Charles Wyville Thomson was a Scottish naturalist and oceanographer, born on March 5, 1830. He is best known for his role as the chief scientist on the HMS Challenger expedition from 1872 to 1876, which was the first major scientific voyage dedicated to studying the deep sea. This expedition provided valuable data about ocean depths, marine life, and geological formations. Thomson's work significantly advanced the field of marine biology and oceanography. He published the findings of the Challenger Expedition in a series of reports, which laid the groundwork for future oceanographic research. His contributions helped establish the importance of studying the oceans and their ecosystems.