In which English town was Charles Darwin born in 1809?
Answer
Shrewsbury
80 Charles Darwin Trivia Questions with Answers
80 public questions with answers, drawn from the well. How many can you answer?
Charles Darwin trivia examines the life and work of the naturalist whose theory of evolution by natural selection transformed modern biology. Questions move from his birthplace in Shrewsbury and his voyage on HMS Beagle to the Fuegian passengers, his personal servant, Galápagos specimens, and the specialists who helped identify them.
The hub also covers Darwin’s marriage to Emma Wedgwood, his later books, the phrase “survival of the fittest,” his extensive barnacle research, and academic recognition such as an honorary LL.D. It is designed for science classrooms, history-of-science lessons, pub quizzes, and curious players who want more than the familiar headline about evolution.
What was the name of Charles Darwin's personal servant on the HMS Beagle?
Answer
Syms Covington
Which university awarded Charles Darwin an honorary LL.D in 1877?
Answer
University of Cambridge
On what exact date did Charles Darwin marry Emma Wedgwood?
Answer
29 January 1839
What was the title of Charles Darwin's 1880 book on plant movement?
Answer
The Power of Movement in Plants
On which British banknote did Charles Darwin's portrait appear?
Answer
£10 note
Which geological principle, championed by Lyell, influenced Darwin's thinking?
Answer
Uniformitarianism
What theory did Darwin propose to explain coral reef formation?
Answer
Subsidence theory
Approximately how many miles did the HMS Beagle travel during its voyage?
Answer
40,000 miles
What was the name of the Chilean volcano that Darwin witnessed erupting in 1835?
Answer
Mount Osorno
Which geologist friend of Darwin helped arrange the joint presentation with Wallace?
Answer
Charles Lyell
What mechanism did Darwin propose in 'The Descent of Man' as key to human evolution?
Answer
Sexual selection
Who co-discovered natural selection with Charles Darwin?
Answer
Alfred Russel Wallace
At which university did Charles Darwin earn his undergraduate degree?
Answer
University of Cambridge
On which Galápagos island did Charles Darwin first land in 1835?
Answer
San Cristóbal Island
What was the name of the path at Down House where Darwin took daily walks?
Answer
the Sandwalk
What was the title of Darwin's 1846 book on the geology of South America?
Answer
Geological Observations on South America
What was the name of Charles Darwin's youngest child who died in infancy?
Answer
Charles Waring Darwin
Which of Charles Darwin's sons became a prominent botanist?
Answer
Francis Darwin
What was the subject of Charles Darwin's last book, published in 1881?
Answer
earthworms
What was the title of Charles Darwin's 1868 book on domesticated plants and animals?
Answer
The Variation of Animals and Plants Under Domestication
What was the name of the school Charles Darwin attended as a child in Shrewsbury?
Answer
Shrewsbury School
Who was Charles Darwin's maternal grandfather?
Answer
Josiah Wedgwood
What phrase did Darwin use to describe the process of species change instead of 'evolution'?
Answer
descent with modification
Which of Darwin's daughters died at age 10?
Answer
Anne Darwin
What was the title of Darwin's 1862 book on orchid fertilization?
Answer
Fertilisation of Orchids
Which atoll did Darwin study to support his theory of coral reef formation?
Answer
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
What medal did the Royal Society award Darwin in 1864?
Answer
Copley Medal
What type of plants did Darwin study in his 1875 book?
Answer
Insectivorous plants
How many years did the HMS Beagle voyage last?
Answer
5 years
At which university did Charles Darwin study medicine?
Answer
University of Edinburgh
Charles Darwin trivia — quick answers
What are good Charles Darwin trivia questions?
Good Charles Darwin trivia questions cover his childhood, education, HMS Beagle voyage, family, scientific publications, and the development of evolutionary theory. Examples include identifying his birthplace, naming a Fuegian passenger, recalling when he used “survival of the fittest,” or asking about his barnacle studies.
How hard is Charles Darwin trivia?
Charles Darwin trivia ranges from easy to advanced. Most players know his connection with evolution and the HMS Beagle, while more difficult questions involve exact dates, Darwin’s assistants and specimens, his barnacle monographs, university honors, and the scientists who helped interpret his Galápagos collections.
Where was Charles Darwin born?
Charles Darwin was born in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England, on February 12, 1809. He grew up at The Mount, the Darwin family home, before studying at the University of Edinburgh and Christ’s College, Cambridge. His early interests in natural history later developed into the work that established his scientific reputation.
What was the name of Darwin’s voyage ship?
Darwin traveled around the world as a young naturalist aboard HMS Beagle. The voyage lasted from 1831 to 1836 and included visits to South America, the Galápagos Islands, Australia, and other regions. Observations and specimens gathered during the expedition became important foundations for his later scientific thinking.
When did Darwin first use the phrase “survival of the fittest”?
Charles Darwin first incorporated the phrase “survival of the fittest” into the fifth edition of On the Origin of Species, published in 1869. The wording was coined by philosopher Herbert Spencer. Darwin used it as a concise description of how favorable variations can be preserved through natural selection.