In June 1860, a historic event took place at the annual meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, marking a significant moment in the ongoing conflict between science and religion regarding the theory of evolution. The event featured a renowned debate between the advocate of evolutionary theory, Thomas Huxley, and Bishop Samuel Wilberforce of Oxford.
The meeting, held in Oxford, attracted a large audience and centered around a lecture by John William Draper, a professor at New York University, on the topic of “Intellectual development of Europe and the progress of organisms determined by law.” Draper’s lecture, held at the Museum of Natural History, signified Oxford’s acknowledgment of the importance of natural sciences and sparked heated debates about the evolution of organisms based on unchanging laws.
Draper captivated the audience with his presentation, which was attended by over a thousand people, including influential figures like botanist John Stevens Henslow, who had influenced Darwin in Cambridge. Henslow played a key role in shaping the subsequent discussions.
The highlight of the meeting came when Bishop Samuel Wilberforce took the stage, known for his eloquence. He criticized Darwin’s theory of evolution, arguing that species remained unchanged and evolution could not occur through natural selection. Wilberforce attempted to undermine Huxley by posing a sarcastic question about his supposed descent from a monkey, sparking laughter and approval from the audience.
Not one to shy away from a challenge, Thomas Huxley responded with wit, stating that he would rather have a monkey as an ancestor than someone who used humor to detract from a serious scientific debate. His retort received thunderous applause and became a memorable moment in the history of scientific discourse.