Happy Birthday

Charles Darwin is turning 200. In fact, his birthday, February 12, 1809, also marked the arrival of another significant person of the 19th century. It’s the bicentennial of the births of both Darwin and Abraham Lincoln. Both were vilified in their time and both have been shown to be visionaries who helped shape the modern world, as we know it.

Before Darwin, it was assumed that all species were created and existed in their original form, and that was it. This is known as immutability of species. Darwin’s observations of mammals, birds, and fossils in South America, however, got him wondering about the relationships between environment, living species, and somewhat similar fossil forms. He collected thousands of specimens and shipped them back to England.

What haunted him was the question as to how this diversity occurred. An answer began to form as he reflected on three things. One: any given species produces an excess of offspring. Two: there is competition among them for survival, particularly during times of environmental stress (such as drought). And three: there is variation among the offspring.

Darwin reasoned that variations among offspring would produce some particularly advantageous traits, such as (in birds) a more suitable beak shape, or (in mice) a color that better matched surroundings. This would give its possessor a slight advantage, increasing its likelihood at living to parent the next generation and thereby passing along its attributes. He noted examples on the Galapagos Islands. Finches on the various islands had beaks that varied from broad and stout to thin and pointed. These were perfectly adapted to feed on specific seeds available on their respective islands. He correctly deduced that they shared a common ancestor (as now shown by DNA).

He referred to this as “natural selection,” and noted that it works similarly to human selection that produces widely varied dog breeds. Far from a random process, selection enables populations to continually adapt to environmental conditions, which are ever changing. In the early stages of developing his theory, he referred to the process as “transmutation.” It later became known as “evolution.”

Alfred Russel Wallace, working in Indonesia, independently came up with his own theory of natural selection. He sent it to Darwin, who had been reluctant to publish “Origin,” suspecting it would be controversial. This was a shock to Darwin. Having worked for a couple of decades fine tuning his book (while working on other projects), he was encouraged by friends to publish his book. Wallace served as a catalyst to get the word out about evolution.

In Wallace’s own words, “I could never have approached the completeness of his (Darwin’s) book, its vast accumulation of evidence, its overwhelming argument, and its admirable tone and spirit. I really feel thankful that it has not been left to me to give the theory to the world. Mr. Darwin has created a new science and a new philosophy; and I believe that never has such a complete illustration of a new branch of human knowledge been due to the labours and researches of a single man.”

Darwin provided an elegant unifying logical explanation for the diversity of life. He based his evolutionary theory on vast collections and painstaking and pioneering work on the ongoing process of natural selection. He published “On The Origin of Species by Means Of Natural Selection” on November 24, 1859. That date, according to author, Tim Berra (biology professor at Ohio State University), marks the beginning of modern Biology.

Initially he had set out, as the captain’s aid, on a five year voyage aboard the H.M.S. Beagle, circumnavigating the globe. But for the curious twenty-two year old, this became a once in a lifetime opportunity, launching him into an incredible career as naturalist, biologist, and author. He collected many thousands of specimens, from such exotic places as the Galapagos Islands, and the Amazon rain forest.

Darwin was a very meticulous researcher. For example, back home in England, he turned his attention to barnacles (the Cirripedia) and spent eight years studying 10,000 specimens of all known living as well as fossil forms. He produced a monumental four volume work that is still highly regarded today. In doing this painstaking study, he learned about the wide range of variation within one species, so key in the ability of populations to adapt to changing environmental conditions. Darwin was able to correctly deduce that it was crab-like ancestors that gave rise to barnacles.

A careful observer, Darwin discovered that growing plants are light sensitive, and that growth is greatest on the side of the plant away from the light source. He published his findings in “The Power of Movement in Plants.” This eventually led to the study of plant growth hormones.

In 1881 he published his last book, “The Formation of Vegetable Mould Through the Action of Worms With Observations on Their Habits.” He studied worms in the garden and yard, and kept worms in pots and observed them at night using red filtered light. He was able to calculate that earthworms bring eighteen tons of finely ground soil per acre per year to the surface, aerating and improving soil.

In 1953 Francis Crick and James Watson made a discovery that corroborated Darwin’s original insights into evolution. DNA.

Darwin had guessed that, “All the organic beings which have ever lived on this earth have descended from some one primordial form.” Today, according to Matt Ridley, “To understand the story of evolution – both its narrative and its mechanism – modern Darwins don’t have to guess. They consult genetic scripture.” Charles would be proud and pleased.

Coincidentally, back in 1882, Crick’s grandfather had sent Darwin a water beetle with a tiny clam attached to its leg. Darwin wrote a short paper on the clam, which turned out to be his last published work. Just two weeks later he died.

Charles Darwin was motivated by a great love of nature. Upon visiting a wilderness in Brazil, he wrote: “It is not possible to give an adequate idea of the higher feelings of wonder, admiration, and devotion which fill and elevate the mind.”

Darwin has been called the “Willie Mays of Biology,” probably because he could “hit with power, run, field, and throw,” (symbolically, of course). To that I would add that he is also the “Bart Starr of Biology,” two-time Superbowl MVP, but a soft spoken gentleman and humble champion.

English Biologist, Thomas Henry Huxley, wrote, upon receiving a copy of “The Origin,” “How extremely stupid of me not to have thought of that.” When Darwin died, Huxley characterized him as, “An intellect which had no superior, and with a character which was even nobler than the intellect.”

Darwin passed away on April 19, 1882, surrounded by his wife, Emma, and three of their children, Francis, Henrietta, and Elizabeth. Ever the scientist, he was never particularly religious, “because it is not supported by evidence.” As death approached he said, “I am not the least afraid to die.”

A final and fitting honor was bestowed upon him. On April 26, 1882, he was laid to rest in Westminster Abbey, next to Sir Isaac Newton.