The Origin of Darwinism

On 24th November 1859, Charles Darwin published 'On the Origin of Species'. His master-work laid down the theory of evolution by natural selection. In the century and half since publication, this theory has become firmly entwined with our instinctive view of how the planet's species came to be. It has also caused huge debates about the nature of its interpretation and its relationship to religious faith.


This Guardian Short gathers together the newspaper's most significant contributions to the great Darwin conversation. Diverse writers including Richard Dawkins and Ian McEwan, Tim Radford and Richard Harries explore the reception of 'The Origin', the sources of the theory, Darwin's own grapple with his religious conscience and the ongoing issues surrounding modern Darwinism.


Edited and introduced by the Guardian's, James Randerson, and featuring Darwin's own lyrical prose, 'The Origin of Darwinism' is a unique insight into the world's most influential scientific theory.


The full list of writers featured in this Guardian Short is:


Simon Conway Morris

Charles Darwin

Caroline Davies

Richard Dawkins

Richard Harries

Laurence Hurst

Armand Leroi

Ian McEwan

Kenneth R Miller

Alison Pearn

Justin Quirk

Tim Radford

James Randerson

Nick Spencer

John van Wyh