Special Papers on the History of Science - II: The Making of a Geologist- In the Footsteps of Darwin in South America

Abstract

Almost everyone is acquainted with the name of Charles Darwin, and is aware of his enormous contributions to the life sciences. These resulted, in large measure, from his experiences during the five years he served as naturalist on HMS Beagle during its long voyage around the world. Not so well known, however, are his considerable geological contribution, set forward in his "Journal of Researches into the Geology and Natural History of the Various Countries Visited by the Beagle" (1839), in his "Structure and Distribution of Coral Reefs" (1842), and his "Geological Observations on South America" (1846).