On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin Darwin's groundbreaking work introduces the theory of evolution by natural selection. It explains how species adapt and evolve over time, fundamentally altering the scientific understanding of biodiversity, heredity, and the interconnectedness of life on Earth. Charles Darwin (1809–1882) was an English naturalist and biologist, renowned for his theory of evolution through natural selection, presented in On the Origin of Species. His groundbreaking work reshaped biological science, explaining the diversity of life and influencing fields from genetics to anthropology.