45 Historical Figures Who Were Misunderstood During Their Lifetime

The father of evolutionary biology, Charles Darwin, had profound apprehensions about unveiling his revolutionary ideas to the world. In the mid-19th century, his theory of natural selection challenged the prevailing religious and scientific orthodoxy that placed humans at the center of creation.

Fearful of the backlash from the deeply religious Victorian society, Darwin postponed the publication of his magnum opus, “On the Origin of Species,” for over two decades. Once released, his works sparked outrage as well as insight, but today, his works are considered visionary.