The renowned debate on evolution between T. H. Huxley and Samuel Wilberforce occurred at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History on June 30, 1860. This event marked a significant point in the public conversation about Darwin’s theory of evolution. Although the precise details may vary, it is well-known for a spirited exchange in which Wilberforce, the Bishop of Oxford, challenged Huxley regarding his opinions on human descent from primates. Huxley famously replied that he would prefer to have an ape as an ancestor rather than someone who lacked intellectual integrity. This interaction is frequently referenced as an illustration of the struggle between science and religion.

The primary participants were biologist Thomas Henry Huxley and Samuel Wilberforce, the Bishop of Oxford.

Wilberforce, recognized for his eloquent speaking, reportedly inquired of Huxley whether he would prefer to trace his lineage back to an ape via his maternal or paternal grandparent. Huxley famously shot back that he would choose to be descended from an ape rather than from a man who misused his intellectual abilities to mock a serious scientific dialogue. Though the debate wasn’t recorded in detail, it is remembered for its intellectual fervor and for establishing evolution as a key scientific theory. It has become emblematic of the ongoing conflict between science and religion, even though some historians argue that it wasn’t initially perceived as a critical turning point. The debate remains a reference point for a significant moment in the history of science and its interaction with religious ideologies.