Charles Darwin Facts for KS2

Find out all about Charles Darwin, his life, his voyage on HMS Beagle and his theory of evolution with these fascinating Charles Darwin facts for KS2 children.

Charles Darwin is one of the most important scientists children learn about in KS2 Science. His work on evolution and natural selection changed the way people understood the natural world and helped explain how living things adapt and change over time.

Who was Charles Darwin?

Charles Darwin was a British naturalist who was born in Shrewsbury, England, on 12th February 1809. A naturalist is someone who studies nature, including animals, plants and habitats. Darwin is best known for developing the theory of evolution by natural selection.

What was Charles Darwin known for?

Charles Darwin spent many years studying the natural world. Between 1831 and 1836, he travelled around the world on HMS Beagle, visiting places including Brazil, Argentina, Chile and the Galápagos Islands.

During his voyage, Darwin collected plants, animals, rocks and fossils to study back in England. His observations helped scientists understand more about the Earth's history and how living things adapt to different environments.

What did Charles Darwin discover?

After returning from his travels, Charles Darwin began developing his ideas about how species change over time. In 1859, he published his famous book On the Origin of Species, which explained his theory of evolution by natural selection.

Darwin suggested that species gradually adapt to their environments over many generations. Living things with helpful characteristics are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those characteristics on to their offspring. This process became known as natural selection or ‘survival of the fittest’.

Why are the Galápagos Islands important?

The Galápagos Islands played an important role in Darwin’s thinking about evolution. While visiting the islands, he noticed that similar animals had slightly different features depending on which island they lived on.

Darwin’s observations of finches became especially famous. Different finches had different beak shapes suited to different food sources, helping Darwin understand how animals adapt to survive in different environments.

How did Charles Darwin die?

Charles Darwin lived with long-term health problems for much of his adult life. Historians still debate the exact cause of his illness, although some believe he may have suffered from Crohn’s disease.

Darwin died of heart failure on 19th April 1882 at his home, Down House, in Kent. He was buried in Westminster Abbey in London.

“I am not the least afraid of death. Remember what a good wife you have been to me.”

Fun facts about Charles Darwin

• Charles Darwin co-developed ideas about evolution with Alfred Russel Wallace.
• He dropped out of medical school because he disliked seeing blood.
• Darwin travelled around the world on HMS Beagle for five years.
• He waited around 20 years before publishing his theory of evolution.
• Darwin loved hiking and exploring nature.
• He appeared on the back of the £10 note until 2018.
• Darwin and his wife Emma played backgammon together every evening.
• He was born on the same day as Abraham Lincoln: 12th February 1809.