This children’s article, Who was Charles Darwin? A guide for kids, has been written for native English speakers and learners of English as a second or foreign language. It can help children build vocabulary, learn about history and science, and understand how Darwin changed our ideas about the natural world. Written by Mark Pulley, a teacher and writer who creates fun and informative news articles for English learners.
A curious boy from England
Charles Darwin was born in 1809 in Shrewsbury, England. As a child, he loved exploring the countryside, collecting beetles, and studying nature. He wasn’t the best student in school, but he was endlessly curious about animals and plants. His passion for the natural world would eventually lead him to make one of the most important discoveries in science.
Darwin studied medicine at university, but didn’t enjoy it at all. Later, he studied theology (religion) at Cambridge, but what he really enjoyed was meeting other scientists and learning about the natural world.
A big adventure on the Beagle
In 1831, Darwin joined a ship called HMS Beagle on a five-year voyage around the world. The journey took him to South America, the Galápagos Islands, and many other places. Darwin collected thousands of samples of plants, animals, and fossils.
He noticed that the animals on the Galápagos Islands, such as the finches with different-shaped beaks, were similar to those on the mainland but had small differences. These observations made him wonder how species might change over time.
The theory of evolution
After years of research and thought, Darwin came up with the idea of evolution by natural selection. He explained it in his famous book On the Origin of Species, published in 1859. The theory says that species change slowly over generations, and those best adapted to their environment survive and pass on their traits.
This idea was very new and surprising at the time. Some people disagreed with it, but many scientists recognised it as a groundbreaking explanation of how life on Earth developed.
Darwin’s lasting impact
Darwin spent much of his later life at his home, studying plants, worms, and other natural wonders. He died in 1882 and was buried in Westminster Abbey, near other great scientists like Isaac Newton.
Today, Darwin is remembered as the “father of evolution.” His ideas completely changed biology and still influence science today. Whenever you learn about how animals adapt or why species look different, you’re learning about Darwin’s legacy.
Article vocabulary list
- Voyage: a long journey, especially by sea
- Species: a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young together
- Fossil: the remains of a plant or animal preserved in rock
- Adapted: changed to fit or survive in a certain environment
- Evolution: the gradual change of living things over time
- Natural selection: the process where the strongest or best-suited living things survive and reproduce
- Groundbreaking: something very new and important that changes the way people think
- Legacy: what someone is remembered for after they are gone
- Observations: things you notice carefully by looking or studying
- Biology: the science of living things
Comprehension questions
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1. Where was Charles Darwin born?
A) London
B) Shrewsbury
C) Cambridge
Answer: B) Shrewsbury
2. What was the name of the ship Darwin travelled on?
A) HMS Victory
B) HMS Beagle
C) HMS Endeavour
Answer: B) HMS Beagle
3. What animals on the Galápagos Islands helped inspire Darwin’s ideas?
A) Penguins
B) Finches
C) Iguanas
Answer: B) Finches
4. What is Darwin’s most famous book called?
A) The Voyage of the Beagle
B) On the Origin of Species
C) The Natural World
Answer: B) On the Origin of Species
5. Where is Darwin buried?
A) Down House
B) Shrewsbury Cathedral
C) Westminster Abbey
Answer: C) Westminster Abbey
Mark is a writer and EFL teacher from England with eight years’ experience. He’s passionate about travel, sport (especially football), animals, nature, and history, and enjoys helping children explore the world through language and learning.
