This work addresses a significant gap in the literature by exploring advancements in understanding elementary particles, particularly over the last seventy years since the refinement of quantum electrodynamics (QED). The remarkable discoveries in this field have emerged through a collaborative relationship between theory and experimentation. Focusing on theoretical developments, the book highlights the contributions of innovative physicists, positioning their work within the broader context of human knowledge and culture. It draws parallels between these scientific advancements and the transformative ideas of influential figures like Darwin and Shakespeare, who reshaped Western civilization through their contributions to biology and literature. The narrative traces the evolution of particle theory from ancient Greek philosophers like Democritus and Archimedes to the 17th century, when Newton revolutionized our understanding of both terrestrial and celestial bodies through mathematical principles. The book also discusses the "Darwinian evolution" of theoretical physics, where theories compete for survival, akin to biological evolution. While the standard model of particle theory has been repeatedly validated, it is acknowledged that it cannot be the ultimate explanation due to its numerous free parameters. A penultimate chapter addresses unresolved issues in particle theory, followed by a closing chapter featuring 16th and 17t
