Who established the concept of natural selection?

The concept of natural selection was established by Charles Darwin, who articulated this theory in his seminal work "On the Origin of Species," published in 1859. Darwin proposed that species evolve over time through a process where individuals with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. This idea emphasized the role of environmental pressures in shaping the characteristics of organisms, leading to the survival of the fittest.

In contrast to Darwin, other figures such as Gregor Mendel focused on the principles of heredity and genetic inheritance, while Jean-Baptiste Lamarck proposed an early theory of evolution based on the idea of acquired characteristics being passed down through generations. Louis Pasteur is renowned for his contributions to microbiology and the germ theory of disease, which did not directly relate to the mechanisms of evolution. Each of these individuals made significant contributions to biology, but it was Darwin who specifically described the mechanism of natural selection as a driving force behind evolution.