Charles Darwin. 12 February 1809 – 19 April 1882

Today's Sunday Challenge is: A photo with a historical story.

This is a sculpture of Charles Robert Darwin who was born in Shrewsbury on 12 February 1809, at his family's home. It is placed outside the library in Shrewsbury, with the dates of his birth and death.

Darwin was an English naturalist, geologist, and biologist, widely known for his contributions to evolutionary biology. His proposition that all species of life have descended from a common ancestor is now generally accepted and considered a fundamental concept in science.

From September 1818, he joined his older brother Erasmus in attending the nearby Anglican Shrewsbury School as a boarder. The school is still run as a public (private) school, whose notable alumni include Michael Palin, the DJ John Peel and Richard Todd the handsome actor.

Darwin is most well known for his book, 'On the Origin of Species, first published on 24 November 1859.in which he stated that the diversity of life arose by common descent through a branching pattern of evolution.



The PiP shows Shrewsbury School and the associated boathouse.