The world known naturalist Charles Darwin was the first to put forward the theory of evolution by natural selection.

This theory became basic for modern biological sciences and had a profound impact on people's worldview.

In his autobiography, Charles wrote that he had been fond of natural sciences from the very childhood, but he hadn't thought seriously of a naturalist's career. At the university, he studied medicine and then theology. However, in 1831 his life changed completely – Charles received an offer to participate in a long-term surveying voyage by the Royal Navy brig H.M.S. Beagle as a naturalist.

When the brig left Plymouth's harbor, nobody could imagine that this circumnavigation would go down in the history books. The main mission was just to investigate South American shores and lay down new territories upon the chart, while Charles's mission as a naturalist was supplementary.

Upon his return in 1836, Darwin started systematizing all the materials gathered and later settled down to work on his revolutionary theory.