Who proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection?

The theory of evolution by natural selection was proposed by Charles Darwin, who introduced this concept in his groundbreaking work, "On the Origin of Species," published in 1859. Darwin's theory suggests that organisms best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their advantageous traits to subsequent generations. This process leads to gradual changes in species over time.

By observing variations in species during his voyage on the HMS Beagle, particularly in the Galápagos Islands, Darwin gathered evidence that supported the idea of natural selection as a driving force behind evolution. His contribution greatly changed the understanding of biology and laid the foundation for modern evolutionary science.

Other figures, such as Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton, are renowned for their contributions to physics, while Lamarck, who predated Darwin, is known for his early ideas on evolution, which involved the inheritance of acquired characteristics, but he did not formulate the concept of natural selection.