# Darwin publishes On the Origin of Species (1859)

URL: https://english-history.com/timeline/1859-darwin-publishes-on-the-origin-of-species
Categories: main-event

Charles Darwin presented his theory of evolution by natural selection. Within the broader Victorian Britain period, industrial society, mass politics, public-health reform, global empire and the Irish question dominated public life. This event is placed at 1859 in the chronology so it can be read alongside the political, military, social and cultural changes around it. The book transformed biology and provoked far-reaching religious and intellectual debate.

## Why it matters
The book transformed biology and provoked far-reaching religious and intellectual debate.

Ruler at the time: [Victoria](https://english-history.com/rulers/victoria)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — Darwin publishes On the Origin of Species](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=Darwin+publishes+On+the+Origin+of+Species&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Darwin publishes On the Origin of Species](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Darwin+publishes+On+the+Origin+of+Species)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of British history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_British_history_%281800%E2%80%931899%29)
- [The National Archives — Victorian resources](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/)