did charles darwin come up with the theory of evolution?

Answer 1

As mentioned, Darwin's major contribution to the early concept of evolution was the mechanism he proposed: natural selection. It is fair to say that Darwin came up with the idea first, but he sat on it and did not publish until Alfred Russel Wallace independently came up with the same (or very similar) concept. Both published, but Darwin - having had the time to refine and find support for the theory in the decades between its conception and publication and his superior status in the scientific community at the time - came out with most of the credit for proposing natural selection (arguably warranted, but worth noting that Wallace came up with the same thing on his own as well).

Answer 2

Darwin's breakthrough was evolution through natural selection.
It's not a coincidence that the idea occurred to someone during the 19th century. Deliberate selective breeding was producing agricultural marvels and unusual variations on domesticated animals and plants.

The idea that animals and even people had evolved from one another or inanimate materials is pretty ancient. A few ancient Greek philosophers were of such a mind. Darwin just found a way that it could work consistently and without overt supernatural interference.

There was a fellow who was burned at the stake at the dawn of the 17th century for among other things suggesting a continuum of matter from nonliving to simple living things to more complex organisms. Giordano Bruno.

Lamarck and several others made motions towards it as biology slowly evolved from globe trotting gentleman's hobby into a science in the late 18th and early 19th century. Lacking a viable means of operation their views got back burnered by the flailing, failing attempts to hold onto some kind of literal or quasi-literal creationism in the face of findings that didn't square with creationism.

Answer 3

Charles Darwin was not the first person to have ideas about evolution. His own grandfather wrote a book about it before C. Darwin was even born.

Charles Darwin WAS the first person to record ideas about natural selection. The difference between natural selection and evolution is that natural selection describes a way that evolution can happen. Evolution refers to the actual changes that occur as a result.

Answer 4

Darwin spent decades working out his theory of evolution by means of natural selection. He held off on publishing it because he was a very private man and he felt the commotion would upset his very religious wife.

However, he learned through correspondence that Alfred Russel Wallace was preparing to publish basically the same idea. The idea came to Wallace suddenly, and he did not have the years of research that Darwin did. They agreed to have their papers read at the same meeting of the Linnean Society. Darwin and Wallace remained friends, though they had some disagreements (Particularly over Wallace's acceptance of spiritualism)

Answer 5

The Theory of evolution as we know it is indeed Charles darwin's work.

Answer 6

The concept of evolution pre-dated Darwin. However pre-Darwin evolution was of the the "giraffes have long necks from stretching them to eat leaves" variety. Darwin's contribution was natural selection.