Charles Darwin was born in Shrewsbury, England. In 1831 he embarked on a five-year survey voyage around the world on the HMS Beagle ; his studies of specimens led him to formulate his theories. In 1859, he published his landmark book, On the Origin of Species . His impact in the world was such that he is often described as one of the most influential figures in human history. Dr Peter Garratt (introduction) is Associate Professor of English at Durham University. He has written and edited several books on Victorian literature and culture, often focusing on intersections between fiction, philosophy and science, including Victorian Empiricism (2010). His most recent title is Nineteenth-Century British Literature and Philosophy, Vol. II: 1830-72 (forthcoming from Routledge, 2023), co-edited with Giles Whiteley.

Professor Marika Taylor (Series Foreword) is a Professor of Theoretical Physics and Head of School within Mathematical Sciences at the University of Southampton. Her research interests include all aspects of string theory, gravitational physics and quantum field theory. In recent years much of her work has been focused on holographic dualities and their implications. Marika's research has featured in such publications as Physical Review , Journal of High Energy Physics and General Relativity and Gravitation among others.