He created the theory that has been expounded on by others...evolution is still speculation but provides a more believable aspect to life, and gives you the choice of which you believe is more ridiculous...evolution or creationism.
I'm doing a paper on this for History class and I have some notes jotted down somewhere, I'll find specific names for the branching theory and the common ancestor in a bit...I know animal A has a name that starts with an 's'.
Let me find the thoughts of Darwinists on the deathbed statement in which Darwin supposedly denounces his theories...
http://www.myspace.com/charles_darwin_evolution
Unfortunately, myspace blogs are apparently down for construction, so I'll look for another site debating the authenticity of denouncement.