"In the Origin of Species (1859) Darwin challenged many of the most deeply held beliefs of the Western world. Arguing for a material, not divine, origin of species, he showed that new species are achieved by 'natural selection'. Development, diversification, decay, extinction and absence of plan are all inherent to his theories." "Darwin read prodigiously across many fields; he reflected on his experiences as a traveller, he experimented. His profoundly...