NASHVILLE, Tenn. The famed Scopes monkey trial pitted two of the nations foremost celebrity lawyers against one another, but only one of them was memorialized outside the Tennessee courthouse where the landmark case unfolded until now.
On Friday at the Rhea County Courthouse in Dayton the public will behold a 10-foot statue of the rumpled skeptic Clarence Darrow, who argued for evolution in the 1925 trial. It will stand at a respectful distance on the opposite side of the courthouse from an equally huge statue of William Jennings Bryan, the eloquent Christian defender of the biblical account of creation, which was installed in 2005.
The trial that unfolded there nine decades ago garnered national headlines in what historians say started as a publicity stunt for the small town. Formally known as Tennessee vs. John Thomas Scopes, the case generated front-page headlines nationwide and was immortalized in songs, books, plays and movies. Dayton hosts its annual Scopes Trial festival for 10 days, starting Friday, featuring a theatrical production.
Historians say the trial came about after local leaders convinced Scopes, a 24-year-old high school teacher, to answer the American Civil Liberties Unions call for someone who could help challenge Tennessees law that banned teaching evolution. He was found guilty but didnt spend time in jail.
Bryan, a three-time Democratic candidate for president, died just five days after the trial ended.
In Dayton, home of a Christian college thats named for Bryan, its not hard to envision the community accepting a statue venerating the august champion of the faith.
But Darrow is another matter.
Rifts over evolution and creationism continue almost a century later, and the Darrow statue was requested by atheist groups.
Pockets of opposition in the town suggest many Christians still see the science of evolution as clashing with their faith. Dayton resident and minister June Griffin has led much of the backlash against the Darrow statue, citing religious convictions.
This is a hideous monstrosity, Griffin said. And God is not pleased.
Two weeks ago about 20 supporters and 20 protesters clashed peacefully at the courthouse over the statue, said Rhea County Sheriffs Department Special Projects Coordinator Jeff Knight.
Nevertheless, the Darrow statue hasnt drawn teeming crowds in Dayton like the ones that forced some of the 1925 trial proceedings to be moved outdoors.
Regardless of how peoples beliefs differ, the statue helps represent history, said Rhea County historian Pat Guffey. Most people seem OK with it, she added.
I just think that something that is history should stay, or should be put up, no matter what, Guffey said. I dont think we should try to change history.
Philadelphia-based sculptor Zenos Frudakis crafted the new statue, funded largely by $150,000 from the Freedom from Religion Foundation. The group said the project would remedy the imbalance of Bryan standing alone.
Bryan was there as an attorney, a prosecutor, and Clarence Darrow as a defense attorney. And now, the history has been restored, Frudakis said.
Frudakis, an admirer of Darrow, said the sculpture offers an honest look at the lawyer.
He looks like he slept in his suit, which he often did. Sometimes his shirts were torn, Frudakis said of Darrow. He smoked too much. He drank too much. He was a womanizer. I got as much of that as I could in the sculpture. (AP)
Excerpt from:
'Scopes monkey trial' town erects evolution figure's statue - The Philadelphia Tribune
- History of Evolution | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy [Last Updated On: December 9th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 9th, 2016]
- Evolution - Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokmon encyclopedia [Last Updated On: December 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 12th, 2016]
- What is Evolution - explanation and definitions [Last Updated On: December 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 21st, 2016]
- Evolution (2001 film) - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: January 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 28th, 2017]
- EvolutionM.net - Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution | Reviews, News ... [Last Updated On: February 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 1st, 2017]
- YMCA evolution continues at lake - Gaston Gazette [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Ivanka Trump's Beauty Evolution, From 1998 to Today Watch - Us Weekly [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Lumpy, hairy, toe-like fossil could reveal the evolution of molluscs - The Guardian [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- How Evolution Alters Biological Invasions - ScienceBlog.com (blog) [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Cultural evolution and the mutilation of women - The Economist [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Late-night hosts on the evolution of Trump: 'Dickish to dictatorish' - The Guardian [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Gold's Gym Regina rebrands to become Evolution Fitness - Regina Leader-Post [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Incremental Versus Radical Innovation: A Response to Josh Swamidass on Evolution and Cancer - Discovery Institute [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Blockchain: Investment (R)Evolution For Developing Markets - Forbes [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- See the Evolution of the Famed Porsche 911 in 7 Photos - WIRED [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Exhibition charts 500 years of evolution of robots - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- How evolution turned ordinary plants into ravenous meat-eaters - Wired.co.uk [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Are Evolution Fresh Drinks 'Poison'? - snopes.com [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Non-Chromosomal DNA Drives Tumor Evolution - The Scientist [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- Chimpanzee feet allow scientists a new grasp on human foot evolution - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- 'Goldilocks' genes that tell the tale of human evolution hold clues to variety of diseases - Science Daily [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- Pac-Man is Coming to 'The Sandbox Evolution' Next Week - Touch Arcade [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Chimpanzee feet allow scientists a new grasp on human foot ... - Science Daily [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Bacteria sleep, then rapidly evolve, to survive antibiotic treatments - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Orangutan squeaks reveal language evolution, says study - BBC ... - BBC News [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Evolution gives rhyme its reason - Aurora News Register [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Deeper origin of gill evolution suggests 'active lifestyle' link in early vertebrates - Science Daily [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- From