Biological Evolution
Price on evolution is a beautiful informative book that every person interested in markets should read. magnificent summary of the three main stepping stones in Darwin's discovery: Lyell's Geology, voyage of beagle, study of Galápagos.
Here is Price's summary of what Darwin would say: "variation between individuals occurs in all species and is caused by the variability of environments to which a population is exposed - the slight variation that benefits an individual in its struggle for existence enables it to survive longer and reproduce more successfully than others." apply this to markets especially stocks.
Carder Dimitroff writes:
For those interested in historical details, Charles Darwin credited William Charles Wells as one of his precursors in natural selection and biological evolution.
[Wells] distinctly recognises the principle of natural selection, and this is the first recognition which has been indicated.
- Origin of Species, 4th edition
Stefan Jovanovich offers:
Pioneer of Natural Selection: William Charles Wells of Charleston