Last updated on: 12/9/2013 | Author: ProCon.org

Charles Darwin, MA Biography

Title:
British naturalist and originator of the theory of evolution
Position:
Pro to the question "Should Animals Be Used for Scientific or Commercial Testing?"
Reasoning:

“I have all my life been a strong advocate for humanity to animals, and have done what I could in my writings to enforce this duty… On the other hand, I know that physiology cannot possibly progress except by means of experiments on living animals, and I feel the deepest conviction that he who retards the progress of physiology commits a crime against mankind.”

“Mr. Darwin on Vivisection,” darwin-online.org.uk, Apr. 14, 1881
Involvement and Affiliations:
  • Naturalist, geologist, biologist
  • Theory of evolution presented to the Linnaean Society (UK), July 1, 1858 (Darwin not present)
  • Secretary, Geological Society (UK), 1838-1841
  • Expedition on survey ship HMS Beagle, Dec. 27, 1831-Oct. 2, 1836
  • Field trip to North Wales, Aug. 1831
Education:
  • MA, Christ’s College, University of Cambridge (UK), 1836
  • BA, Christ’s College, University of Cambridge (UK), 1831
  • Attended Edinburgh University (UK), 1825-1827
  • Attended Shrewsbury Grammar School (UK), 1818-1825
Other:
  • Full name is Charles Robert Darwin
  • Died Apr. 19, 1882 in London, England; buried in Westminster Abbey
  • Recipient, Honorary LLD, Cambridge University, 1877
  • Recipient, Copley Medal, Royal Society of London, Nov. 1864
  • Had 10 children
  • Married his cousin Emma Wedgwood, Jan. 29, 1839
  • Born Feb. 12, 1809 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England
Quoted in:
Pro & Con Quotes: Should Animals Be Used for Scientific or Commercial Testing?