1. One year after Origin Of Species was published, a fossilised Archaeopteryx, with reptile teeth and bird’s feathers, was found in Germany.

2. On July 1, 1858, Darwin's announcement of his theory was read to the Linnean Society in London, jointly with a paper by fellow scientist Alfred Wallace. Neither men were present at the reading.

3. Darwin was fourth in the top ten 100 Greatest Britons poll of 2002 sponsored by the BBC and voted for by the public. Churchill came first, followed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and Diana, Princess of Wales.

4. In Australia's Northern Territory there is a city, a university and a national park named in honour of Darwin's 1839 visit there.

5. HMS Beagle had a sizeable library available to Darwin — nearly 250 volumes.

6. When Darwin got back the proofs of his book, he was appalled at his bad English and spent several months correcting it.

7. While writing Origin Of Species, Darwin made several visits to Moor Park, a health spa, to cure an assortment of symptoms, including severe vomiting.

8. Darwin’s nickname at school was "Gas", because of his interest in chemistry!

9. The phrase "I'll be a monkey's uncle" was originally a sarcastic remark by a non-believer of Darwin's theory that man is related by a common ancester to apes and monkeys. It expresses disbelief or skepticism at an idea, or surprise when you find something unexpected to be true.

10. Charles Darwin's grandfather was Josiah Wedgewood, the famous potter.