Charles Darwin was the famous British scientist who developed the theory of natural selection. His seminal work, "On the Origin of Species," published in 1859, presented extensive evidence from various fields, including geology and embryology, to argue that species evolve over time through a process of natural selection. According to Darwin, individuals with traits better suited to their environments are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those advantageous traits to the next generation. This theory revolutionized the understanding of biology and provided a scientific framework for the development of species, influencing numerous disciplines beyond biology.