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Thomas Huxley and Samuel Wilberforce, Bishop of Oxford, were among the prominent figures discussing Charles Darwin\u2019s theory of evolution at the Oxford University Museum on 30th June 1860; an encounter sometimes referred to as \u2018The Great Debate\u2019.\xa0\nThe confrontation is best remembered for a heated exchange in which Wilberforce supposedly asked Huxley whether it was through his grandfather or his grandmother that he claimed his descent from a monkey. Huxley is said to have replied that he would not be ashamed to have a monkey for his ancestor, but he would be ashamed to be connected with a man who used his great gifts to obscure the truth.\nIn this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain how both men came to believe they had \u2018won\u2019 the \u2018debate\u2019; trace back the origins of the men\u2019s nicknames \u2018Darwin\u2019s Bulldog\u2019 and \u2018Soapy Sam\u2019; and consider whether Darwin himself was keen on causing such controversy\u2026\nFurther Reading:\n\u2022 \u2018The Great Debate\u2019 (Oxford University Museum of Natural History): https://oumnh.ox.ac.uk/great-debate\n\u2022 \u2018Did Huxley really mop the floor with Wilberforce?\u2019 (National Geographic, 2008): https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/repost-did-huxley-really-mop-the-floor-with-wilberforce\n\u2022 \u2018Darwin\u2019s Dangerous Idea\u2019 (PBS, 2012): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=povYofKYqJM\n\xa0\n#Science #Victorian #UK\nWe'll be back on Monday - unless you join\xa0\U0001f334CLUB RETROSPECTORS\U0001f334, where we give you ad-free listening AND a full-length Sunday episode every week!\nPlus, weekly bonus content, unlock over 70 bonus bits, and support our independent podcast.\nJoin now via\xa0Apple Podcasts\xa0or\xa0Patreon.\xa0Thanks!\n\xa0\nThe Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.\nTheme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Sophie King.\nCopyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2023.\n Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices