Who is known for developing the theory of evolution through natural selection?

Charles Darwin is credited with developing the theory of evolution through natural selection, a groundbreaking scientific idea that explains how species evolve over time based on environmental pressures leading to differential survival and reproduction. His observations during the voyage of the HMS Beagle, particularly in the Galápagos Islands, formed the basis of his conclusions about how species adapt to their surroundings. In his seminal work, "On the Origin of Species," published in 1859, Darwin provided evidence and arguments supporting the idea that all species of life have descended from common ancestors and that natural selection is the mechanism driving this process.

The other individuals listed made significant contributions to different fields; for example, Albert Einstein developed the theory of relativity, which is a foundational concept in physics, while Isaac Newton is known for his laws of motion and universal gravitation, which laid the groundwork for classical mechanics. Louis Pasteur is famous for his advancements in microbiology and vaccination, particularly concerning the germ theory of disease. Each of these figures revolutionized their respective fields, but it is Darwin's work that specifically addresses the mechanisms of biological evolution.