Final answer:
In 1859, Charles Darwin published 'On the Origin of Species,' presenting the Theory of Evolution through natural selection. His work, strengthened by his observations from the Galápagos Islands, revolutionized our understanding of biological diversity and species adaptation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Charles Darwin, a noted British naturalist, is widely credited for proposing the Theory of Evolution through the mechanism of natural selection. He formally introduced his groundbreaking ideas in 1859 with the publication of his seminal work, On the Origin of Species. This work articulated how species evolve over time due to natural selection, where those with advantageous traits have a better chance of surviving and reproducing, thus passing on these traits to future generations.
The concept of evolution predates Darwin, with ancient philosophers like Aristotle contemplating the idea. However, it was Darwin who amassed substantial evidence during his travels, notably from the Galápagos Islands, which supported the theory cognitively and scientifically. His detailed observations demonstrated that species adapt distinctively to their respective environments.
In 1858, one year prior to his book's release, Darwin and fellow naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace presented papers on natural selection to the Linnean Society in London, thereby laying the foundation for Darwin's comprehensive presentation in On the Origin of Species. The theory has since been a cornerstone of biological science, despite initial controversy and opposition from certain religious circles at the time.