Just To Annoy Michele Bachmann: Darwin’s “On The Origin Of Species By Means Of Natural Selection,” 152 Years On
Published November 24, 1859: Darwin had formulated his theory of natural selection by 1844, but he was wary to reveal his thesis to the public because it so obviously contradicted the biblical account of creation. In 1858, with Darwin still remaining silent about his findings,the British naturalist Alfred Russel
Wallace independently published a paper that essentially summarized his theory. Darwin and Wallace gave a joint lecture on evolution before the Linnean Society of London in July 1858, and Darwin prepared On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection for publication.
From the frontispiece:
First edition:
