What Happened After Theory of Evolution Was Published

Summary

Charles Darwin's 'On the Origin of Species' sparked controversy and debate upon its 1859 publication, challenging creationism with the theory of evolution by natural selection. Darwin's findings from the Galapagos Islands were pivotal, and despite initial resistance, his ideas spread rapidly, gaining both religious and scientific critics. Key allies like Thomas Huxley bolstered Darwin's stance, while figures like Samuel Wilberforce and Richard Owen fiercely opposed it. The theory's impact on science and society was profound, shaping our understanding of life's development.

Takeaways

• 📚 Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution is one of the most influential and controversial scientific theories, challenging the belief in divine creation.
• 🌏 Darwin's 'On the Origin of Species' was first published in 1859, proposing natural selection as the process through which species evolve.
• 🐦 Darwin's ideas were solidified during his visit to the Galapagos Islands, where he observed evidence of evolution in action.
• 🔥 The first print run of 'On the Origin of Species' sold out quickly, indicating a high demand and interest in Darwin's theory.
• 🔄 Darwin made swift revisions for the second edition of his book, which was published in January 1860, to address initial criticisms and feedback.
• 🤝 Darwin gained key allies such as Charles Lyell, Joseph Dalton Hooker, and Thomas Huxley, who supported his theory to varying degrees.
• 📝 Early reactions to Darwin's theory were mixed, with some like Charles Kingsley praising it, while others like John Leifchild vehemently opposed it.
• 🌐 The theory of evolution spread to the United States by early 1860, where it garnered both support and criticism.
• 🦴 Debates on evolution often focused on the idea that humans evolved from apes, a concept that remains controversial to some even today.
• 🏛 The theory of evolution sparked theological debates, with some viewing it as a direct challenge to religious beliefs and intelligent design.
• 🎓 Darwin's former teachers and the船长 of the HMS Beagle had differing views on his theory, reflecting the broader societal divide.
• 🏛️ The Catholic Church did not officially address the theory of evolution until decades later, with early noncommittal opinions suggesting opposition to the idea.

Q & A

What is the significance of Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution in the history of science?

Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution is significant as it proposed a natural process for the development of species, challenging the idea of divine creation and sparking widespread debate and controversy in the Western world.

In what year was Darwin's book 'On the Origin of Species' first published?

Darwin's book 'On the Origin of Species' was first published in 1859.

What is the concept of natural selection as proposed by Darwin?

Natural selection is a process where organisms that are better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring, leading to gradual changes in species over generations.

Where did Darwin's idea of evolution solidify?

Darwin's idea of evolution solidified during his visit to the Galapagos Islands, where he observed the effects of evolution in action.

How many copies were in the first print run of 'On the Origin of Species', and what happened to them?

The first print run of 'On the Origin of Species' included 1,250 copies, which sold out almost immediately.

What did Darwin do after the first edition of his book was published?

After the first edition was published, Darwin quickly set out to make corrections and revisions in preparation for the second edition, which was printed in January 1860.

Who were the three close allies that Charles Darwin gained to support his theory?

Darwin's three close allies were Charles Lyell, a geologist; Joseph Dalton Hooker, a botanist; and Thomas Huxley, a naturalist who became Darwin's most virulent supporter.

What was the reaction of Charles Kingsley, a prominent Christian novelist, to Darwin's theory?

Charles Kingsley, despite his religious beliefs, praised Darwin's theory in a letter, stating that if Darwin was right, he would have to give up much of what he had believed.

How did the first official review of 'On the Origin of Species' affect Darwin?

The first official review, published anonymously by John Leifchild, was harshly critical, taking offense to the idea that humans had evolved from apes, which was a criticism that some opponents of evolution still use today.

What was the role of Harriet Martineau in spreading the word about Darwin's book?

Harriet Martineau, an influential British writer and the first female sociologist, was enamored with Darwin's book and spread praise for it far and wide, contributing to its notability.

How did the publication of 'On the Origin of Species' impact the scientific and religious communities?

