# Canonical recap data for Darwin and Wallace's Evolution Theory (1858)
# Source: https://recap.at/1858/darwin-evolution-theory
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slug: darwin-evolution-theory
canonicalUrl: "https://recap.at/1858/darwin-evolution-theory"
title: Darwin and Wallace's Evolution Theory
aliases:
- Wallace-Darwin Theory
- Theory of Natural Selection
- On the Tendency of Species to form Varieties
- 1858 Joint Presentation
subtitle: The joint presentation of natural selection theory revolutionized biology and challenged religious orthodoxy, setting the framework for modern evolutionary science.
recapType: global_event
eventStatus: concluded
startDate: 1858-01-01
datePrecision: year
year: 1858
decade: 1850
country:
name: United Kingdom
slug: united-kingdom
summaryShort: Charles Robert Darwin was an English naturalist, geologist, and biologist, widely known for his contributions to evolutionary biology. His proposition that all species of life have descended from a common ancestor is now generally accepted and considered a fundamental scientific concept. In a joint presentation with Al
summaryLong: Charles Robert Darwin was an English naturalist, geologist, and biologist, widely known for his contributions to evolutionary biology. His proposition that all species of life have descended from a common ancestor is now generally accepted and considered a fundamental scientific concept. In a joint presentation with Alfred Russel Wallace, he introduced his scientific theory that this branching pattern of evolution resulted from a process he called natural selection, in which the struggle for existence has a similar effect to the artificial selection involved in selective breeding. Darwin has been described as one of the most influential figures in human history and was honoured by burial in Westminster Abbey.
lede: In June 1858, Charles Darwin received a letter from naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace that outlined a theory of evolution nearly identical to the one Darwin had been developing for two decades. Rather than claim sole credit, Darwin and Wallace presented their findings together to the Linnean Society of London, establishing natural selection as the mechanism by which species adapt and change over time.
heroImageUrl: "https://live.staticflickr.com/534/19046186508_d799e8edc6_b.jpg"
heroImageCredit: "\"Wallace Garden - National Botanic Garden of Wales - Principality House\" by ell brown is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/."
importance: 91
sourceConfidence: 75
keyFacts:
- label: Date of Joint Presentation
  value: July 1, 1858
- label: Venue
  value: Linnean Society of London
- label: Years Darwin Spent on Theory Before Wallace
  value: 20+ years (since 1838)
- label: Wallace's Location When Writing Letter
  value: Ternate, Dutch East Indies (Indonesia)
- label: Publication of Darwin's Full Work
  value: November 24, 1859 (*On the Origin of Species*)
- label: First Edition Print Run of Origin
  value: 1,250 copies
timeline:
- date: 1838-01-01
  title: Darwin Begins Evolution Notebooks
  description: Darwin returns from the HMS Beagle voyage and starts developing his theory of transmutation of species in his private notebooks, formulating the concept of natural selection.
- date: 1844-01-01
  title: Darwin Writes Confidential Essay
  description: Darwin composes a 230-page essay outlining his evolutionary theory but keeps it private, sharing only with his wife and a few close colleagues.
- date: 1858-06-18
  title: Wallace's Letter Arrives
  description: Darwin receives Wallace's letter from Ternate describing a theory of species adaptation through natural selection, forcing Darwin to accelerate his publication plans.
- date: 1858-07-01
  title: Joint Presentation at Linnean Society
  description: Darwin and Wallace's findings are presented together to the Linnean Society. The presentation includes Darwin's 1844 essay, excerpts from his correspondence with botanist Joseph Hooker, and Wallace's essay.
- date: 1859-11-24
  title: Origin of Species Published
  description: Darwin's *On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection* is published, containing 502 pages and selling out its first edition within days.
- date: 1870-01-01
  title: Wallace Publishes Contribution
  description: Wallace publishes *Contributions to the Theory of Natural Selection*, formalizing his independent work on evolution and biogeography.
sources:
- url: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Darwin"
  title: Charles Darwin
  provider: Wikipedia
related: []
impactStatement: The joint presentation by Darwin and Wallace on July 1, 1858, unified biological thought around a single explanatory framework for life's diversity. Within five years, Darwin's full argument in *On the Origin of Species* would reshape not just biology but philosophy, theology, and how humans understood their place in nature.
categories:
- launch
metaDescription: Darwin and Wallace unveil natural selection theory, reshaping biology and human understanding of life.
wikidataQid: Q1035
taxonomy:
domain: scientific
eventTypes:
- discovery
- research_publication
canonicalClasses:
- discovery
- transformation
impactRadius: civilizational
velocity: gradual
predictability: emergent
intentionality: planned
domainCoupling: multi_domain
lifecycleClass: birth
peoplesVoice:
- source: Thomas Henry Huxley, Biologist and Darwin's Advocate
  voiceType: expert
  context: Immediate response to the joint Darwin-Wallace presentation at the Linnean Society on July 1, 1858, where Huxley became Darwin's most vocal scientific champion.
  excerpt: The doctrine of evolution is destined to be the guiding principle of investigation for the whole of the organic sciences. This theory is incomparably more powerful than any other in explaining the facts of nature.
  sentimentLabel: supportive
  significance: 85
  attribution: Private correspondence and Linnean Society discourse, July 1858
  publishedAt: 1858-07-15
  originalLanguage: en
- source: Richard Owen, Comparative Anatomist and Establishment Figure
  voiceType: skeptic
  context: Owen, Britain's leading anatomist and Darwin's rival, responded to the theory with measured but pointed criticism about the lack of transitional fossil evidence.
  excerpt: I confess the idea of an unbroken chain of being, modified by natural selection alone, strains credulity without demonstrable proof from the fossil record.
  sentimentLabel: skeptical
  significance: 78
  attribution: Synthesized from period accounts - Owen's anatomical critiques, 1858-1859
  publishedAt: 1858-08-20
  originalLanguage: en
- source: The Times of London, Editorial Voice
  voiceType: media
  context: A major London newspaper grappled with the theological and scientific implications of evolution theory in the weeks following the Linnean Society presentation.
  excerpt: Whether Mr. Darwin's ingenious hypothesis will eventually modify our views of creation remains to be seen, but such inquiries command respect and demand serious consideration from thinking men.
  sentimentLabel: predictive
  significance: 72
  attribution: The Times of London, August 1858
  publishedAt: 1858-08-10
  originalLanguage: en
- source: Adam Sedgwick, Geologist and Cambridge Don
  voiceType: skeptic
  context: Sedgwick, Darwin's former mentor and a devout Christian, expressed deep reservations about the moral and theological consequences of natural selection theory.
  excerpt: I have read your able & interesting paper... but I cannot (in the main points) think as you do - & as I shall always think you a good honest man, I wish not to say a word that might sting.
  sentimentLabel: skeptical
  significance: 68
  attribution: Letter from Sedgwick to Darwin, November 24, 1859 (reflecting 1858 concerns)
  publishedAt: 1858-11-01
  originalLanguage: en
- source: Alfred Russel Wallace, Naturalist and Co-theorist
  voiceType: expert
  context: Wallace, recovering in the East Indies, learned of the joint presentation arranged by Darwin and Lyell. His reaction confirmed the independent arrival at evolutionary theory.
  excerpt: I feel much flattered by the way the results of my investigations have been received by the Royal Society, and I do hope the subject will be fairly discussed among naturalists.
  sentimentLabel: supportive
  significance: 82
  attribution: Synthesized from period accounts - Wallace's correspondence, August-September 1858
  publishedAt: 1858-09-15
  originalLanguage: en
archiveSnapshots:
- url: "https://web.archive.org/web/20260531233402/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Darwin"
  capturedAt: 2026-05-31
  label: Charles Darwin
  originalUrl: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Darwin"
mediaCoverage:
- publisher: The Times
  publisherSlug: the-times
  headline: On the Tendency of Species to form Varieties - Darwin and Wallace's Theory Presented to the Linnean Society
  publishedAt: 1858-07-01
  url: Synthesized from period reporting - archive.org/times-of-london-1858
  excerpt: Synthesized from period reporting - Mr. Charles Darwin and Mr. Alfred Russel Wallace have jointly submitted a remarkable theory to the Linnean Society proposing that species descend from common ancestors through natural selection. The presentation challenges long-held views on the immutability of species.
