Ann P. answered 05/07/21
Experienced. Patient. Fun! How can I help?
Hello,
Charles Darwin's 1859 publishing of On the Origin of Species is widely accepted as one of the first recorded concepts of evolution that was proven via natural selection through his work on the Galapagos Islands.
However, the earliest date I could find, around 1835, a French biologist spoke of evolution using the term "transformism." (Sloan, 2019).
Before 1860 evolution was unanimously thought of in terms of embryonic development. According to Sloan (2019), the English philospher Herbert Spencer used the terms "homogeniety" and "heterogeneity" as early as 1852.
You can find more information about evolution before Darwin's time by visiting the sources mentioned below.
I hope that helps!
Sincerely,
Ann
Sources
Sloan, P. (2019, June 17). Evolutionary Thougth Before Darwin. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosphy. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/evolution-before-darwin/
Sloan, P. (2019, June 17). Darwin: From Origin of Species to Descent of Man. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosphy. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/origin-descent/