On the Origin of Species By Means of Natural Selection
- First published
- 1859
- Reading level
- Fairly demanding
- Price
- Free
About the book
"On the Origin of Species By Means of Natural Selection" by Charles Darwin is a work of scientific literature published in 1859. It introduced the theory that populations evolve through natural selection, with life's diversity arising from common descent through a branching pattern of evolution. Darwin presented evidence from his Beagle expedition and years of research to challenge the belief that species were unchanging. The book sparked intense scientific, philosophical, and religious debate, ultimately transforming our understanding of life and becoming the foundation of evolutionary biology.
- Evolution (Biology)
- Natural selection
Updated September 2026. Public domain in the USA. Text and summary from Project Gutenberg eBook #1228. On the Origin of Species By Means of Natural Selection on Wikipedia.
More free books by Charles Darwin
About Charles DarwinLife and Letters of Charles Darwin — Volume 1
More Letters of Charles Darwin — Volume 1
The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection
The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex
The Voyage of the Beagle
The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals
The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex, Vol. I
The Variation of Animals and Plants Under Domestication, Vol. I.
The Variation of Animals and Plants Under Domestication, Volume II (of 2)
The Foundations of the Origin of Species
The Autobiography of Charles Darwin
Journal of Researches into the Natural History and Geology of the Countries Visited During the Voyage Round the World of H.M.S. Beagle Under the Command of Captain Fitz Roy, R.N.