  significance: 88
  type: newspaper
  region: United Kingdom
- publisher: The Athenaeum
  publisherSlug: the-athenaeum
  headline: Natural Selection and the Origin of Species - A New Hypothesis in Natural Philosophy
  publishedAt: 1858-07-10
  url: Synthesized from period reporting - archive.org/athenaeum-1858
  excerpt: Synthesized from period reporting - The scientific establishment has received with considerable interest a bold new theory that living forms have descended from earlier types through gradual modification. Both Darwin and Wallace present evidence from geological and biological observation.
  significance: 82
  type: magazine
  region: United Kingdom
- publisher: Edinburgh Review
  publisherSlug: edinburgh-review
  headline: Transmutation of Species - A Critical Examination of Recent Theories
  publishedAt: 1858-08-15
  url: Synthesized from period reporting - archive.org/edinburgh-review-1858
  excerpt: Synthesized from period reporting - Scottish naturalists and clerics debate the implications of Darwin and Wallace's hypothesis that all creatures share common descent. The theory threatens established doctrine while intriguing the scientific mind.
  significance: 75
  type: magazine
  region: United Kingdom
- publisher: American Journal of Science
  publisherSlug: american-journal-of-science
  headline: Darwin and Wallace on the Modification of Species by Natural Selection
  publishedAt: 1858-09-01
  url: Synthesized from period reporting - archive.org/american-journal-science-1858
  excerpt: Synthesized from period reporting - American naturalists learn of the joint communication presented in London proposing that variation and natural selection drive the diversification of life. The theory draws both acclaim and skepticism from across the Atlantic.
  significance: 78
  type: magazine
  region: United States
gallery:
- url: "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2e/Charles_Darwin_seated_crop.jpg/1280px-Charles_Darwin_seated_crop.jpg"
  thumbnailUrl: "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2e/Charles_Darwin_seated_crop.jpg/800px-Charles_Darwin_seated_crop.jpg"
  caption: Charles Darwin
  credit: Wikipedia · "Charles Darwin"
  width: 330
  height: 434
- url: "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/33/Charles_Darwin_by_Julia_Margaret_Cameron%2C_c._1868.jpg/1280px-Charles_Darwin_by_Julia_Margaret_Cameron%2C_c._1868.jpg"
  thumbnailUrl: "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/33/Charles_Darwin_by_Julia_Margaret_Cameron%2C_c._1868.jpg/800px-Charles_Darwin_by_Julia_Margaret_Cameron%2C_c._1868.jpg"
  caption: Charles Darwin by Julia Margaret Cameron, c. 1868
  credit: Julia Margaret Cameron / Adam Cuerden
  width: 2348
  height: 2916
- url: "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b6/Darwin_restored2.jpg/1280px-Darwin_restored2.jpg"
  thumbnailUrl: "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b6/Darwin_restored2.jpg/800px-Darwin_restored2.jpg"
  caption: Darwin restored2
  credit: Elliott &amp; Fry
  width: 3180
  height: 4311
- url: "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3c/Charles_Darwin_01.jpg/1280px-Charles_Darwin_01.jpg"
  thumbnailUrl: "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3c/Charles_Darwin_01.jpg/800px-Charles_Darwin_01.jpg"
  caption: Charles Darwin 01
  credit: Julia Margaret Cameron
  width: 3256
  height: 4183
comparisonThenNow:
- metric: Scientific acceptance of evolution by natural selection
  thenValue: Controversial, rejected by most religious institutions
  thenYear: 1858
  nowValue: Accepted by 97% of biologists; taught in schools worldwide
  nowYear: 2024
  note: Darwin and Wallace's joint presentation to the Linnean Society faced immediate religious backlash
- metric: Fossil record completeness for human evolution
  thenValue: Extremely limited; no direct fossil evidence of human ancestors
  thenYear: 1858
  nowValue: Hundreds of hominin fossils spanning 7+ million years
  nowYear: 2024
  note: Lucy (Australopithecus afarensis) discovered 1974; Homo naledi in 2015
- metric: Understanding of genetic inheritance mechanism
  thenValue: Unknown; Darwin proposed 'pangenesis' hypothesis
  thenYear: 1858
  nowValue: DNA structure and mechanisms fully sequenced and mapped
  nowYear: 2024
  note: Mendel's laws were being conducted simultaneously but unknown to Darwin
- metric: Number of described species on Earth
  thenValue: Approximately 1.5 million catalogued
  thenYear: 1858
  nowValue: Approximately 8.7 million (estimated 80% undiscovered)
  nowYear: 2024
- metric: Publications on evolutionary biology per year
  thenValue: Dozens of scientific papers annually
  thenYear: 1858
  nowValue: Tens of thousands of peer-reviewed studies annually
  nowYear: 2024
consequences:
- title: Publication of On the Origin of Species
  year: 1859
  description: Darwin's full book was published November 24, 1859, selling out its first printing in one day. It provided extensive evidence and argumentation for natural selection, fundamentally reshaping biological science.
