"On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection" by Charles Darwin is a work of scientific literature published in 1859. This foundational text introduced the theory that populations evolve through natural selection, presenting evidence that life's diversity arose from common descent through branching evolution. Drawing on Darwin's research and Beagle expedition findings, the book challenged prevailing beliefs about unchanging species and humanity's unique place in nature, sparking intense scientific, philosophical, and religious debate that transformed biology forever.
Project Gutenberg has several editions of this eBook: #1228 (1859, 1st Edition, HTML file with table of contents) #22764 (1860, HTML file with table of contents) #2009 (6th Ed., HTML, definitive edition) Wikipedia page about this book: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_the_Origin_of_Species