Books

London: John Murray, 1859. First edition. PRESENTATION COPY. First edition, presentation copy, of "the most influential scientific work of the nineteenth century" (Horblit), "the most important biological work ever written" (Freeman), and "a turning point, not only in the history of science, but in the history of ideas in general" (DSB). "Darwin not only drew an entirely new picture of the workings of organic nature; he revolutionized our methods of thinking and our outlook on the natural order of things. The recognition that constant change is the order of the universe had been finally established and a vast step forward in the uniformity of nature had been taken" (PMM). Bern Dibner's Heralds of Science describes On the Origin of Species as "the most important single work in science." When the first edition was published on 24 November 1859, in a print run of 1,250 copies, it created an immediate sensation. Fifty-eight were distributed by Murray for review, promotion, and…

"On the Origin of Species" is a pivotal scientific work by Charles Darwin, published in 1859. In this seminal book, Darwin proposed the theory of evolution through natural selection, reshaping humanity's understanding of the natural world. He presented a comprehensive argument supported by extensive observations and evidence from various fields, discussing the gradual modification of species over time. Darwin's central idea was that all species of organisms evolved from common ancestors and that the mechanism driving this evolution was natural selection. He argued that within populations, organisms exhibit variations, and those better adapted to their environment have a higher chance of surviving and passing on their advantageous traits to future generations. Over successive generations, these advantageous traits accumulate, leading to the divergence of species and the formation of new ones. Darwin drew upon diverse scientific disciplines, including geology, paleontology, embryology, and anatomy, to support his theory. He detailed examples from nature, such as the diversity of finches in the Galápagos Islands and artificial selection in domesticated animals, to illustrate his points. The book triggered widespread debate, challenging prevailing religious and scientific beliefs about the origin and diversity of life. While controversial at the time, "On the Origin of Species" laid the groundwork for modern evolutionary biology. Its profound impact continues to shape scientific inquiry, influencing fields ranging from genetics to ecology and sparking ongoing discussions about life's interconnectedness and the processes that drive biological diversity.

The first edition of Charles Darwin's seminal work, "On the Origin of Species," was published in 1859 by John Murray in London. To identify a first edition of this book, several key points can be considered: The title page should read "On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life." Look for this exact title. The publisher's information on the title page should state "London: John Murray." The first edition had green cloth binding with gilt lettering on the spine. It might also have a blind-stamped border on the covers. The first edition did not have a dust jacket, as these were not common during that time. If a dust jacket is present, it might indicate a later printing or a different edition.