Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin was the first person to theorize how life came to be on our planet. His theory states that all organisms living on earth today descended from one common ancestor. His theory also explains how these living things altered their genetic code to better suit their environment. The theory derives from the geographical distribution of the species from across the world.
"Natural selection acts only by taking advantage of slight successive variations; she can never take a great and sudden leap, but must advance by short and sure, though slow steps... If it could be demonstrated that any complex organ existed, which could not possibly have been formed by numerous, successive, slight modifications, my theory would absolutely break down." -Charles Darwin
"Natural selection acts only by taking advantage of slight successive variations; she can never take a great and sudden leap, but must advance by short and sure, though slow steps... If it could be demonstrated that any complex organ existed, which could not possibly have been formed by numerous, successive, slight modifications, my theory would absolutely break down." -Charles Darwin
Clarence Darrow
Clarence Darrow would represent John Scopes during the trial. Darrow was a highly respected lawyer during the 1920's. He had a history of defending unpopular people and radical ideas (Menton). These cases that he took seemed impossible to win, but he always found a way to achieve victory (Menton).
William Jennings Bryan
William Jennings Bryan would be representing the state of Tennessee. Bryan was a well known politician and a lawyer during the 1920's. Bryan's rise to fame began when he became a leader in the anti-evolution movement (Adams). His most famous quote during his leadership was, "It is better to trust in the Rock of Ages than to know the ages of the rocks" (Pierce).
John T Scopes
John Scopes was a substitute biology teacher in Dayton, Tennessee. When the ACLU asked him to go against the Butler Act to take it to court, he agreed to do so (Digital History).