The publication led to a theological battle, with some religious individuals perceiving Darwin's theory as an attack on their beliefs, while scientific supporters, like Thomas Huxley, prepared for debates and discussions on the theory's validity.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Publication and Impact of Darwin's Theory of Evolution

Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution, introduced in 'On the Origin of Species', sparked controversy and interest. Initially available in a limited print run, the book quickly sold out, prompting a second edition with revisions. Darwin's concept of natural selection was inspired by his observations in the Galapagos Islands. Despite the controversy, he gained influential allies like Charles Lyell, Joseph Dalton Hooker, and Thomas Huxley. Early reactions varied, with some like Charles Kingsley praising the theory, while others, like John Leifchild, vehemently opposed it. The theory's popularity grew, spreading to the United States and beyond, with Darwin's brother Erasmus and Harriet Martineau helping to disseminate it. Debates on evolution and religion ensued, with supporters like Huxley gearing up for discussions, while opponents questioned Darwin's challenge to God's creation.

05:00

🤔 Darwin's Personal Struggle with Evolution and Religion

Darwin's theory of evolution presented a challenge to both scientific and religious beliefs of his time. Despite being religious himself and initially believing in a creationist worldview, Darwin's observations led him to reject the idea of intelligent design. He privately confided his changing beliefs to Charles Lyell, likening the predetermination of evolution to an author writing unnecessary drafts. Darwin's theory, while foundational, had its flaws, particularly in correlating the geologic time scale with the evolution process. His stance evolved over the editions of 'On the Origin of Species', reflecting the scientific and societal debates of the time. Public figures, including his former teachers and the船长 of the HMS Beagle, held varying opinions on Darwin's work, with some supporting and others vehemently opposing the theory. The Catholic Church and other religious institutions also expressed their reservations, setting the stage for significant academic and theological debates.

10:02

🗣️ The Great Debates and the Enduring Legacy of Evolution

The theory of evolution ignited passionate debates, particularly between Darwin's supporters and detractors. Notable figures like Thomas Huxley and Richard Owen engaged in public disputes, with Huxley defending the theory against creationist arguments. The famous debate at Oxford in June 1860, which Darwin could not attend due to illness, was a pivotal moment where Huxley faced off against Samuel Wilberforce. While both sides claimed victory, history suggests Huxley had the stronger argument. The public discourse extended beyond academic circles, involving figures like Robert Fitzroy, who became a vocal opponent of evolution, tragically affecting his life. The debates and discussions surrounding Darwin's theory have continued to shape scientific thought and challenge traditional beliefs, solidifying the theory's place in the scientific canon and cultural discourse.

Keywords

💡Theory of Evolution

The Theory of Evolution is a fundamental concept in biology, proposed by Charles Darwin, which suggests that species evolve over time through a process of natural selection. In the video, this theory is central as it discusses Darwin's groundbreaking work and the controversy it sparked, particularly with the idea that living things evolve rather than being created by a deity.

💡Natural Selection

Natural Selection is the key mechanism of evolution, where organisms with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, thus passing those advantageous traits to their offspring. The script mentions Darwin's theory of natural selection as the process that led to the current state of all living creatures, illustrating the concept with the example of his observations in the Galapagos Islands.

💡On the Origin of Species

On the Origin of Species is the seminal work by Charles Darwin, first published in 1859, which laid out the theory of evolution by natural selection. The video describes the initial print run selling out quickly and the subsequent editions that Darwin revised to address criticisms and further explain his theory.

💡Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands are a group of volcanic islands known for their unique wildlife and played a pivotal role in Darwin's development of the theory of evolution. The video script notes that Darwin's visit to these islands solidified his ideas on evolution, as he observed the diversity of species there.

💡Charles Lyell

Charles Lyell was a geologist and one of Darwin's close allies, who supported Darwin's theory of evolution. The script mentions Lyell as one of the individuals Darwin shared his findings with in hopes of gaining allies before the publication of 'On the Origin of Species'.

💡Thomas Huxley

Thomas Huxley was a naturalist and a strong supporter of Darwin's theory, often referred to as 'Darwin's Bulldog' for his vigorous defense of evolution. The video recounts Huxley's role in debates and his influence in promoting the acceptance of the theory of evolution.

💡Intelligent Design

Intelligent Design is the belief that the complexity and diversity of life are best explained by an intelligent cause, rather than natural processes. The script explains that Darwin's research led him to question and ultimately reject the idea of intelligent design, which was a significant departure from the prevailing beliefs of his time.

