Huxley, Thomas Henry (1825-1895), was a famous British zoologist, lecturer, and writer. He was one of the first scientists to accept Charles Darwin’s analysis of organic evolution, and he extended and defended it (see Darwin, Charles R. ). Through lectures, writings, and public service, he helped advance scientific thought.
Huxley’s writings include Evidence as to Man’s Place in Nature (1863) and A Manual of the Anatomy of Invertebrated Animals (1877). His essay “On a Piece of Chalk” (1868) and his essay about changes in the limbs and teeth of fossil horses are outstanding presentations in support of evolution. Many of Huxley’s expressions became famous. He introduced the word agnostic to describe one who rejects any conclusion that cannot be clearly demonstrated, including beliefs in the existence of God or a spiritual world. He coined the word biogenesis to emphasize that life arises only from previous life (see Biogenesis ).
Huxley was born on May 4, 1825, near London, and he studied by himself until he entered medical school. He became a surgeon in the British Navy and spent four years in the Indian Ocean and East Indies. During these years, Huxley wrote a pioneering account of jellyfishes, and he returned to England in 1850 to find that he had become famous. Huxley taught natural history at the Government School of Mines (later the Royal School of Mines) beginning in 1854. He was president of the Royal Society from 1881 to 1885. He died on June 29, 1895.
