museum statue C016 / 5009
Sir Richard Owen, museum statue. British anatomist and palaeontologist Richard Owen (1804-1892) was the founder and first director of the Natural History Museum, London, UK

Sir Richard Owen, museum statue C016 / 5007
Sir Richard Owen, museum statue. British anatomist and palaeontologist Richard Owen (1804-1892) was the founder and first director of the Natural History Museum, London, UK

Richard Owen, British palaeontologist C016 / 5006
Richard Owen (1804-1892), British anatomist and palaeontologist. Owen was the founder and first director of the Natural History Museum, London, UK

Alfred Russel Wallace, British naturalist C013 / 6595
Alfred Russel Wallace (1823-1913), British naturalist. Wallace organised expeditions to the Amazon and Malaysia and was the first European to see orang-utans in the wild

Erasmus Darwin, British doctor
Erasmus Darwin (1731-1802), British physician and grandfather of Charles Darwin. Erasmus Darwin studied medicine at the universities of Edinburgh and Cambridge, qualifying in 1755

Jean Lamarck, French naturalist
Jean Lamarck (1744-1829), French naturalist. Lamarck proposed early ideas on evolution and the variation of species in his book Zoological Philosophy (1809)

Georges Cuvier, French zoologist
Georges Cuvier (1769-1832), French zoologist and anatomist. Georges Leopold Chretien Frederick Dagobert Cuvier was educated in Stuttgart, Germany

Jean Lamarck, caricature
Jean Lamarck (1744-1829). Caricature of the French naturalist Jean Lamarck, showing him with a long, drawn face. Lamarck proposed early ideas on evolution

Alfred Wallace, caricature
Alfred Wallace (1823-1913). Caricature of the British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace, showing him with a large nose and bushy facial hair

Jean Lamarck, French naturalist
Jean Lamarck (1744-1829), French naturalist. Lamarck proposed early ideas on evolution and the variation of species in his book Zoological Philosophy (1809)

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Evolutionary theory, a groundbreaking concept in the field of biology, has been shaped by numerous influential figures throughout history. One such figure is Stephen Gould, an esteemed US paleontologist whose contributions have greatly enriched our understanding of evolution. Another significant location associated with this theory is the Erasmus Darwin House, which stands as a testament to the legacy of Charles Darwin's evolutionary ideas. Richard Owen, a British paleontologist, also played a pivotal role in advancing evolutionary theory. His work and discoveries further solidified the scientific community's acceptance of this revolutionary concept. Alfred Russel Wallace, captured in a captivating black and white photograph from around 1910, was another prominent figure who independently arrived at similar conclusions about evolution. The journey towards formulating evolutionary theory was not without its exciting moments. In one instance depicted through lithography, we witness Charles Darwin discovering an intriguing specimen that would contribute to his groundbreaking research. This momentous occasion exemplifies the curiosity and dedication that fueled Darwin's exploration into natural selection. Charles Darwin himself remains synonymous with evolutionary theory due to his seminal work "On the Origin of Species. " The title page of this iconic book serves as a symbol for the profound impact it had on shaping our understanding of life on Earth. Furthermore, glimpses into Darwin's personal life can be seen through photographs capturing him at various stages in his career and during different periods in his life. Darwin's study at Down House provides us with insight into where he conducted much of his research and contemplation on evolution. This engraving from 1882 offers a glimpse into the environment that nurtured some of humanity's most transformative scientific ideas. To fully appreciate how far we have come in comprehending evolution, it is essential to acknowledge earlier thinkers like Comte de Buffon—a French naturalist whose contributions laid crucial groundwork for future developments within this field.