Tara Palmer-Tomkinson to Cara Delevingne: the evolution of the It girl - The Guardian [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Banned TED Talk: Rupert Sheldrake The Science Delusion - Collective Evolution [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- VOTD: Watch the Evolution of Keanu Reeves' Acting Career - /FILM [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Pokmon Go Eevee evolution: How to evolve Eevee into Vaporeon, Jolteon and Flareon with new names - Eurogamer.net [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Horse evolution bucks evolutionary theory - Science News [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Samsung's Chromebook Pro highlights the category's continued evolution - TechCrunch [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Scientists solve fish evolution mystery - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Wildfire evolution forces Forest Service into new thinking - The Daily Progress [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- How the horse can help us answer one of evolution's biggest questions - Raw Story [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- A primer on Darwin Day: Some religious groups embrace 'Theistic evolution' - LancasterOnline [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Apple: Evolution of in-car audio tech moving at 'speed of sound ... - Times of India [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Mariska Hargitay's Evolution from '80s Glam to Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - TVOvermind [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Evolution of baseball from power to speed has left SBs behind ... - Chicago Sun-Times [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- More order with less judgment: An optimal theory of the evolution of cooperation - Science Daily [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- J. Albert C. Uy speaks on evolution, biodiversity in bellied flycatcher population - The College Reporter [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- See the Evolution of Movie Magic With Every Oscar Winner for Visual Effects in History - Gizmodo [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Numerology: Here's What Your Name Says About You - Collective Evolution [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- The Evolution of Valentine's Day - Inside Science News Service [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Why evolution may be tech billionaires' biggest enemy - The Week Magazine [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Community Viewpoint: Evolution, like gravity, is much more than theory it is a fact - Kdminer [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- How the horse can help us answer one of evolution's biggest questions - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- How evolution alters biological invasions - Science Daily [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Cockeyed squid shines light on deep sea evolution - Christian Science Monitor [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Eye Evolution: A Closer Look - Discovery Institute [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Evolution always wins: University of Idaho video game uses mutating aliens to teach science concepts - The Spokesman-Review [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Geneticists track the evolution of parenting - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- How this cockeyed squid shines a light on deep sea evolution - Christian Science Monitor [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- 4 Possible Roadmaps For macOS and iOS Evolution - The Mac Observer (blog) [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- The Evolution of the Energy Capital of the World - Texas Monthly [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Humons presents an atypical dance evolution - Detroit Metro Times [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Pokemon Go Adds 80 Generation 2 Pokemon, New Evolution Items This Week - IGN [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Fossil discovery rewrites understanding of reproductive evolution ... - Science Daily [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- 'X-Men: Evolution' Is the Gateway Drug of Comic Book Shows - Geek [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- A cultural catch: Evolution of wooden halibut hooks carved by native ... - Science Daily [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- Bremerton's Fitness Evolution now Planet Fitness - Kitsap Sun (blog) [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- Eye Evolution: The Waiting Is the Hardest Part - Discovery Institute [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- Evolution Of The Yeezy: 2009-2017 - HotNewHipHop [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- Prebiotic evolution: Hairpins help each other out - Science Daily [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- This 'Live Birth' Fossil Could Change Humanity's Understanding Of Evolution - Daily Caller [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- Mysterious Ancient Stonehenge-Like Circles Found in Amazon Rainforest - Collective Evolution [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- 'Pokemon Go': How to Evolve Poliwhirl Into Politoed - Heavy.com [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- 'Pokemon Go': How to Evolve Slowpoke Into Slowbro or Slowking - Heavy.com [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- 'Pokemon Go': How to Evolve Gloom Into Bellossom - Heavy.com [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Pokmon Go Dragon Scale - how to evolve Seadra into Kingdra and how to get the Dragon Scale - Eurogamer.net [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Pokmon Go Eevee evolution: How to evolve Eevee into Umbreon, Espeon, Vaporeon, Jolteon and Flareon with new ... - Eurogamer.net [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- University of Pittsburgh guest speaker discloses evolution findings - UTA The Shorthorn [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- 'Pokemon Go' Special Items: Drop Rates for Evolution Items & Berries at Pokestops - Heavy.com [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- How Vedic Philosophy Influenced Nikola Tesla's Idea of 'Free Energy' - Collective Evolution [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Migration to America took long enough for evolution to happen on the way - Ars Technica [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- How To Choose Your Eevee Evolution In 'Pokmon GO:' Umbreon And Espeon Edition - Forbes [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Evolution Items - IGN [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Congo River fish evolution shaped by intense rapids: Genomic study ... - Science Daily [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Pokmon Go - How to evolve, use Special Items, when to evolve or Power Up your Pokmon - Eurogamer.net [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]