Darwin, Charles

Charles Darwin (1809–1882) is undoubtedly one of the most celebrated scientists in the modern western consciousness. His contribution to the scientific orthodoxy of the life sciences in the 20th and present centuries is unrivalled. Darwin’s name has been appealed to by many scholars of developmental psychology and educationalists since his theories on descent with modification were first announced in 1859. This entry examines Darwin’s contributions to childhood studies, specifically his theories on competition and growth, as well as some critiques of Darwin’s evolutionary approach. The entry concludes with an examination of Darwin’s specific impact on the field of developmental psychology.