The famous naturalist who developed the theory of evolution is Charles Darwin. Born in 1809, Darwin is best known for his groundbreaking work "On the Origin of Species," published in 1859, where he introduced the concept of natural selection as a mechanism for evolution. He proposed that species evolve over time through the survival and reproduction of individuals with favorable traits. Darwin's theory fundamentally changed the way we understand the development of life on Earth, influencing fields such as biology, genetics, and anthropology. His ideas continue to shape scientific inquiry and discussions about evolution and natural history today.