The historical figure who proposed groundbreaking theories on human evolution is Charles Darwin. His seminal work, "On the Origin of Species," introduced the concept of natural selection, explaining how species adapt and evolve over time. Darwin's theory challenged prevailing notions of fixed species and contributed to our understanding of biological diversity. His extensive observations during his voyage on the HMS Beagle laid the foundation for modern evolutionary biology. Darwin's ideas continue to resonate within both scientific and philosophical discourses on life and its development on Earth.