Final answer:
The given statement "The birth of modern oceanography is often taken as having started with a famous late 19th century expedition" is True. This expedition was the HMS Challenger expedition, which ranged from 1872 to 1876 and was one of the first to systematically study ocean floors and marine life, laying the groundwork for modern marine science.
Step-by-step explanation:
Although this answer focuses on the realm of oceanography, it is important to note that there were many other scientific breakthroughs during the same period in natural history, biology, and geography that contributed to our understanding of the Earth, such as Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift and Charles Lyell's work in geology. The era of European Exploration from the 15th to 18th centuries also played a crucial role in shaping global connections and the beginnings of globalization, which would indirectly influence the development of oceanography by broadening human knowledge concerning the extent and diversity of the oceans.