Charles Darwin was an English naturalist and biologist, best known for his theory of evolution through natural selection. Born on February 12, 1809, he embarked on a voyage aboard the HMS Beagle, where he observed various species and their adaptations to different environments. His findings led to the publication of his groundbreaking work, On the Origin of Species, in 1859. Darwin's ideas challenged traditional views of creation and laid the foundation for modern evolutionary biology. His work emphasized the importance of variation and competition among species, influencing fields such as genetics, ecology, and paleontology.