Charles Darwin

The University of Edinburgh’s most famous drop-out needs no introduction. Enrolling to study medicine in 1825, when he was just 16 years old, Charles did not enjoy his studies. He left after two years without graduating. However, while at Edinburgh, Charles was a member of a student natural history group called the Plinian Society. He also spent time with Robert Grant, a marine biologist, assisting him with his studies of the marine life off the coastline near Edinburgh. 

Charles’ work with Robert Grant is considered to have had an influence on his thinking on evolutionary biology. He also wrote his first scientific paper while at Edinburgh, which he presented to the student society.