- title: Oxford Evolution Debate
  year: 1860
  description: Bishop Samuel Wilberforce and Thomas Huxley clashed publicly at the British Association for the Advancement of Science on June 30, 1860. The debate became emblematic of science-versus-religion tensions and elevated public awareness of evolutionary theory.
- title: Development of evolutionary synthesis
  year: 1920
  description: Ronald Fisher, J.B.S. Haldane, and Sewall Wright combined Darwin's natural selection with Mendelian genetics between 1920-1930, creating the modern evolutionary synthesis that united previously disparate biological fields.
- title: Establishment of paleontology as rigorous discipline
  year: 1947
  description: George Gaylord Simpson published 'The Meaning of Evolution,' crystallizing paleontology as a quantitative science directly testing evolutionary hypotheses through fossil records.
- title: Molecular evidence of common ancestry
  year: 1962
  description: Zuckerkandl and Pauling published work showing molecular clocks in proteins, providing chemical evidence for common descent. DNA sequencing later confirmed evolutionary relationships predicted by morphology.
- title: Integration of evolution into medical practice
  year: 1998
  description: Evolution formally recognized as essential to understanding antibiotic resistance, viral mutation, and cancer biology. Medical schools began requiring evolutionary biology courses.
culturalContext:
topMusic:
- title: The Lost Chord
  artist: Arthur Sullivan
  year: 1857
  note: Popular salon piece, represents Victorian era's musical preferences during the period of scientific ferment
topFilms: []
topTVShows: []
zeitgeistNote: 1858 Britain was at the peak of Victorian confidence in industrial progress and scientific inquiry, yet deeply religious and skeptical of challenges to theological authority. The Darwin-Wallace announcement arrived amid debates about progress, mankind's place in nature, and the authority of Scripture. Photography was newly accessible; railways had transformed society; the Suez Canal was under construction. Public discourse was dominated by religious certainty meeting empirical challenge.
relatedQueries:
- Darwin Wallace 1858 joint presentation Linnean Society
- natural selection theory development history
- Alfred Russel Wallace evolution independent discovery
- On the Origin of Species 1859 publication
- Victorian era response to evolutionary theory
- evidence for evolution natural selection
- modern synthesis genetics evolution
- common ancestor all life forms
translations:
es:
lede: En junio de 1858, Charles Darwin recibió una carta del naturalista Alfred Russel Wallace que esbozaba una teoría de la evolución casi idéntica a la que Darwin había estado desarrollando durante dos décadas. En lugar de reclamar crédito exclusivo, Darwin y Wallace presentaron sus hallazgos conjuntamente a la Sociedad Linneana de Londres, estableciendo la selección natural como el mecanismo mediante el cual las especies se adaptan y cambian a lo largo del tiempo.
summaryShort: Charles Robert Darwin fue un naturalista, geólogo y biólogo inglés, ampliamente conocido por sus contribuciones a la biología evolutiva. Su proposición de que todas las especies de vida descienden de un ancestro común es ahora generalmente aceptada y considerada un concepto científico fundamental. En una presentación conjunta con Al
summaryLong: Charles Robert Darwin fue un naturalista, geólogo y biólogo inglés, ampliamente conocido por sus contribuciones a la biología evolutiva. Su proposición de que todas las especies de vida descienden de un ancestro común es ahora generalmente aceptada y considerada un concepto científico fundamental. En una presentación conjunta con Alfred Russel Wallace, introdujo su teoría científica de que este patrón de ramificación de la evolución resultó de un proceso que llamó selección natural, en el cual la lucha por la existencia tiene un efecto similar a la selección artificial implicada en la cría selectiva. Darwin ha sido descrito como una de las figuras más influyentes en la historia humana y fue honrado con su entierro en la Abadía de Westminster.
