On Thursday, the Royal Mail announced that it would issue ten stamps that commemorate the 200th birthday of the natural scientist Charles Darwin, born on February 12, 1809 in Shrewsbury.

The ten stamps depict the British scientist’s impressive work in various areas of biology, geology, botany, zoology, ornithology and anthropology. The Royal Mail will commemorate the event on Thursday in Shrewsbury.

A representative at the Royal Mail pointed out that the stamps have a jigsaw shape, revealing the way in which Charles Darwin managed to discover various aspects of life and unify them into complex theory. His studies blended in one of humankind’s most important idea of its own origins through the evolution theory.

The Royal Mail will also issue a full size sheet consisting of four stamps. Together, the four stamps depict the Galapagos Islands and the various species of animals that Charles Darwin studied in the 1830s, prior to the release of his book On the Origin of Species.

The authorities in Shrewsbury are also planning to commemorate the birth of the greatest British naturalist. On Thursday afternoon, the officials will blow up a cake in The Square. There will be other events that celebrate Darwin’s anniversary too, such as a toast at the Morris Hall. A birthday party will also take place in the town, celebrating all the children in Shrewsbury that were born on February 12.

Charles Darwin was a British naturalist, born on February 12, 1809 and died on April 19, 1882. Darwin’s works concentrate on the theory of evolution, which was described in detail in his book On the Origin of Species. His theory states that all living organisms have evolved from a common form of life, called an ancestor. Darwin based his evolution theory on the concept of the survival of the fittest. This way, the most powerful and the most adapted individuals of a species are the most likely to live longer and hence, transmit their genetic material to their successors.

According to the British naturalist, the differences between individuals are caused by minor mutations of the genetic material. This natural organization of life means that the better the genes of an individual are, the more chances it has to spread his genes to his descendants. This means that individuals that are weak and are not adaptable enough are more likely to live shorter.

It seems that Darwin started to think about the evolution theory back in the late 1830s, after he had studied different species of animals and plants in the Galapagos Islands. However, due to the strong influence of religion in the society, Darwin hesitated to begin a controversy on the matter of the origin of Earth and humanity. Still, as another biologist, Alfred Wallace, was on his way to publish the same theory, Darwin chose to publish his own book, On the Origin Of species in 1859.