💡Creationism

Creationism is the religious belief in the direct creation of the universe and life by a deity, typically as described in religious texts. The video discusses how Darwin's theory of evolution was seen by some as a direct challenge to creationism, leading to significant controversy and debate.

💡Geologic Time Scale

The Geologic Time Scale refers to the system of measurement used by geologists and paleontologists to describe the timing and relationships among events that have occurred during Earth's history. The script notes Darwin's struggle to apply the concept of deep time (an old Earth) to his theory, which was a contentious issue in his day.

💡Harriet Martineau

Harriet Martineau was an influential British writer and the first female sociologist, known for her ability to popularize new ideas. The video mentions Martineau as an admirer of Darwin's book, who helped spread its ideas, highlighting her role in the dissemination of the theory of evolution.

💡Oxford Debate

The Oxford Debate of 1860 was a significant event in the history of the theory of evolution, where key figures like Thomas Huxley and Samuel Wilberforce discussed and debated Darwin's ideas. The video script describes this event as a pivotal moment in the public reception of the theory, showcasing the intellectual conflict between supporters and detractors of evolution.

Highlights

Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution is one of the most famous and controversial scientific theories.

Darwin's theory challenged the idea of divine creation, causing a stir in the Western world.

The theory was first published in 1859 in 'On the Origin of Species'.

Natural selection is the process by which species adapt over millions of years.

Darwin's ideas were solidified during his trip to the Galapagos Islands.

The first print run of 'On the Origin of Species' sold out almost immediately.

Darwin quickly prepared a second edition with corrections in January 1860.

Darwin shared his findings with select individuals to gain allies before the controversy erupted.

Charles Lyell, Joseph Dalton Hooker, and Thomas Huxley were among Darwin's close allies.

Charles Kingsley, a Christian novelist, praised Darwin's theory despite his religious beliefs.

The first official review was harsh, criticizing the idea of human evolution from apes.

Darwin's theory spread to the United States by early 1860.

Darwin's brother, Erasmus, and Harriet Martineau helped spread the word of his theory.

Theological battle lines were drawn as opinions on Darwin's theory began pouring in.

Darwin never intended to challenge religion, but his theory was perceived as such by some.

Thomas Huxley was a prominent supporter of Darwin, known as his 'bulldog'.

Darwin's ideas went viral, becoming a popular topic of discussion despite the lack of social media.

Lord Palmerston and Prince Albert supported Darwin's nomination for a knighthood, which was opposed by the Queen's advisors.

Darwin's research led him to question and ultimately reject the idea of intelligent design.

Darwin struggled with applying a geologic time scale to his theory in the early editions of his book.

Darwin's allies helped promote his theory, including William Carpenter and Thomas Huxley.

Some of Darwin's former teachers had mixed reactions to his theory, with some denouncing and others praising it.

Robert Fitzroy, the Captain of the HMS Beagle, became a vocal opponent of Darwin's theory.

The Catholic Church did not make an official statement on evolution until decades later.

A major debate between supporters and detractors of Darwin's theory took place in Oxford in June 1860.

Thomas Huxley and Samuel Wilberforce had a notable debate, with Huxley seemingly having the stronger argument.

Darwin's theory has become the most probable and elegant explanation for the development of life on Earth.

Transcripts

Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution

is perhaps the most famous and controversial scientific theory

ever developed.

Declaring that living things had been crafted

by a natural process instead of being personally created

by the Christian God caused a bit of a stir

in the Western world.

So today, we're going to take a look

at what actually happened right after The Theory of Evolution

was published.

But before we get started, be sure to subscribe

to the Weird History channel.

After that, please leave a comment

and let us know what scientific topics

you would like to hear about.

OK, you say you want a video on evolution.

Well, you know, we all want to change the world.

First published in 1859 in a book titled

On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection,

or, The Preservation of Favored Races in the Struggle for Life,

Darwin's Theory of Evolution proposed that human beings,

and all living creatures, for that matter,

had arrived at the current state through a process called

natural selection, which is the result of millions

of years of adaptation.

Darwin found his idea solidified went

on a trip to the Galapagos Islands

where evolution had run rampant.

And he later put those thoughts into words

that almost anyone could understand.

The first print run of On the Origin of Species

included just 1,250 copies, but they sold out

almost immediately.

