Charles Darwin (February 12, 1809 - April 19, 1882) was an English naturalist best known for his theories of evolution and natural selection. Like all naturalists, Darwin studied plants and animals in their natural environment. He observed, collected and catalogued numerous types of wildlife and various kinds of rocks and fossils. He first studied the plant and animal life in his native England and at the age of 22 embarked on a five year voyage aboard the HMS Beagle. It was this trip that set his ideas in motion. Through observation and research Darwin established the following: 1) all species evolve or change over time; 2) species don't evolve quickly but rather change slowly over millions of years; 3) all life on earth shares a common ancestor; and 4) the organisms that are best suited to their environment survive, reproduce and pass on their traits.