Charles Darwin lived from 1809 to 1892. In 1831 he embarked on the voyage of the Beagle, en route to South America. He returned in 1836 and in 1839 published his Journal of Researches into the Geology and Natural History of the various countries visited by H.M.S. Beagle. His most famous work, On the Origin of the Species by means of Natural Selection followed some years later in 1859. And thus the world was introduced to "Darwinism", or the scientific theory of evolution by natural selection. The thrust of Darwin's theory of course is the natural process of creation and evolution of animal species, rather than the divine theory of creation. Darwin's belief in "survival of the fittest" has become a popular and widespread cultural notion over the last 100 years, more than occasionally the subject of great controversy and debate. And while the debate continues, Darwin's name and theories maintain a central place in our cultural discourse.