Evolution and Ethics and Other Essays

English scientist and anthropologist Thomas Henry Huxley, was an expert in comparative anatomy. Because of his support of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, he has come to be known as "Darwin's Bulldog". Although some historians believe that the surviving account of Huxley's well-known 1860 Oxford evolution discussion with Samuel Wilberforce is a later fabrication, the debate was a turning point in both his professional life and the broader acceptance of evolution. The day before, Huxley was about to depart Oxford, but he changed his mind and chose to participate in the debate after seeing Vestiges author Robert Chambers. Richard Owen, Wilberforce's coach, and Huxley engaged in an argument concerning the degree of human-ape relatedness. Huxley publicly endorsed Darwin despite being hesitant to embrace some of his theories, such as gradualism and his ambiguity on natural selection. He battled against the more radical interpretations of religious heritage and was crucial in the development of scientific education in Britain.