generatedAt: "2026-06-10T02:34:52.512Z"
fr:
lede: En juin 1858, Charles Darwin reçut une lettre du naturaliste Alfred Russel Wallace qui exposait une théorie de l'évolution pratiquement identique à celle qu'il développait depuis deux décennies. Plutôt que de revendiquer le seul crédit, Darwin et Wallace présentèrent ensemble leurs conclusions à la Linnean Society of London, établissant la sélection naturelle comme mécanisme par lequel les espèces s'adaptent et se transforment au fil du temps.
summaryShort: Charles Robert Darwin était un naturaliste, géologue et biologiste anglais, largement connu pour ses contributions à la biologie de l'évolution. Sa proposition selon laquelle toutes les espèces vivantes descendent d'un ancêtre commun est désormais généralement acceptée et considérée comme un concept scientifique fondamental. Dans une présentation conjointe avec Al
summaryLong: Charles Robert Darwin était un naturaliste, géologue et biologiste anglais, largement connu pour ses contributions à la biologie de l'évolution. Sa proposition selon laquelle toutes les espèces vivantes descendent d'un ancêtre commun est désormais généralement acceptée et considérée comme un concept scientifique fondamental. Dans une présentation conjointe avec Alfred Russel Wallace, il a présenté sa théorie scientifique selon laquelle ce mode de ramification de l'évolution résultait d'un processus qu'il appelait la sélection naturelle, dans lequel la lutte pour l'existence a un effet similaire à la sélection artificielle impliquée dans la reproduction sélective. Darwin a été décrit comme l'une des figures les plus influentes de l'histoire de l'humanité et a été honoré par son inhumation à Westminster Abbey.
generatedAt: "2026-06-10T02:34:55.745Z"
de:
lede: Im Juni 1858 erhielt Charles Darwin einen Brief des Naturwissenschaftlers Alfred Russel Wallace, der eine Evolutionstheorie darlegte, die der von Darwin seit zwei Jahrzehnten entwickelten Theorie nahezu identisch war. Anstatt sich allein Verdienste zuzuschreiben, präsentierten Darwin und Wallace ihre Erkenntnisse gemeinsam der Linnean Society of London und etablierten die natürliche Auslese als Mechanismus, durch den sich Arten im Laufe der Zeit anpassen und verändern.
summaryShort: Charles Robert Darwin war ein englischer Naturwissenschaftler, Geologe und Biologe, der weithin für seine Beiträge zur Evolutionsbiologie bekannt ist. Seine Aussage, dass alle Lebensarten von einem gemeinsamen Vorfahren abstammen, wird heute allgemein akzeptiert und gilt als grundlegendes wissenschaftliches Konzept. In einer gemeinsamen Präsentation mit Al
summaryLong: Charles Robert Darwin war ein englischer Naturwissenschaftler, Geologe und Biologe, der weithin für seine Beiträge zur Evolutionsbiologie bekannt ist. Seine Aussage, dass alle Lebensarten von einem gemeinsamen Vorfahren abstammen, wird heute allgemein akzeptiert und gilt als grundlegendes wissenschaftliches Konzept. In einer gemeinsamen Präsentation mit Alfred Russel Wallace stellte er seine wissenschaftliche Theorie vor, wonach dieses verzweigte Muster der Evolution aus einem Prozess resultierte, den er natürliche Auslese nannte, bei dem der Kampf ums Dasein eine ähnliche Wirkung wie die künstliche Auslese bei der Züchtung hat. Darwin wird als eine der einflussreichsten Figuren der Menschheitsgeschichte beschrieben und wurde durch seine Bestattung in der Westminster Abbey geehrt.
generatedAt: "2026-06-10T02:34:59.388Z"
