Charles Darwin

Science and religion aren’t usually known for going hand in hand, and Charles Darwin’s revolutionary ideas about evolution widened the divide between the two, sparking controversy at a time when religion was paramount in people’s lives. Renowned for his theory of evolution, Darwin’s scientific beliefs contradicted the Victorian belief in God’s divine creation. While many clergymen branded Darwin a blasphemer, however, his ideas were quickly accepted by many, going on to form the basis of natural science as it is today.

Born on 12 February 1808, Charles Darwin was raised in a wealthy, liberal-minded family. Despite being brought up with Christian morals and teachings, he was encouraged to push himself and explore his own ideas. With two grandfathers of significance, it was little wonder that the young Darwin was so curious.

His paternal grandfather, Erasmus Darwin, who had died several years before the young Darwin’s birth, had been a physician of great reputation–he was offered the position of Royal Physician, but turned it down. What made Erasmus so notorious, however, were his ideas about transmutation, which preceded Charles Darwin’s similar theory of evolution. However, Erasmus’s suggestion of transmutation wasn’t received well and