Final answer:
Charles Darwin initially studied medicine but switched to learning taxidermy. His mentor, John Edmonstone, influenced his understanding of the natural world, which informed his later work in biology.
Step-by-step explanation:
Charles Darwin's educational background included studying to become a medical doctor at the University of Edinburgh. However, he decided to pursue a different path and learned taxidermy instead. He was mentored by John Edmonstone, a former slave who had extensive knowledge of the flora and fauna of South America. This experience, along with Darwin's later voyage on the Beagle, greatly influenced his work in biology.