Darwin and the Voyage of the Beagle

In 1831, not long after Charles Darwin finished his university studies, he was recommended by one of his mentors (John Henslow) for a position on Her Majesty’s Ship (HMS) Beagle, a Royal Navy vessel that was preparing for a survey voyage around the world. Darwin accepted the job of naturalist, and whenever possible during the five-year voyage, he went ashore to study rocks and to observe and collect plants and animals. Overall, Darwin spent three years and three months on land and 18 months at sea. Darwin’s observations during this voyage helped him formulate his theory of evolution by natural selection.