[quote] Charles Darwin proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection in the mid-ninteenth century. [/quote] Ughhh [quote]The idea of evolution of species is found in the writings of men such as ... Lord Monboddo (1714-1799) was perhaps the first to suggest that man is related to chimpanzees. His name was James Burnett. A Scottish judge, he was obviously a scholar and philosopher as well. He is cited by ... Erasmus Darwin (1731-1802) was Charles Darwin's grandfather. He had suggested that "all warm-blooded animals have arisen from one living filament" (Zoönomia). It turns out Darwin's dangerous idea may not have been so original! Jean-Baptiste Lamarck (1744-1829) is perhaps the first well-known name in evolution, being among the first to propose that life in general evolved even from species to species. His name is attached to Lamarckism, the idea that traits developed during a lifetime could be passed to offspring.[/quote] He built upon it, it was already proposed.