- On the left Bishop Samuel Wilberforce, fierce opponent of Darwin's theory; he was so eloquent that he had acquired the nickname Soapy Sam (the words came out of his mouth like soap bubbles); he was instructed by Richard Owen, who was also an opponent of Darwin.
- On the right the biologist Professor Thomas Huxley, nicknamed Darwins Buldog. When he had read Darwin's book, he seemed to have said: "I don't understand why I didn't hit upon that idea myself!". He was a fierce, sharp and spirited defender of Darwin's theory.
On the stage the speakers were sitting behind tables. The story about this debate is as follows:
First Bishop Wilberforce gave a speech of half an hour in which he attacked Darwin's theory in no uncertain terms. He was indeed instructed by Owen, but for insiders it was clear that he had not read the book. He had great succes in the audience and therefore he permitted himself a little joke at the end of his speech. He asked Huxley: "Mr. Huxley, if you believe that we all are descended from apes, can you then tell me, wether you are descended from your grandmother's side from the apes, or from your grandfather's side?". Huxley got infuriated, jumped up and overturned his table. He shouted but could not shout down the tumultuous crowd. Little by litthe Huxley calmed down and sat down again.
Some time later, when already four speakers had been silenced by the audience, is was Huxley's turn. He began to tell that the Bishop hadn't read Darwin's book and that he hadn't put forward new arguments. And as for his question in the end: If he, Huxley, had to make a choice between a miserable ape as an ancester, or a man who misused his talents to ridicule an important scientific discussion, he did prefer the ape.
Then pandemonium followed: cheers, exclamations of horror, shouting, laughter and fainting ladies. And in the middle of the room Captain FitzRoy stood protesting with the Bible above his head.
Whether this is really what has happened or not, will never become quite certain: it comes from the report which Huxley himself wrote to Darwin. But this anecdote has certainly played an important role in the acceptation of the evolution theory.
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Thomas
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Samuel Wilberforce
The
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