
1 Darwin Not First Evolutionist
While Darwin was working on his theory of evolution, another scientist independently arrived at the same conclusions. Darwin, then, was not the first to study evolution.
(Darwin publishes outline of “Origin of Species” July 1, 1858.)
Read from Darwin‘s ORIGIN OF SPECIES Vol. 11, pp. 5–17
Author | Works |
Buffon | |
Lamarck (Jean-Baptiste) | Philosophie Zoologique |
Hist. Nat. des Animaux sans Vertebres | |
Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire | Life |
Patrick Matthew | Naval Timber and Arboriculture |
Robert Chambers | Vestiges of Creation |
Richard Owen | The Nature of Limbs |
Baden Powell | Philosophy of Creation |
Prior belief species were immutable
Lamarck observed difficulty in distinguishing species and varieties // perfect gradation of forms in certain groups. Attributed to direct action of life conditions
Geoffroy – condition of life or “monde ambiant” // belief that species stopped evolving

Professor Grant (1826) Edinburgh Philosophical Journal vol. xiv. p. 283
https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/206960#page/317/mode/1up