Darwin knew that he had a hit on his hands,

so he quickly set out to make some corrections

to the work in preparation for the second edition.

Even though the first edition came out in November of 1859,

he was able to get the revisions done lightning fast in time

for the second printing in January of 1860.

Demand was still high, and a third edition

would not be far behind.

More than 20 years elapsed between Charles Darwin's voyage

to the Galapagos and the publication of his book.

Darwin knew that the publication On the Origin of Species

was likely to cause a bit of a firestorm,

so in order to get out ahead of the controversy,

he began sharing his findings with select individuals

in hopes of courting allies and supporters who

could stand by him when you know what hit the fan.

Ultimately, Darwin gained three close allies

who would go on to support him to varying

degrees in the coming years, Charles Lyell, a geologist,

Joseph Dalton Hooker, a botanist, and Thomas Huxley,

a naturalist who had become Darwin's most virulent

supporter.

One of the first people to read On the Origin of Species

was Charles Kingsley, a prominent Christian novelist.

Despite his religious beliefs, Kingsley

sent Darwin a letter praising his theory,

saying that, "if you be right, I must give

up much that I have believed."

If Darwin felt any relief due to this reaction,

it was probably short lived, because other early reviewers

were considerably less kind.

The first official review was published anonymously

by John Leifchild, who took incredible offense to the idea

that humans had evolved from apes.

This first criticism thrown at Darwin

is the same one that some opponents of evolution

still throw around to this day.

Despite the harsh review, On the Origin of Species

became so notable that word of it soon spread overseas.

People in the United States of America

were soon demanding the book, and copies finally

arrived there by early 1860.

One of the individuals who helped

to spread the word of Darwin was his brother, Erasmus.

Darwin's sibling was also formerly a close friend

of Harriet Martineau, an extremely influential

British writer known as the first female sociologist.

Martineau was enamored with the book,

and she too spread praise for it far and wide,

stating that it took her breath away.

Soon, reviews and opinions of On the Origin of Species

began pouring in, and theological battle lines

were drawn.

Darwin's intention was never to directly challenge religion,

but many took it that way.

People opined things like, why does Darwin

feel the need to question God?

And, is the theory of intelligent design not good

enough for him?

To some religious types, the very notion

that Darwin had beliefs that clashed with their own

was an inherent attack on their Christianity.

On the other side of the divide, supporters of Darwin

readied themselves for the coming debates,

including Thomas Huxley, who deemed

himself Darwin's bulldog.

There was no such thing as internet social media yet,

but Charles Darwin's ideas still went viral,

and he became really popular, really fast.

Whether you agreed or disagreed with his incendiary theory,

everyone was talking about Darwin.

One of his biggest fans was the prime minister,

Lord Palmerston, who was so taken

he submitted Darwin's name to Queen

Victoria as a possible candidate for knighthood,

less than a year after the publication

On the Origin of Species.

Prince Albert also supported the idea,

but the Queen's ecclesiastical advisors put the kibosh on that

right away.

There has since been a movement to Grant Darwin

his knighthood posthumously.

But even today, long after the theory of evolution

has been widely accepted in our scientific circles

and revolutionized our ideas about biology,

it hasn't happened yet.

Although Charles Darwin never intended to directly challenge

the church, he found that his own beliefs were heavily

challenged by his own research.

Darwin was religious, and he even partially

believed in a creationist worldview.

But it just didn't jive with what he had observed in nature.

Privately, Darwin decided that he no longer

believed in what would be coined in 1910 as intelligent design.

He confided in Charles Lyell that if predetermination

of providential planning were behind evolution, then

the entire process would be superfluous.

It would be like an author writing

many drafts of a manuscript even though he already

knew exactly what the final version would look like.

Thus, in Darwin's mind, predetermination

must not exist.

While Charles Darwin's theory of evolution

was fairly solid from the beginning

and remains the backbone of our modern understanding

of evolution, his theorizing certainly wasn't flawless.

In particular, Darwin struggled when

it came to applying a geologic time scale to his ideas

about the origin of life.

In his first edition, Darwin attempted

to demonstrate how much time evolution would

have had to work with by repeating

the claims of other scientists that the Earth was

over 300 million years old.

The idea that the Earth was millions of years

old was, and to some, still is a controversial notion.

