24 November 1859 (first edition) / Europe
On the Origin of Species argues for natural selection
Darwin assembled a sustained case for natural selection. Wallace had independently developed a similar mechanism; their writings were jointly presented in 1858.
The story
The book combined breeding, geographical distribution and natural history to explain how heritable differences accumulate through survival and reproduction. Its publication was not the first suggestion that species change. Wallace’s independent work prompted the 1858 joint presentation. Heredity remained poorly understood; later genetics extended and revised evolutionary explanations.
Connections and context
Classification and observations from many regions became evidence for common descent and changing species. Natural selection describes a process, not a purposeful ladder toward progress.
Dates and precision
24 November 1859 (first edition) Documented date
Positioned by the documented year, month or day. Missing precision is not inferred.
Representative map location
Downe, England
The marker represents Darwin’s writing at Downe. Publication was in London; evidence came from many regions.
Representative coordinates · 51.331°, 0.053°
A marker identifies one representative place, such as a manuscript collection, laboratory or observing site. It does not mean the work happened only there, or assign a shared discovery to one country.
Bibliography
- University of Cambridge Darwin Correspondence Project: On the Origin of Species
- Origin: the book in Darwin’s correspondence
References are listed as plain bibliography titles. They support particular facts or context; a reference does not certify every interpretation in a story.