Who is credited with developing the theory of evolution?

Charles Darwin is credited with developing the theory of evolution, primarily through his work "On the Origin of Species," published in 1859. In this groundbreaking text, Darwin introduced the concept of natural selection as the mechanism by which evolution occurs, demonstrating that species evolve over time through the survival of individuals that are better adapted to their environments. His observations and studies of various species, especially during his voyage on the HMS Beagle, provided crucial evidence for this theory. This fundamentally changed how we understand the development of life on Earth and laid the foundation for modern biology.

The other figures listed, while pivotal in their own fields, contributed to different scientific disciplines. Albert Einstein is known for his theories on relativity, Isaac Newton for his laws of motion and universal gravitation, and Galileo Galilei is recognized for his advancements in astronomy and physics. Their works did not directly address the biological evolution of species as Darwin's did.