The major works of Charles Darwin
The great English naturalist Charles Darwin (1809-1882) revolutionized our understanding of life on earth. This site is the only place in the world with all of his works and most of his private papers.
Click the finch icons 
to see all of its illustrations or maps in each work.
This page provides only the major works, for a complete list of Darwin's writings see Publications and Manuscripts.
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Journal of researches into the natural history and geology of the countries visited during the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle. 2d edition. 1845. This is Darwin's classic account describing his travels and discoveries during the five-year Beagle voyage (often called 'Voyage of the Beagle'). 'Nothing can be more improving to a young naturalist, than a journey in a distant country' 'The natural history of these islands is eminently curious, and well deserves attention...we seem to be brought somewhere near to that great fact—that mystery of mysteries—the first appearance of new beings on this earth.' |
Galapagos iguana
Galapagos finches |
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On the origin of species. 1859. Darwin's most famous work, and one of the most important ever written. It revolutionized our understanding of life on earth. Darwin brings together many kinds of evidence and arguments to show that living things change over time and that they are related to one another genealogically. 'When the views entertained in this volume on the origin of species, or when analogous views are generally admitted, we can dimly forsee that there will be a considerable revolution in natural history.' 'It may be said that natural selection is daily and hourly scrutinising, throughout the world, every variation, even the slightest; rejecting that which is bad, preserving and adding up all that is good; silently and insensibly working' |
Diagram from the Origin of Species depicting branching descent with modification. |
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The descent of man. 1871. In this work Darwin demonstrates that the difference between mankind and animals is not one of kind, but of degree, and that humans are descended from earlier species- like all life on Earth. He also argues that sexual selection explains human racial differences. 'The early progenitors of man were no doubt once covered with hair, both sexes having beards; their ears were pointed and capable of movement; and their bodies were provided with a tail…and were arboreal in their habits' |
Fig. 1. Upper figure human embryo, from Ecker. Lower figure that of a dog, from Bischoff. |
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The expression of the emotions in man and animals. 1872. In this highly original and illustrated work, Darwin demonstrated the outstanding parallels in the way humans and animals express emotions. |
Plate II. from Expression |
Other writings available only in Darwin Online |
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The autobiography of Charles Darwin 1809-1882. With the original omissions restored. 1958. The most charming account of Darwin's life, written for his family. |
'my love of natural science has been steady and ardent. This pure love has, however, been much aided by the ambition to be esteemed by my fellow naturalists.' |
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Darwin's Beagle Diary (1831-1836) Text This is the original diary Darwin kept on the Beagle and later used to write Voyage of the Beagle. |
'Nothing can be more beautiful than the view from our present anchorage...' |
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Darwin's 'Journal'. Introduction Text Darwin's daily diary of his life and work. |
'In July opened first note Book on "transmutation of Species". — Had been greatly struck from about month of previous March on character of S. American fossils—& species on Galapagos Archipelago. — These facts origin (especially latter) of all my views.' |
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Darwin's 'Things for a week' (5.1859). Introduction Text Darwin's list of all the things he would need to take with him on holiday, all the way down to his tooth brush. |
'Cigars. Spare Watch & Spectacles. Book to read. (Watch stand)' |
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Emma Darwin's Diaries (1824-1896) Introduction There are sixty diaries covering the years most of her life. Emma recorded many events such as visits and visitors, dinners and the health of her family, including her husband Darwin. These were transcribed and published here for the first time. |
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A virtual bookshelf of the works of Charles Darwin
See also: Illustrations in Darwin Online.
For a comprehensive list of the materials available on this website see Publications and Manuscripts or Advanced search.
Some important reference works for looking up almost any aspect of Darwin's life and work:
Freeman, R. B. 2007. Charles Darwin: A companion. 2nd online edn. Text
van Wyhe ed. Darwin: A companion. Building on the work of R. B. Freeman. With iconographies by John van Wyhe. WSP, 2021. Amazon.com (Kindle), Amazon.co.uk (Kindle), in Singapore.
Ghiselin, M. 2009. Darwin: A reader's guide. Text PDF