So in the second edition, Darwin backed off this declaration

a bit, stating that the Earth had to be

at least 100 million years old.

By the third edition, Darwin dropped any mention

of geologic time altogether.

Even a theory as convincing as the theory of evolution

sometimes needs a little PR to truly influence the world.

Luckily, Charles Darwin had several allies on his side.

A popular article printed in The British Unitarian National

Review praised Darwin and his battle against absurd dogma

and was written by his personal friend, William Carpenter.

A reviewer for The Times didn't understand science at all,

so he let Thomas Huxley write his review

on The Origin of Species.

Darwin's bulldog produced such a glowing recommendation

of the theory of evolution that the review became one

of Darwin's prized possessions.

Charles Darwin was an educated man,

and that meant there were plenty of former teachers

of his around to share their opinions about him

as an individual and as a theorist.

One of his most prominent former educators, Reverend Adam

Sedgwick of the University of Cambridge,

denounced the findings, stating essentially

that life would be pointless without providence.

Another former teacher, however, put a much more positive spin

on things.

Robert Edmond Grant, who had taught

Darwin about invertebrates at the University of Edinburgh,

said to his former student, "with one

fell swoop of the wand of truth, you

have now scattered to the winds the pestilential vapors

accumulated by species mongers."

Boy, what a catchy pull quote.

The Captain of the HMS Beagle, which

had ferried Charles Darwin to the Galapagos Islands,

was Robert Fitzroy.

Fitzroy was a prominent religious theorist

and a biblical literalist who was

known for arguing that Noah's Ark definitely happened,

and that dinosaurs went extinct because they couldn't

fit on the boat.

Obviously, when Darwin published his theory of evolution,

Fitzroy was not impressed.

He became one of evolution's most vocal opponents,

and once became so incensed at a debate on the subject

that he stood up and shouted with a Bible held

over his head.

Fitzroy's personal role in Darwin's discovery

would haunt him for the rest of his days,

and eventually, took his own life.

Although Protestantism and Anglicanism had long since

taken root in England, the Catholic Church

was still seen as the pre-eminent religious power

in Europe.

The Vatican was obviously aware of the publication

of Darwin's work, but perhaps hoping

the whole thing would just go away on its own,

they declined to make an official statement on evolution

until decades later.

A council of Catholic bishops was convened in Germany in 1860

and they provided the most official and noncommittal

Catholic opinion on the matter, stating

that Darwin's theory was clearly opposed to sacred scripture

and to the faith.

Their main contention with his work

was the idea that humans evolved from apes.

With the battle lines drawn and tensions high on both sides,

the stage was set for a major clash between Darwin supporters

and Darwin detractors.

They would settle it in the usual academic fashion,

with a massive, no holds barred, Mortal Kombat

style martial arts competition.

That would have been cool.

But what they actually did is just

held a vigorous debate at a distinguished institution

of learning.

The location was Oxford, and the time

was June, 1860, less than a year after the theory's

initial publication.

Darwin did not attend due to illness.

But his close ally, Thomas Huxley

did, and had it out with Samuel Wilberforce, the Bishop

of Oxford.

Both sides thought they won, but history

seems to indicate that Huxley had the stronger argument.

This was the debate during which Robert Fitzroy, the Captain

of the HMS Beagle, held the Bible over his head

and shouted at everyone.

There's some attention-seeking behavior.

It's not about you, Robert.

It's not about you.

Publicly, the debate over the theory of evolution

became a debate between Thomas Huxley and Richard Owen,

who had long been a proponent of creationism.

Owen was fairly progressive as far as the side of the argument

went, and he admitted that Darwin's theories

had some merit to them.

However, he felt personally slighted by Darwin's language

in On the Origin of Species and became

one of its most vocal critics.

Owen loudly criticized Darwin and his disciples,

like Huxley, making frequent light of the fact

that Huxley believed he was descended from an ape.

Huxley shot back something about how he'd rather

be descended from an ape than somebody

like Owen, which presumably was the 19th century

equivalent of a mic drop.

As for Darwin, his theory would be naturally selected

as time went on and has become the most probable and elegant

way of explaining the development of life on Earth

as we know it.

So what do you think?

Do you believe in evolution?

Let us know in the comments below.

And while you're at it, check out some of these other videos

from our Weird History.