On the Origin of Species

On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin (1859)

The book that changed everything. Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection overturned centuries of belief about the natural world and humanity's place in it. The most important scientific book ever published.

Historical Significance:
Charles Darwin spent 20 years developing his theory before publishing On the Origin of Species on November 24, 1859. The first edition of 1,250 copies sold out on the first day. Darwin had delayed publication for years, fearing the religious and social backlash — which duly came. Bishop Wilberforce debated Thomas Huxley ("Darwin's Bulldog") at Oxford in 1860 in one of the most famous confrontations in intellectual history. The book did not use the word "evolution" (it appeared only in later editions) and mentioned human evolution only once, obliquely: "Light will be thrown on the origin of man." Despite — or because of — continued controversy, it remains the foundational text of modern biology.

This public domain classic was originally published in 1859. Free to read and share.