 A brief account of his visit to the Galápagos Islands brings up the issue of human origins, leading into a discussion of early theories on the formation and age of the earth and evolution.A biographical sketch of Darwin follows, covering his youth, his naturalistic studies on the voyage of the "Beagle" and subsequent life, focusing on his scientific researches and writings.The history of the theory of human evolution as currently understood is then presented, with sections on the work of Mendel, the development of the science of genetics, and the Scopes Trial.