Thomas+H.+Huxley

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Thomas Huxley (1825-1895)
Thomas Huxley was one of the earliest supporter of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. Born on May 4 1825 Huxley received only two years of education in his childhood.Despite this, Huxley was able to teach himself sciences and earn a medical apprenticeship. At the age of 21 Huxley became an assistant surgeon on the H.M.S Rattlesnake, a ship assigned to chart the sea around Australia. On this voyage Huxley began studying marine invertebrates, and sending his research back to England. When he returned to England he found that his work had been read and admired. In 1854 Huxley was appointed professor at the School of Mines in London. IN 1856vhe met Charles Darwin. Thomas Huxley became one of the largest advocates for Darwin's theory of evolution and helped the theory to gain more acceptance in the scientific community. In 1860 Huxley participated in a debate with Archbishop Samuel Wilberforce who was under the coaching of Richard Owen. This debate is considered to have introduced many scientists of the time to the theory of evolution and its probability. Huxley did, however, disagree with some aspects of Darwin's theory. Huxley believed that evolutionary leaps- times where evolution would occur rapidly rather than gradually- existed. IN 1863 Huxley published his book entitled, "Evidence as to Man's Place in Nature". This book was the first major publication devoted to the idea of humans and apes descending from a common ancestor. Huxley continued to lecture about these ideas until he died in 1895.



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BBC - History - Historic Figures: Thomas Henry Huxley (1825 - 1895). (n.d.). //BBC - Homepage //. Retrieved January 17, 2013, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figur Image Sources:

Thomas Huxley the Scientist, biography, facts and quotes. (n.d.). //FixQuotes - Get all quotes as a stylish FaceBook TimeLine Cover Photo //. Retrieved January 17, 2013, from http://fixquotes.com/authors/thomas-huxley.htm

Whipple Library: Darwin anniversary book display. (n.d.). //History and Philosophy of Science, University of Cambridge //. Retrieved January 17, 2013, from http://www.hps.cam.ac.uk/library/darwin/