Published in 1859, The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin introduced the theory of natural selection to a newly-receptive public. As a young naturalist on the second voyage of HMS Beagle (1831-36), Darwin collected many plant and animal specimens, and it was his close examination of them that eventually led to his theories on evolution and natural selection.The theory of evolution was quickly accepted by the scientific communityThe Origin of Species heavily influenced the secularization of sci ...